Wicker Statement on the End of the U.S. Combat Mission in Iraq
August 31, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq:
“The United States has the strongest and best-led military in the world. I am proud of the courage and excellence of the men and women in uniform that helped pave the way for Iraq’s ongoing transition to a more stable democracy.
“We have made great economic and security advancements in Iraq. The country is now the 12th fastest growing economy in the world and it is anticipated that the country will have a budget surplus in the coming years. As a result of American security training, violence is down 90 percent since the troop surge, and there are now more than 600,000 Iraqi police officers and soldiers.
“There have been many factors that have contributed to the progress made in Iraq, but it would not have been possible without the determination of President George W. Bush and his administration. It was the success of President Bush’s troop surge in 2007 that allowed his administration to sign the security agreement with Iraq that would end our overall presence in the country.
“Although the U.S. combat mission in Iraq comes to an end today, our work is not done. We should honor the sacrifices of those who served by not turning our backs on the efforts and progress made. President Obama should work to ensure that our hard-won gains from the surge policy, and the bravery and sacrifices of our troops since then, are not lost.”
“I pray for the safe return of our troops and for the men and women moving on to fight for our country in Afghanistan.”
# # #
