James Sensenbrenner, October 17, 2003

American troops have fought diligently to rid Iraq of its evil dictator and oppressive government. Since the completion of major combat, the United States has stayed true to its mission of rebuilding the critical infrastructure, and instituting a democratic government in Iraq.

We cannot expect to proceed in the rebuilding of Iraq without encountering resistance from remaining Saddam loyalists, criminals, and terrorist groups. The American media constantly remind us that our troops continue to struggle with eliminating the remaining terrorist cells with morning headlines that read: "One more dead in the war in Iraq," and "Another American soldier killed." It is only right for Americans to mourn our casualties overseas, and we must not downplay the loss of any American lives. However, Americans also deserve to be informed of the positive progress our troops have made in Baghdad and elsewhere.

At the forefront of the rebuilding effort is the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). The CPA, led by Ambassador Paul Bremer, is working closely with the Iraqi Governing Council, the United Nations, and the international community, to restore prosperity and democracy to the Iraqi people. Currently, the CPA is in control of the governmental affairs of Iraq. However, that control is slowly being handed over to the Governing Council of the Interim Administration, which is working to establish a functional constitution. Representing the major sections in Iraqi society, the Governing Council is made up of 25 civilians, three of whom are women.

For years, Saddam’s regime excluded women from playing a role in Iraq’s society. The Coalition is making sure that women are included in all aspects of the rebuilding process. Iraqi women are now allowed to train in police academies and universities. In addition, the State Department was instrumental in sending a delegation of Iraqi women to the 2003 Global Summit of Women Conference in Morocco. It was the first of its kind ever held in the Arab world.

Restoring Iraq’s health care facilities has proven to be a major task for Coalition members, considering that Saddam Hussein steered funds that should have been used for medical supplies directly into his military and personal palaces. The Coalition, along with other organizations like the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has come a very long way in restoring critical health care facilities and providing medical supplies to the Iraqi people.

The children of Iraq have also been under the protection of the CPA. Saddam’s former regime used schools to stock-pile its arsenal of weapons, leaving many in disrepair. The Coalition completely refurbished 1,061 schools, and it is awaiting the inspection of another 723. Although there is much more work to be accomplished on the education front, the CPA has reopened every Iraqi university. Moreover, the UN and USAID have established a "back to school" campaign that has successfully delivered 1,500 kits with book bags, notebooks, pens and pencils to over 120,000 students in Baghdad, and they plan to deliver 1.2 million more for the upcoming school year.

America deserves to hear the entire story relative to the war in Iraq. Our troops have disposed of Saddam’s regime, and have effectively begun to rebuild the country. It would be welcome news to my constituents if the media would discuss some of these positive accomplishments in Iraq. By hearing both sides of the story, Americans can judge for themselves the merits of our efforts in Iraq, and whether or not the War on Terrorism is succeeding.

James Sensenbrenner is a Republican Member of Congress representing the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin. He chairs of the House Judiciary Committee.