New Lawmaker Vows to Help Troops

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New Lawmaker Vows to Help Troops

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jan 24, 2009 7:37:40 EST

A freshman lawmaker who saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan says he feels a sense of obligation as he takes a seat on the House Armed Services Committee to “do right” by people still serving.

For Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Calif., who joined the Marine Corps one day after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and pulled two combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan before deciding to run for Congress, doing right by service members means ensuring they have the right equipment and strategy to defeat terrorists in Afghanistan, and also ensuring they get the credit they have earned.

The 32-year-old Hunter, who fills the seat in Congress held for 28 years by his father, said he wants to make sure Iraq war veterans are recognized for more than just serving.

“They did not just serve, they won this thing,” said Hunter, a former captain, citing the recently approved U.S.-Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement as a symbol of “constructive victory.”

Hunter is only just beginning to realize the limited powers of a freshman legislator. He ranks 60th among the 65 House Armed Services Committee members, and he may not even get to ask questions at some hearings.

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