Congressman Cohen Returns from Iraq Study Mission, Praises Troops
Press Release
Congressman Cohen Returns from Iraq Study Mission, Praises Troops
Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) returned to Washington from a Congressional fact-finding mission to Iraq. Congressman Cohen and four other members of Congress attended military briefings in Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, and then visited wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. During the mission, Congressman Cohen met with many soldiers, including several from Tennessee.
Congressman Cohen stated, "Speaker Pelosi asked Congressman Allen Boyd (FL-02) to put together a congressional delegation, specifically with freshmen members of Congress. I was honored to be asked to join the delegation and am thankful to Speaker Pelosi for providing this opportunity."
Congressman Cohen continued, "It was a moving experience to meet with the troops in the environment where they are serving. I was so impressed with the dedication, professionalism and dignity with which our soldiers are serving, most of whom seem very young to someone my age. Seeing the fresh faces of the young men and women, living each day in harm's way, was heartrending."
The delegation met with U.S. General David Petraeus, Iraq War Commander, for a question and answer session. Congressman Cohen posed a question that a soldier had requested that he ask General Petraeus regarding munitions from Iran.
The delegation also met with Iraq Prime Minister Jawad al-Maliki. Congressman Cohen said, "I was surprised when the Prime Minister said the sectarian war was over. I asked him when it had ended because I hadn't heard about it."
The delegation concluded their mission with a stop in Germany to visit wounded soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Congressman Cohen stated, "Monday we met a critically wounded soldier who lost his leg to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Friday. It's hard to comprehend that this young man was healthy and whole just a few days ago and his life will never be the same."
Source