Congressman Phil Gingrey made the following statement today on the occasion of the Iraqi National Assembly’s inaugural session:

“I commend the Iraqi National Assembly on convening their inaugural session today.  This is an exciting day for the Iraqi people, and for people around the globe who yearn for freedom.

“In January, Iraqi citizens braved terrorist threats and bodily harm to turn out at the polls in amazing numbers. Today, the fruits of their labor are evident, and the Iraqi people finally live in a free and democratic society.

“National Assembly President Jalal Talabani choose a significant day to convene the Assembly. On March 16, 1988 – 17 years ago today – Saddam Hussein massacred 5,000 innocent Kurdish men, women and children in the Iraqi town of Halabja.  By convening the Assembly on this tragic anniversary, President Talabani is showing the stark difference between life under Saddam’s brutal regime and life under the new, democratic National Assembly.

“Today’s events are encouraging not only to Iraqis, but to people struggling for freedom around the world.  We’ve seen how the historic elections in Iraq and Afghanistan have inspired change in Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. As democracy begins to take root in the Middle East, I want to thank the Iraqi people who courageously risked their lives to vote for a better future.

“I offer my sincerest congratulations to the Iraqi people on this historic and symbolic occasion.  Seeing Iraqi men – and women – enjoy their newfound freedom is a solemn reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a free nation.”

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