December 15, 2005—Today, Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) commended the Iraqi people for holding an overwhelmingly successful national election on the heels of the constitutional referendum in October.  Votes were cast for 275 individuals who will serve four-year terms as members of the national Council of Representatives.  The Council of Representatives will select a presidency council and a cabinet of ministers.  The new government is expected to be seated by December 31, 2005.

“The human spirit has proven its strength today.  Facing the threat of terrorist attacks, the Iraqi people made the choice of freedom.  Fear could not stop them, because the will to be free of domineering tyranny and dictatorship meant so much more.”  Franks continued, “Today, when millions of Iraqi citizens flooded the polling places, they were saying to the terrorists and the world that they have a sincere desire for freedom.  These are people who have suffered under oppression and bondage since their country was called Babylon.”

“Today was a monumental day for the citizens of Iraq and I applaud them for actively participating in the future of their country,” said Franks.  “For all the liberal-minded critics of the War in Iraq, this is your clear and undeniable sign that progress has been made.”

Franks added that the Iraqi Security Forces continue to train and are increasingly responsible for providing security; Iraqi citizens are at work rebuilding infrastructure and economic institutions; and today, Iraq’s newly representative and democratic political infrastructure has been re-enforced with the voice of the Iraqi electorate.

“As we monitor the election returns today, I echo the President’s plan and share his resolve that we will not abandon the Iraqi people as they rebuild their country.” 

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.