Don Nickles: “in the time since major combat in Iraq has ended and peacekeeping and transitional operations have begun, the United…”

“in the time since major combat in Iraq has ended and peacekeeping and transitional operations have begun, the United States, our allies and the Iraqi people have accomplished much. The men and women of our armed forces in particular deserve much praise for their diligence and bravery. They have been given the goal of establishing democracy in Iraq, and their success in this endeavor is directly linked to the freedom and security we enjoy in the homeland. A free and democratic Iraq will stand as a beacon of hope amidst one of the world's most troubled regions. Fortunately we are now seeing many of the fruits of their labor. Nearly 760,000 metric tons of food items have been dispatched into Iraq in just one month's time. Health care centers are receiving shipments of health care kits, refrigerators and furniture. Shipments of office supplies including furniture, computers and printers have been received in Iraq and will be used to equip seven essential government ministries. The Iraqi people are stepping up to provide leadership for their newly liberated country. Crops are being successfully planted in areas that have not produced for years. Iraqis are volunteering for the new Iraqi Army. The Iraqi Nurses Association has initiated a two-day conference to lay the ground work for adequate nursing services in Iraq over the next ten years and close to 30,000 Iraqis have undergone training to be members of Iraq's new police force.”