FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Isakson on U.S. Role in Iraq:
‘What We’re Doing Is Right’
Isakson Trip to Guantanamo, Attendance At Funeral of GA Soldier
Prove That U.S. Must Stay the Course for Freedom, Democracy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today said his visit on Sunday to Guantanamo and his attendance on Saturday at the funeral of a Georgia soldier who died in Iraq reiterated for him how important it is that America stay the course in Iraq.

“What we’re doing in Iraq is right. It’s not only right morally but it’s right for the future of peace and freedom and democracy,” Isakson said in a speech on the Senate floor.

Isakson visited Guantanamo on Sunday and said he was struck by how much better the prisoners there are being treated as compared with how their treatment is being portrayed in the media. Isakson met with two Georgia soldiers who are serving as guards at Guantanamo who urged him to tell the American people the truth about the conditions there and about the critical intelligence the U.S. is obtaining from the prisoners being held there.

“I hope in some small way the message I brought back from those valiant soldiers will help us to remain, to stay the course against the war on terror, for democracy and freedom and in support of this country, its leadership and the liberty and freedom we all cherish and love,” Isakson said. “They are guarding the people that would take the lives of your loved ones and mine.”

Isakson also spoke about attending the funeral of 1 st Lt. Noah Harris on Saturday in Ellijay where about 1,000 people came to honor the 23-year-old fallen soldier who died in Iraq. Isakson told of how Harris’ father asked at the funeral if we’ve forgotten 9/11.

“Have we forgotten that since that day there hasn’t been an attack on American soil? We went after terror wherever it exists and our nation has been safer,” Isakson said.

Please click here to read Isakson's entire speech.

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