Washington, DC -- Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement after returning from an overseas Congressional Delegation trip to Qatar:
"Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the nation of Qatar on an official Congressional Delegation trip with the House Armed Services Committee. We met with American military service members who are facilitating our mission there, Qatari leaders, and evacuees from Afghanistan who remain in Qatar.
"As I toured our base and airfield in Qatar, I was incredibly impressed with the dedication and professionalism shown by our troops. Many of them have been serving in Qatar for a year or more without their families. Despite the hardships they faced serving our country, they were dedicated to their work and proud of their service. I was proud to watch the compassion they showed to the Afghan evacuees -- many of whom had worked with American men and women and saved countless lives.
"I was also able to speak to many of the Afghan evacuees themselves on the trip. I was amazed at the resilience and joy of the Afghan children. Whether playing cricket or working on art projects, they were optimistic about the changes they were facing and it reaffirmed my commitment to work to ensure the families that put their lives at risk to support our troops would be welcomed here at home.
"I wish to extend my thanks to Qatar for the hospitality we were shown, to our foreign service and defense officials who helped make this trip possible, and to the Afghan evacuees I had the honor of meeting for sharing their stories with me."
Rep. Sherrill was joined on the Congressional Delegation trip by Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), professional staff members of the House Armed Services Committee, and officials from the Department of Defense.
While in Qatar, the delegation met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, toured the Afghan evacuee operation at Camp As Sayliyah, and met with American servicemembers helping to facilitate the evacuation and ongoing military operations from Al Udeid Air Force Base.
Rep. Sherrill is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served as Navy helicopter pilot for almost 10 years. She now serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she serves as the Vice Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee.
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