Thomas Daschle: “2 months ago, I traveled with some of our other Senate colleagues to Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations. We…”

“2 months ago, I traveled with some of our other Senate colleagues to Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations. We wanted to see what progress is being made in the war against terrorism. We also wanted to talk with our allies in the region to try to assess how we might help make their nations hospitable to freedom-- and inhospitable to terrorists. We learned a great deal. I have already had a chance to share many of my thoughts and observations with Secretary Powell. Today, I would like to say a few words publicly about the part of our trip that I found the most moving and impressive: the other Americans we met--men and women who are serving our Nation's interests every day in places far from home--often under incredibly challenging conditions. We met extraordinary people from almost every State. They all deserve our profound appreciation. I was especially moved by five people I met from my own State. Listening to them, and watching them perform their jobs, made me very proud to be a South Dakotan. It also reinforced my conviction that we will triumph in the war against terrorism.”