Orrin Hatch: “I rise today to speak of the historic Iraqi elections and the President's message last night. This past Sunday, the…”

“I rise today to speak of the historic Iraqi elections and the President's message last night. This past Sunday, the world watched as millions of Iraqi people headed to the polls to participate in their first free election in more than 50 years. In doing so, the Iraqis defied the terrorists and they risked their lives for what was, for most, the first exercise of democracy in their lifetimes. Not only did the Iraqi people defy the terrorists, but they defied the skeptics--some of whom could be found in Iraq itself, many others throughout the international community, and, disappointingly, even here at home. Many said that the elections were too soon, that the Iraqi people wouldn't dare come out of their homes to vote, and worse, that the Iraqi people weren't ready and didn't desire freedom. Though the votes have yet to be tallied, the millions of Iraqi voters that turned out on Sunday underscore the truism that people desire to be free. And one of the most fundamental political freedoms is the freedom to choose your government. What we saw on Sunday should not surprise Americans: When given the opportunity to be in charge of their own destiny, citizens of all nations will not only turn out in great numbers, but they are willing to sacrifice their own lives for the opportunity to live in a free society.”