Pelosi Statement on President Obama's Address to the Nation on the End of Combat Operations in Iraq

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Aug 31, 2010, 08:39 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement tonight after President Obama's Oval Office address to the nation about the end of our combat mission in Iraq, the drawdown of U.S. forces, and the transition to a civilian-led mission and to full Iraqi responsibility over their own country:

"Tonight, President Obama marked the end of combat operations in Iraq, keeping his promise to responsibly end this war. In doing so, we are moving closer to the day when Iraq's future rests solely in the hands of the Iraqi people.

"We open this new chapter knowing that American troops remain on the ground, advising, assisting, and training Iraq's security personnel. We honor their continued sacrifice; we offer them our gratitude and pledge to keep providing them with the equipment, tools, armor, and other resources needed to complete their mission – and the services they need when they come home.

"At this extraordinary moment, our thoughts turn to all of the brave men and women who have served in the war, doing everything asked of them, and performing excellently. A grateful nation mourns those who gave their last full measure of devotion on the battlefield. We honor the service of all of our veterans, as well as the sacrifice of each of their families, by ensuring they receive state-of-the-art medical care, get a full four-year college education, have a better shot at a good job, and move toward the brighter future they have earned."

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SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House