(Congressman Hayworth proposes matches between national teams) (570) Representative J. D. Hayworth (Republican of Arizona) is urging the U.S. Soccer Federation to organize a home and away set of matches between the U.S. and Iraqi national soccer teams as a way of building goodwill between the two nations. Hayworth, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, more noted for supporting administration tax policy than advocating sports policy, raised the soccer series idea in a letter to the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, according to a May 7 news release from the lawmaker's office. Hayworth, a former sports broadcaster in the United States, suggested that sport could be "a powerful means to bringing people together." Following is the text of the May 7 news release from the office of Representative J. D. Hayworth (Republican of Arizona): (begin text) Rep. Hayworth Proposes U.S.-Iraq Soccer Matches To Promote Goodwill, Understanding Games Could Be 'Powerful Means to Bring People Together' May 7, 2003 WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. J. D. Hayworth (R-AZ) has urged the U.S. Soccer Federation to initiate home-and-away matches between the U.S. and Iraqi national soccer teams as a gesture of goodwill and understanding between the two countries. In a letter to Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia, president of the federation, Rep. Hayworth, a former sports broadcaster, said, "Sport can be a powerful means to bringing people together." "I understand that the Iraqi professional teams plan to begin league plan soon and that the national team coach will look to begin putting together a team shortly thereafter," Hayworth wrote. "It would be fantastic if the very first international soccer match played in the new Iraq were against the U.S. It would be even better if sponsors could be found so that proceeds from the U.S. leg - Washington, D.C. would be the perfect venue - could be used for relief work in Iraq." Rep. Hayworth said his proposal was inspired by news stories of an impromptu game that took place in Najif recently between a local Iraqi soccer team and U.S. Marines. "The goal of the Marines was to help win the hearts and minds of the locals. It apparently worked. By the end of the match the 600 Iraqi fans were cheering on the overmatched Americans, who played in fatigues and combat boots," Rep. Hayworth related in his letter. "I thought if that match engendered such a positive reaction, playing home-and-home full internationals featuring each countries national team would undoubtedly do even more to help promote goodwill and understanding." Hayworth said he believes soccer offers a perfect bridge to reach that goal for two reasons. First, soccer is the national sport of Iraq. Second, the Iraq national soccer team is a symbol of the suffering endured by the entire Iraqi people during the regime of Saddam Hussein. "We have all been horrified by the stories of Iraqi national team players being threatened before matches and tortured after them if their performance was not up to the standards of Saddam Hussein's sadistic son Uday, who was Iraq's sports czar. "Players and coaches were regularly jailed, beaten, and tortured even family members were jailed and tortured as a way to intimidate and control players and coaches," Hayworth said.