[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 229 Introduced in House (IH)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 229

Acknowledging the strong relationship between the United States and the 
      Republic of Mali and recognizing Mali's role in building a 
    participative democracy, providing leadership through conflict 
   resolution and peacekeeping activities, and supporting the fight 
                           against terrorism.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 24, 2003

  Mr. Payne submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Acknowledging the strong relationship between the United States and the 
      Republic of Mali and recognizing Mali's role in building a 
    participative democracy, providing leadership through conflict 
   resolution and peacekeeping activities, and supporting the fight 
                           against terrorism.

Whereas the Republic of Mali attained independence in 1960 and has since 
        maintained good relations with the United States;
Whereas Mali serves as a voice of moderation in the African Union (AU), the 
        Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the Economic Community 
        of West African States (ECOWAS);
Whereas Mali has forged a lasting peace with the Tuareg people, marked by the 
        ``Flame of Peace'' of 1996;
Whereas Mali has participated in conflict resolution and peacekeeping activities 
        in Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Haiti, Rwanda, and 
        Sierra Leone;
Whereas Mali was the first country to agree to participate in the African Crisis 
        Response Initiative and has henceforth cooperated with the United States 
        in a wide range of military cooperation activities, security assistance 
        efforts, and civic action projects;
Whereas since 1992 Mali has functioned as a model of representative democracy 
        marked by a vibrant civil society and served as an example of peace and 
        stability in West Africa;
Whereas Mali is an important member of the Community of Democracies and 
        participated in the ``Dialogue on Democracy'' held in Florida in June 
        2003;
Whereas Mali is a society of broad religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity;
Whereas since the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on 
        September 11, 2001, Mali has been a partner with the United States in 
        the global war on terrorism;
Whereas President Amadou Toumani Toure of the Republic of Mali visited the 
        United States in June 2003 to discuss strengthening bilateral 
        cooperation, economic development, and other issues, and was warmly 
        received by President George W. Bush and members of his Cabinet;
Whereas Mali suffers a high rate of child mortality, maternal mortality, and 
        illiteracy;
Whereas Mali hosts one of the largest contingents of Peace Corps volunteers in 
        the world;
Whereas Mali, in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health and the 
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is striving successfully to 
        minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS, and is working toward eliminating 
        malaria by hosting the Malaria Research and Training Center;
Whereas Mali's macroeconomic policies and performance have merited inclusion 
        under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief initiative;
Whereas Mali and the United States are party to the Treaty on Cultural Property 
        and the United States has provided a grant under the Ambassador's Fund 
        for Cultural Preservation that supports the Timbuktu Islamic Manuscript 
        Preservation project;
Whereas Mali, home of the Ghana, Malinke, and Songhai empires and of the ancient 
        seat of learning, Timbuktu, is featured in the 37th Annual Smithsonian 
        Folklife festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas Mali is a key ally of the United States in a strategically important 
        region: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) acknowledges the strong relationship between the United 
        States and the Republic of Mali;
            (2) applauds Mali for building a democratic society, 
        developing a vibrant civil society, and providing leadership in 
        conflict resolution and peacekeeping activities;
            (3) recognizes the support and assistance Mali has provided 
        in combating terrorism; and
            (4) encourages expanded relations between the United States 
        and Mali on issues of importance to the two countries, 
        including assistance programs aimed at promoting economic 
        development in Mali.
                                 <all>