Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) traveled overseas this Memorial Day weekend as part of an official congressional delegation visit to meet with American troops and foreign leaders in the Middle East. He was in Afghanistan today, and visited Iraq and Pakistan in recent days.
“I was glad to have the chance to thank our troops serving abroad on this Memorial Day weekend,” said Whitehouse. “As we work toward securing Afghanistan and Pakistan and welcoming our service members home from Iraq, we owe these brave men and women our deepest gratitude for their exemplary service.”
During the trip, Whitehouse met with American troops and leaders including Christopher R. Hill, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Anne W. Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, and General Raymond Odierno, commander of the multi-national force in Iraq. He also met with foreign leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani of Pakistan, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq.
The congressional delegation was led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and included Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). This was Whitehouse’s third trip to Iraq and his second to Afghanistan and Pakistan since taking office in 2007.
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