[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 233 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 233

   Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the dire humanitarian 
situation in Liberia and efforts to introduce peace and justice to that 
                                country.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 26, 2003

   Mr. Fossella (for himself and Mr. Towns) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the dire humanitarian 
situation in Liberia and efforts to introduce peace and justice to that 
                                country.

Whereas the United States has a special relationship with Liberia dating back to 
        1847, when Liberia was founded by freed slaves returning from the United 
        States;
Whereas the people of Liberia have been suffering civil war and destruction 
        since 1990;
Whereas the conflict in Liberia has destroyed property, infrastructure, and 
        thousands of lives;
Whereas the conflict has forced thousands of children to participate as soldiers 
        of warring factions;
Whereas the conflict has created hundreds of thousands of refugees and 
        internally displaced persons, many currently without adequate food, 
        shelter, or medical treatment;
Whereas the conflict has destabilized other nations in the region, including 
        Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast;
Whereas the current Liberian leader in Monrovia, Charles Taylor, obtained his 
        position only through brazen intimidation and mayhem;
Whereas Charles Taylor has robbed Liberia of valuable natural resources such as 
        timber and diamonds and damaged Liberia's environment and economy;
Whereas Charles Taylor has recently been indicted by the Special Court for 
        Sierra Leone for Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes while waging war 
        against Liberia's neighbors;
Whereas peace and reconciliation cannot begin until the departure of President 
        Charles Taylor from Liberia; and
Whereas the Liberian community in the United States tirelessly works toward 
        peace and justice for their former homeland: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress calls for--
            (1) the departure of Charles Taylor from Liberia and his 
        trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone for Crimes Against 
        Humanity and War Crimes;
            (2) international support for peacekeeping operations in 
        Liberia to end the civil war, achieve peace, and restore 
        stability;
            (3) innovative ways to support such a peacekeeping 
        operation and disarmament program and ensure their success;
            (4) international support for a transition leading to free 
        and fair elections and the restoration of legitimate governing 
        capacity to a new and truly democratic Liberian government;
            (5) international support for the efforts of the Economic 
        Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to assist Liberians 
        in building a more secure and free Liberia; and
            (6) support for the Liberian people's long quest for peace, 
        justice, and prosperity.
                                 <all>