Kabul, Afghanistan – Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell joined Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and a bi-partisan Delegation to Afghanistan for the first trip since President Barack Obama signed the historic Strategic Partnership Agreement with President Hamid Karzai. The two-day trip included visits to the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar as well as offered an opportunity for the delegation to visit with troops on Mother’s Day weekend and discuss national security and woman issues in the Middle East, Asia and Africa with diplomatic and military officials.

“On this Mother's Day weekend, I've been honored to join Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and four of my female colleagues on a bi-partisan Congressional Delegation to Afghanistan,” said Rep. Sewell. “Our troops play such an integral role in Afghanistan and it was a pleasure to travel to Helmand and Kandahar provinces to discuss important issues facing Afghans from our commanders and their Afghan coalition partners on the ground. We were also honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Mother’s Day at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand province with so many of our brave troops, many of whom are mothers, daughters and sisters who courageously serve on the frontlines every day in our Armed Forces,” Sewell added.

“My appreciation for all of our servicemen and women has deepened with this experience. On this special day, words can’t express my gratitude to all of the mothers in the military,” Sewell continued. “Thousands of miles away from home, our women in uniform continue to manage the challenges of parenting, while fighting for our liberties. To all our mothers far and near, Happy Mother’s Day!”

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Contact: Breelyn Pete;   breelyn.pete@mail.house.gov;    202.225.2665