Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Anderson Herald Bulletin runs Pence column thanking Hoosiers for 'Operation Holiday Greeting'
Click here to read the column.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Muncie Star Press runs Pence guest column
Monday, December 20, 2004
Pence to appear on CNN's Inside Politics today
Congressman Pence will discuss President Bush's legislative agenda with CNN's Judy Woodruff on today's edition of Inside Politics.
Inside Politics airs on CNN from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST.
USA Today examines conservatives' role in the coming year
Two stories found in today's edition of USA Today take a look at the conservative agenda for the 109th Congress, and what conservatives' relationship with the president will be during his second term.
Cincinnati Enquirer recounts highlights of Pence's trip overseas
Friday, December 17, 2004
Pence to appear on Fox News' Weekend Live tomorrow
Congressman Pence will be in studio with anchor Tony Snow on Fox News’ Weekend Live tomorrow, Saturday, December 18 at noon EST to discuss his trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Click here to read more about Fox's Weekend Live program.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Pence to appear on Fox News' Dayside today
Congressman Pence will appear on Fox News’ Dayside with Linda Vester today at 1:00 p.m. EST to discuss hit trip to Afghanistan. Pence just returned from Afghanistan where he met with President Hamid Karzai and visited U.S. military personnel stationed there.
Click here to read more about Fox's Dayside program.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Update: media coverage of Pence trip overseas
Click on the links found below to read more about what Congressman Pence has been doing on his trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Indianapolis Star
Columbus Republic
Pence update: Operation Holiday Greeting
Final day: Operation Holiday Greeting: Mission Accomplished
On Veterans Day 2004, I announced that I would be leading a group of congressmen to visit our troops in Afghanistan just three years after Operation Enduring Freedom ended the reign of the Taliban and the sanctuary of Osama Bin Laden. I decided to go during the summer of 2004 when I learned that our Indiana National Guard accounts for more than 15 percent of the 10,000 National Guard troops serving in Afghanistan. I couldn't think of a better place to spend the holidays than with our neighbors serving in the Guard on freedom's frontier.
To make the trip a little more special, I asked Hoosiers to send me greeting cards that I could deliver to the troops so that they could experience a touch of home during the Holiday season. I called it "Operation Holiday Greeting" and with the generous help of newspapers, television and radio stations across Indiana, we got the word out.
In the few weeks between the announcement and our trip, we thought that we'd hear from a few thousand folks. Boy, were we wrong.In the two weeks that followed the announcement, our office received more than 25,000 holiday greeting cards! They came from children and seniors, from cities and rural areas. In virtually every card, there were a few handwritten words of gratitude for the soldier who might read it on the other side of the world.
To all of you who wrote and sent cards from your kitchen tables, churches, schools and senior centers, I am writing to say: "Mission accomplished!" Everywhere we went, your cards went with us. From Camp Phoenix outside Kabul, to Bagram Air Force Base to the Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany, your cards were passed out by the fist-full to men and women eager to hear from home. Every time I handed the cards to soldiers, I'd say, "We got 25,000 of these for you in two weeks!" And each would smile with amazement and delight. Often the recipients in uniform would ask, "Really?” and, "Do they really know that we're here?" To which I would reply, "25,000 in two weeks." Case closed.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I would encourage anyone who took the time to respond to Operation Holiday Greeting to visit my website at www.mikepence.house.gov and see the reaction of the soldiers for yourself. The impact of your kindness is visible on every soldier’s face.
While it was special to see thousands of brave soldiers in Afghanistan delight at your cards, my favorite moment came at the military hospital in Germany where our soldiers are taken as soon as they can be moved from the battlefield. It's always tough to be in the hospital and for these heroes it's no different. Having the privilege of leaving each of them with a stack of your cards was special, but I was most touched by one particular soldier in the intensive care unit.
