Saying it Takes the Fight to the Enemy Where They are Strongest, Iraq War Veteran Murphy Praises Obama’s Plan for Afghanistan

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, after President Barack Obama announced a new plan for Afghanistan, Iraq war veteran, former Captain in the 82nd Airborne Division and Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) released this statement. Rep. Murphy praised President Obama’s plan for taking the fight to the enemy. President Obama’s plan calls for an additional 4,000 troops to Afghanistan and seeks to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat” the terrorists who attacked us on September 11, 2001 – including al Qaeda and the Taliban currently growing in strength in Afghanistan and near the border region of Pakistan. The increase in troops will help train and support the Afghan army and target the terrorist strongholds in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The 4,000 troops will come from the 82nd Airborne Division – the unit with which Congressman Murphy served in Iraq – and will arrive there by the fall.

“There is no better unit to go after those responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 than the 82nd Airborne All Americans. Having served with the 82nd in Iraq, I commend President Obama’s decision to send my fellow paratroopers to do what they do best – take the fight to the enemies of the United States.

“Our troops are performing brilliantly and they will now have even more resources in the fight against bin Laden and the Taliban in Afghanistan and near the border regions of Pakistan. I am proud to partner with our commander in chief in this effort,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Murphy served as a Captain in the U.S. Army as part of the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq. He is the first Iraq war veteran to serve in Congress. He is a former West Point professor and criminal prosecutor and he lives in Bristol with his wife Jenni and their two-year old daughter Maggie.

For Immediate Release, March 27, 2009
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276