WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a member of the Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after Hosni Mubarak resigned as President of Egypt:

"I congratulate the Egyptian people for their resolve, courage, and determination to end a thirty year undemocratic system. President Mubarak’s resignation today is a major step toward democracy, but it does not complete the task. We should encourage the military, which is now in control, to set out a path to achieve free, transparent, and open elections no later than the current September schedule. There must be an immediate end to any and all laws that prevent the development of viable political parties and a process that encourages moderate and progressive parties to emerge.

"At this moment, ‘We are all Egyptians.’"