He was lying on his back with a tube in his throat, lost in a web of hoses and cables, but the doctors told me I could speak to him. He looked up at me with dull eyes as I spoke of the gratitude of the people of Indiana, but he gave me very little reaction. But when I brought out a stack of the cards and held them a few inches above his face and told him what I had told hundreds of other soldiers, "I got 25,000 of these in two weeks," that brave soldier started to cry. And so did I.
As I left the room, I touched his bare shoulder and breathed a prayer that God might reward his selflessness with healing and I thought what a privilege it was to carry your mail.
May each of you that responded to Operation Holiday Greeting know that your efforts were not in vain. You touched hearts. You encouraged heroes. It is such a privilege to represent people like you in Washington, D.C.
- Rep. Mike Pence, Kabul, Afghanistan
Monday, December 13, 2004
Pence update: visit to Afghanistan
Day three: President Karzai, The Soldiers and The Hooch
Kabul, Afghanistan:
We arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan by C-130 cargo plane and made our way through this war-torn city, teeming with people, barricades and barbed wire, and made our way to the immense presidential palace of President Hamid Karzai. Our delegation was the first to meet with the President since his inauguration this past Tuesday and we expected him to be brief and tired from the ordeal of the past week. How wrong we were! After being escorted into his private office, we were greeted by an affable and humorous man who was anxious to see us and express his gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of the United States of America.
President Karzai said again and again, “Please congratulate the people of the United States on our success. We see our success as your success.” He also repeatedly made the point that, “the people of Afghanistan love the American people and want the United States here.” President Karzai is his nation’s “indispensable man” and when speaking with him, one is left with the indelible sense that Afghanistan will succeed largely because this gracious, intelligent and humble man is leading it.
From the presidential palace we motorcaded to Camp Phoenix where over 1000 Hoosier Army National Guard are stationed. General Morehead greeted us at the base headquarters and explained the crucial role that Hoosiers are playing in training the Afghan National Army and supporting the Reconstruction efforts around the country. Our visit was official but, thanks to 25,000 Hoosiers who took time to send holiday cards as part of our “Operation Holiday Greeting,” it was also deeply personal.
As soon as our briefing ended, Congressman Chris Chocola and I went to work lugging several heavy boxes of greeting cards to a table in the main courtyard. Our entire delegation went to work passing out greeting cards to waiting troops in the courtyard and the mess hall and the response was moving. Time after time, tired-looking soldiers’ faces would brighten as we repeated, “25,000 in two weeks” and, “people back in Indiana are grateful.” The common reply was often a humble, “Really? They really know what we’re doing?” One soldier was deeply moved as he opened a greeting card from a child and a one-dollar bill fell out! I told almost all the soldiers I met of my conversation with President Bush last Monday at the White House. When I told him that I was going to Afghanistan and that almost 15 percent of the National Guard there were Hoosiers, the President replied, “That’s why it’s goin’ so well!” They loved it!
To all of you who took the time to support Operation Holiday Greeting at your school or church or senior center or on your own kitchen table, mission accomplished! I think we touched hearts and I couldn’t be more grateful for what each of you took time to do.
From Camp Phoenix we took a roller coaster helicopter ride on a CH-53 Super Stallion through the mountains around Jalalabad and touched down in the rain at the Provision Reconstruction Team manned my American personnel in Jalalabad. There we learned from Hoosier Lt. Colonel Edward Jordan of the role our Indiana troops are playing in standing up the Afghan Army and aiding the local population with elections and basic human services. We made our way to a school at the base and were surrounded by hundreds of 9-year-old boys anxious to try out their english language skills and shake hands. The children got to me the most. Seeing what our troops are bringing to these beautiful little children in food, clothing and education is, as I said so many times to soldiers, “the Lord’s work.” I also met many members of the Afghan Army and saw the genuine camaraderie between U.S. and Afghan forces. The affection between both was real and moving. We are forging real and lasting ties at the ground level and Hoosiers are making the difference.
