Sixteen months after U.S. and coalition forces liberated Iraq from a murderous dictator, the dream of freedom is finally a reality. On June 28, two days earlier than originally planned, the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred full sovereignty to the Iraqi interim government. The people of Iraq are finally free and have control over their destiny. But as Iraqis turn their attention to the future, they must also confront their troubled past. For more than 20 years, Saddam Hussein used tactics of torture and fear to terrorize the Iraqi people and neighboring countries. Eight months after his capture by coalition forces, Saddam is being tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity by Iraqis, under Iraqi laws and procedures. Twice in the last year, I traveled to Iraq and saw firsthand the remarkable activities that are taking place on the ground. There are now over 3,800 programs offering immediate improvement to the quality of life of all Iraqi people. As I have stated before, the media’s has been missing the BIG STORY from Iraq, the amazing progress that has occurred. Iraqi society is rebuilding and healing from decades of turmoil. The following statistics can speak for themselves:

• Nearly 2,500 schools have been renovated;

• Health care spending has increased 30-fold since liberation;

• An estimated 85 percent of Iraqi children have been immunized;

• Iraq has a free press — over 100 newspapers and numerous broadcast outlets.

But as a former doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, I am particularly pleased to see that one sector of Iraqi society that has truly blossomed and that is in the lives of Iraqi women. After decades of repression and government-sponsored torture and abuse, Iraqi women now have access to educational and professional opportunities like never before. They are fully embracing the new opportunities by taking jobs as government officials, educators, small-business owners and engineers. The new constitution also includes a provision calling for a target of 25 percent representation for women in the forthcoming transitional national assembly. Last week, the House Policy Committee hosted about two dozen Iraqi women leaders in Washington, DC. At our first meeting, the women spoke so eloquently and calmly about their trials and tribulations during Saddam’s reign. Their stories had all Members of Congress and those guests in the room in tears. The courage and fortitude was nothing short of inspirational. I was honored and privileged to have one leader, Taghreed Quaraghouli, Administrative Director for the Iraqi Independent Women's Group in Baghdad, “shadow” me as I went about the business of Congress. At just 31, Ms. Quaraghouli had personal stories of pain and suffering no one of her age should have experienced, yet she showed the determination, enthusiasm and hope of her country. She spent time with me in the House Science committee and in my congressional office chatting with staff and discussing the ideals of her new political party that was formed last year to advocate for equal rights for women. Ms. Quaraghouli acknowledged that there is still much to do, and that securing Iraq will take time, but she knows her history. She remarked that no free nation, when first struggling for democracy has not been met with bloodshed. She said that this will diminish with time, as it always does, and Iraq will grow strong with democracy. For her part, Ms. Quaraghouli will be there pushing for equality for women’s voice in education, business and particularly, in government. Taghreed Quaraghouli’s brief visit to Washington confirmed what I have witnessed in Iraq: We did the right thing liberating Iraq. We are doing the right thing by giving them their sovereignty, and we will do the right thing by continuing to champion freedom and democracy in the Middle East and around the world.