Congressmen get first-hand view/Representatives view revitalization progress of Jamilla Market

Photo By Sgt. Philip Klein | Congressman Jim Marshall, the representative for Georgia's 8th congressional District,...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. Philip Klein | Congressman Jim Marshall, the representative for Georgia's 8th congressional District, and Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, commanding officer of Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is based out of Baumholder, Germany and is currently attached to the 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, speak with Iraqi shop owners during a visit to the Jamilla Market, August 17, 2008. Eifler is a native of Farmington Hills, Mich.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.17.2008

Story by Sgt. Philip Klein 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

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By Sgt. Philip Klein
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

BAGHDAD – Congressional representatives toured the revitalized Baghdad District of Sadr City with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, Aug. 17, 2008.

Congressional representative for the 4th District of Connecticut Christopher Shays and Georgia's 8th Congressional District representative Jim Marshall were taken by the leadership and Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division on a battlefield circulation to see the reconstruction progress and security gains the Iraqi army, the national police and coalition forces have achieved with the Government of Iraq.

The congressional delegation's first stop was the newly renovated al-Faw Intermediate School, one of schools in the Jamilla area Task Force 1-6 Infantry has renovated with their Iraqi partners.

Col. John Hort, commander of the 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., and a native of Fayetteville, N.C., explained to the congressmen that it was the people of Sadr City who were insistent on making schools a priority for the Thawra 1 and 2 neighborhoods after security was re-established by the Iraqi army with support from coalition forces.

The Jamilla Wholesale Market, which Task Force 1-6, currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., along with Iraqi security forces is responsible for rejuvenating, suffered greatly due to the criminal activities earlier this year.

Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, commander of Task Force 1-6, which is based out of Baumholder, Germany, showed the delegation the market and the improvements made there, thanks to the work of the IA, coalition forces and the Sadr City District Advisory Council – the elected representative body for the Sadr City District.

Eifler, a native of Farmington Hills, Mich., and Task Force 1-6 have improved the area with their Iraqi partners, focusing on security, essential services and humanitarian aid. The congressmen visited shops and spoke with shop owners and customers in the busy wholesale market, an important hub of commerce for all of Baghdad.

The congressional delegation also met with DAC representatives at Joint Security Station Sadr City, where the discussion focused on the improvements to security and also where progress was lagging.

During the discussions the members of the DAC stated that security had been greatly improved, and the members present said that in general the security situation in Sadr City was excellent. Public services were still a concern and progress in this area was slow.

"The Government of Iraq, the IA and friendly forces are putting in a real effort to essential services and improving the landscape of our city. While improvement is slow the effort is there and everyone recognizes this," said one of the DAC representatives.

"I told the DAC members that when I was a mayor of a city in Georgia, that had a quarter of the people and we didn't have to deal with war or gangs, that infrastructure work always took the longest to get done," said Marshall.

Some of the concerns the congressional delegation sought answers for were the perceived lack of support by the people of Iraq for the work and sacrifices made by coalition forces. The DAC members assured the congressmen that the people did support the troops and were thankful for the efforts made to provide security and a better life for their communities.

The congressional delegation finished their visit to Sadr City by having lunch with Soldiers from their states.

"I always enjoy coming to Iraq, because I feel vitality here among the people, and I believe that Iraq can be a great nation thanks to its natural resources and the spirit of its people," said Shays.