The day ended with briefings at the command headquarters in Kabul with our delegation being given keys to our individual hooches. A hooch, as I came to learn, is the standard base accommodation here at the embassy compound and is comprised of about an 8-foot by 15-foot room with bed, sink, toilet and shower. We walked to our quarters with the three Star General, General Barno, who runs the theatre of operations...he went to his hooch, we went to ours.
We were told that we are the first congressional delegation to be permitted to overnight here in Afghanistan since the start of the war and one of a very few members of Congress to ever be permitted to spend the night with the troops in a combat area and we all felt a great sense of privilege to be able, for just 24 hours, to identify with the brave men and women who serve here under the flag of the United States. Thank you for the privilege of representing you here. Afghanistan is succeeding only because the finest troops in the world, many from Indiana, are here making it possible for these good people.
Rep. Mike Pence, Embassy Compound, Kabul, Afghanistan
Friday, December 10, 2004
Pence update: Day two in Pakistan
Day Two: Standoff at the Khyber Pass
Our day began with the sound of sunrise prayers rising over the morning fog of the ancient border city of Peshawar, Pakistan. Driving through the staggering poverty of this city, which included refugee camps of mud-brick buildings that were home to some 50,000 Afghan refugees, we came to the splendor of the residence of the regional governor. This opulent white mansion was a left over from British colonial rule and was surrounded by hundreds of guards who snapped to attention as our motorcade sped by.
Governor Shah received us with candor and grace and spoke of the challenges that he faced in the governance of the tribal areas of northern Pakistan. His military staff briefed us on military operations in Waziristan which resulted in the capture or death of hundreds of terrorists along with over 200 Pakistan military casualties. At the close of our meeting, I spoke to the governor about the fact that the television crew traveling with us had been denied access to the tribal areas that we would visit later in the day. Governor Shah assured me that he would “give the green light” to our entire delegation, including the television crew…famous last words.
We drove in our motorcade of military vehicles and Suburbans to the border of the tribal areas. Fifteen miles south of the historic Khyber Pass our journey almost came to an end.
Despite our assurances from the governor, the border personnel refused to clear us through with the embedded media. That is where the standoff began. As hundreds of locals gathered at this squalid intersection of abject poverty, our diplomatic staff talked and the border guards talked and we sat. More military showed up along with lots more spectators.
The diplomatic staff asked me if I would be willing to allow our delegation to proceed through the checkpoint while they remained with the media but I had no peace about that. I was sure that the governor had given us the go ahead and I was sure that if we left part of our group behind that they would never make the crossing. When encouraged to pass without them, we respectfully informed the guards that we were “willing to wait for the governor to call.”
An anxious hour passed and the cell phone rang with Governor Shah on the line. We were quickly escorted into the tribal areas with our entire group, as we drove past a sign that read, “Entry of foreigners is not permitted beyond this point.”
The rest of our day was inspiring but much less dramatic. We helped lay bricks at a new school being built with US tax dollars and were greeted warmly by faculty and children in the far-flung tribal region. We ended the day at the garrison of the famed Khyber Rifles, the security force for the Khyber Pass. As the pictures on the headquarters wall attested, we had been preceded to this place by presidents and kings and conquerors. I will never forget this day or the good and decent people of the tribal areas of Pakistan that we met after the standoff at Khyber Pass.
- Rep. Mike Pence, Islamabad, Pakistan
Pence update from visit to Pakistan
Pakistan: Day One
We arrived in Islamabad early Thursday in the midst of a crisp, Pakistan December morning. After a briefing at the American Embassy, we headed out to visit a fundamentalist Islamic school for men ages 15-25 called a Madrassa. In Pakistan, there are some 15,000 such schools, many of which would never allow westerners to visit. The Madrassa we visited was quite different and the leader of that spiritual sect, the religious leadership, the teachers and the students were very kind and hospitable to us. They spoke with great kindness of the common ground of faith in God, family and economic opportunity to which our peoples aspire. In addition to very traditional Islamic spiritual education, they showed us a wonderful curriculum that included mathematics, science, language, history and computer programming. These people are clearly dedicated to their vocation and their students and we were all deeply moved by their hospitality and gracious reception.
