[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 274 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 274


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 14, 2003

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the National Endowment for Democracy for its contributions 
to democratic development around the world on the occasion of the 20th 
    anniversary of the establishment of the National Endowment for 
                               Democracy.

Whereas November 22, 2003, marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of 
        the National Endowment for Democracy (hereinafter the ``Endowment''), a 
        bipartisan nongovernmental institution that promotes democracy around 
        the world;
Whereas through the National Endowment for Democracy Act (22 U.S.C. 4411 et 
        seq.), signed into law by Presi-

dent Ronald Reagan on November 22, 1983, Congress has made possible the 
funding of the Endowment's worldwide grant programs;

Whereas 2003 also marks the 20th anniversary of the National Republican 
        Institute for International Affairs (which was subsequently renamed the 
        International Republican Institute (IRI)), the National Democratic 
        Institute for International Affairs (NDI), and the Center for 
        International Private Enterprise (CIPE), all of which joined the Free 
        Trade Union Institute (which was subsequently renamed as the American 
        Center for International Labor Solidarity) to form the four affiliated 
        institutions of the Endowment;
Whereas the Endowment and the affiliated institutes have supported grassroots 
        programs to build democratic institutions, spread democratic values, 
        encourage free market institutions, and promote political parties, 
        worker rights, independent media, human rights, the rule of law, civic 
        education, conflict resolution, political participation by women, and 
        many other essential components of civil society and democratic 
        governance in emerging and transitional democracies, nondemocracies, and 
        war-torn societies;
Whereas the programs carried out or funded by the Endowment have made 
        significant contributions to the efforts of democratic activists to 
        achieve freedom and self-governance around the world;
Whereas the Endowment, through the Journal of Democracy, the International Forum 
        for Democratic Studies, the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program, 
        and the World Movement for Democracy, has served as a key center of 
        democratic research, exchange, and networking, bringing together 
        thousands of democracy activists, scholars, and practitioners from 
        around the world; and
Whereas the spread of democracy throughout the world, to which the work of the 
        Endowment has contributed significantly, has enhanced the national 
        security interests of the United States and advanced democratic ideals 
        and values throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) commends the National Endowment for Democracy for its 
        major contributions to the strengthening of democracy around 
        the world on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 
        establishment of the Endowment; and
            (2) endeavors to continue to support the vital work of the 
        National Endowment for Democracy.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 7, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.