"We have hosted close

to 30 percent of Congress, and the secretaries of State, Defense, Agriculture,

Commerce, and many others," she said recently. "The work has

been hard but such a satisfaction to know that I am contributing even

if in a small way to the freedom of the Iraqi people by showing the DVs

the real progress of Iraq and the contributions of the coalition military."

Spencer's "office"

is in a former palace in Baghdad, where she works alongside members of

the U.S. military, whom she praises for their tireless and dangerous work.

"The soldiers participating

in Iraqi Freedom are the true heroes of this place as are the civilians

working in CPA," she said. "Every American would be proud to

spend just one minute with the soldiers over here and seeing their attitudes

of cooperation, hospitality and bravery. It's because of them that

the rest of us can do our work."

Despite the real fears that

are naturally associated with war, Spencer hopes that people in the United

States can discover how much better things are progressing in Iraq than

what is often portrayed through the national media.

"It is sad and tragic

that we have lost so many at the hands of a few radicals or terrorists

trying to disrupt the good being done here," said Spencer, who lost

a friend in the Al Rashid Hotel attack. "But the astounding majority

of Iraqi people want us here, contrary to what picture is being painted

back in the U.S.

"It only takes a second

to go into Baghdad and see the children going