We then made our way to an elementary school supported by American tax dollars through the USAID program. It was the highlight of our day. While we later met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Azziz, sitting on the floor with 5-year-olds at this school for underprivileged children was my favorite moment by far! As their parents stood close by, here were four members of Congress, sitting on the floor, surrounded by children and drawing pictures! They taught us their words for “tree,” “rabbit” and how to say “my name is,” and when we spoke in their tongue they all applauded with their little hands in delight. It was a wonderful moment for this father of three little children to remember that, wherever you are on the earth, parents are parents and kids are kids. The American people are making a difference at this little school and hundreds like it across Pakistan.
After a formal meeting with the Prime Minister and his cabinet, our convoy headed out of Islamabad’s urban familiarity into what many call “the real Pakistan,” on our three-hour drive to Peshawar on the border of Afghanistan. The terrain and the people are hard in appearance and smoke obscures much of the landscape from campfires burning across the landscape. 150 million people in Pakistan live in the crowded hamlets we passed, many in breathtaking poverty. We arrived in the dark on the bustling streets of Peshawar, an ancient city which sits on the south end of the Khyber Pass, the geological region through which Alexander the Great’s armies passed thousands of years ago.
Our small delegation shared an intimate meal with seven tribal leaders from the region of Pakistan known as Waziristan. This is a rather notorious and hard area, defined by ancient tribal alliances and walled cities whose population shuns contact with the outside world. It is also the region most often cited as the hiding place of Osama bin Laden. We spoke of the challenges that these leaders and their families faced in the wake of the war in Afghanistan. We spoke of their view of America, China and Russia. And we spoke of Osama bin Laden.
With great humility, they expressed grief for the horrors of 9-11 and denounced al Qaeda and its leader for that dastardly attack. They assured us that they desired only to live in peace and that their ancient faith of Islam was a faith of peace. Toward the end of the meal, I asked them about the hunt for bin Laden and if they believed he and his cohorts were hiding in their region. They became quite animated as they replied, through an interpreter, “what would we want with him?” and “why would we want someone like him in our villages?” They said there was no hunt for bin Laden in Waziristan because he was not there, adding, “If we were to find him, we would kill him.” It was a frank, and direct discussion with men who lead some six million Pakistanis and they were adamant in condemning bin Laden and asking for a greater partnership with America. One of the tribal leaders invited me to visit Waziristan, adding “you will come under my protection, my responsibility, and you can go wherever you like”. I told him I was humbled by his invitation and would carry his gracious words back with me to Capitol Hill.
Day one ended in Pakistan as it had begun, in darkness. But our little delegation of American lawmakers was enlightened by the courage, humanity and hospitality we had encountered. There is hope in this place for their people and ours.
- Rep. Mike Pence, Peshawar, Pakistan
A look at the U.S. House's 'band of rebels'
Click here to read a story about House Republicans that are making waves by standing on principle.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Pence calls for Kofi Annan's resignation
Congressman Pence joined four of his House Republican colleagues yesterday in calling on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resign in the wake of the multi-billion dollar U.N. oil-for-food scandal.
Click here to read more.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Pence talks about intelligence reform on CNN's Inside Politics Sunday
Click here to read the transcript from yesterday's show.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Crossfire transcript now available
Click here to read the transcript from Congressman Pence's appearance on CNN's Crossfire.
Pence to appear on CNN's Inside Politics Sunday
Congressman Pence will appear on CNN’s Inside Politics Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT to discuss the latest issues on Capitol Hill including Iraq, the war on terrorism and the new Bush Cabinet nominations.
Anderson looks forward with Flagship Enterprise Center
Pence to appear on CNN's Crossfire today
Congressman Pence will appear on CNN's live debate show, Crossfire, today at 4:30 p.m. EDT, 3:30 p.m. Indiana time.
To learn more about the show, go to Crossfire's website.
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