[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 160 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 160

   Congratulating the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the 
        success of their recent democratic multiparty elections.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 15, 1996

Mr. Houghton (for himself, Mr. Watt of North Carolina, Mr. Chabot, Mr. 
Ackerman, Mr. Payne of New Jersey, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Engel, 
 and Mr. Frazer) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
        was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Congratulating the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone on the 
        success of their recent democratic multiparty elections.

Whereas since 1991 the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone have endured a 
        horrific civil war that has killed thousands of individuals and 
        displaced more than half the population of the country;
Whereas for the first time in almost 30 years, the Republic of Sierra Leone held 
        its first truly democratic multiparty elections to elect a president and 
        parliament and put an end to military rule;
Whereas the elections held on February 26, 1996, and the subsequent runoff 
        election held on March 15, 1996, were deemed by international and 
        domestic observers to be free and fair and legitimate expressions of the 
        will of the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone;
Whereas success of the newly elected democratic government led by President 
        Ahmad Tejan Kabbah could have a positive effect on the West African 
        neighbors of the Republic of Sierra Leone; and
Whereas the historic event of democratic multiparty elections in the Republic of 
        Sierra Leone should be honored: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) congratulates the people of the Republic of Sierra 
        Leone for holding their first democratic multiparty 
        presidential and parliamentary elections in nearly 30 years;
            (2) encourages all people of the Republic of Sierra Leone 
        to continue to negotiate an end to the civil war and to work 
        together after taking the critical first step of holding 
        democratic elections in that country;
            (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to help 
        nations move toward freedom and democracy; and
            (4) further reaffirms that the United States is committed 
        to encouraging peace, democracy, and economic development on 
        the African continent.
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