F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.

Whether or not they support the war in Iraq, most Americans support our troops who are doing their jobs, and bringing democracy to a nation that has never had the chance experience it. Here in Wisconsin and all across the nation, many of us have made the effort to help our troops in any way we can. In Congress, I have voted for additional funding for our soldiers so that they have the necessary tools and equipment to perform their jobs as safely as possible. But our soldiers need more than guns and tanks -- there are a slew of items that they can use either for themselves, or for the purpose of interacting with Iraqi civilians.

For example, Concordia University, in Ozaukee County, contacted me a few months ago about an effort by its soccer team to collect slightly used soccer equipment to distribute to children in Iraq. This gesture of goodwill was designed to improve relations between our soldiers and Iraqi civilians. My staff and I were able to provide the folks at Concordia with the necessary contact and technical information from the Wisconsin National Guard to get the equipment in the right hands.

It gives me great pleasure to note that thanks to the kindness of the people of Wisconsin, Concordia ultimately collected 275 soccer balls, 600 uniforms, 200 pairs of soccer shoes and various other items. Furthermore, through a letter from the Commander of the 139th MPAD at Camp Freedom in Mosul, Iraq, I learned that this equipment was distributed to the Mosul Soccer League on June 11, when the league held its grand opening celebration at Mosul Stadium. The impact of this donation is best summarized in the words of an Iraqi coach who said to the Commander, “During these difficult times, soccer is providing a respite for young and old alike. People can put aside their differences and simply enjoy sport.”

There are many other opportunities available to Americans who want to show their support for our troops. While the soccer equipment helped our soldiers interact with the people of Iraq, there are items that the soldiers themselves need. In the Washington, DC area, there are two hospitals that are treating many of our wounded soldiers returning from Iraq -- the Walter Reed Hospital and the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda Hospital). They are also working closely with Members of Congress and the public to collect items for our soldiers. The list of items needed include sweats, t-shirts, personal toiletries, phone cards, stamps, stationery and more. My Brookfield office has a detailed list of items needed, as well as more information on how the people of the Fifth District can help our troops. If you are interested in donating items to our soldiers, please free to contact me in Brookfield, where my staff is coordinating such efforts. My office is located at: 120 Bishops Way, Room 154, Brookfield, WI 53005-6294; Telephone: (262) 784-1111.

The war in Iraq is but one battle in the War on Terror. Although the US has officially handed over control of Iraq to its people, our presence is still needed there to squelch the cowardly behavior of the terrorists who hate us, and fear democracy and the freedom it brings to the men and women who live within such a system. As citizens of a nation who have enjoyed the fruits of democracy for more than two hundred years, we can all play a role in helping our soldiers while they work hard to bring not just soccer equipment, but freedom, to the men, women, and children of Iraq.

Congressman James Sensenbrenner, a Republican, represents the Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin. He serves as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary. The Fifth District of Wisconsin forms an arc surrounding Milwaukee to the North and West, and includes parts of Jefferson, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and all of Ozaukee and Washington counties.