[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 353 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 353

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the visit to the United 
States of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan beginning January 
                               26, 2004.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 28, 2004

 Mr. Wexler (for himself, Mr. Whitfield, Ms. Granger, Mr. English, Mr. 
    Aderholt, and Mr. Gutknecht) submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the visit to the United 
States of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan beginning January 
                               26, 2004.

Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has existed between the 
        United States and Turkey which has been of significant political, 
        economic, cultural, and strategic benefit to both nations;
Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals and a clear vision for 
        the 21st century, where freedom and democracy are the foundations for 
        peace, prosperity, and progress;
Whereas Turkey has demonstrated its unequivocal support for the war against 
        terrorism throughout the world, and has called for the international 
        community to unite against this scourge;
Whereas Turkey organized and commanded the International Security Assistance 
        Force in Kabul, Afghanistan from June 2002 to February 2003;
Whereas Turkey became the first predominantly Muslim nation to authorize sending 
        up to 10,000 peacekeepers to Iraq in October 2003, when the Turkish 
        Parliament voted to do so even before a United Nations resolution on 
        this issue was adopted;
Whereas the two terrorist bombings in Turkey on November 15, 2003, and November 
        20, 2003, although intended to create a wedge between Turkey and the 
        West, drew the United States and Turkey even closer together;
Whereas the Turkish Government immediately condemned the terrorist attacks in 
        the strongest possible terms, detained the perpetrators, and quickly 
        brought them to justice;
Whereas Turkey has made its bases in Incirlik available to the United States as 
        a transit point for American troops in Iraq returning to the United 
        States;
Whereas Turkey has been a valued member of the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization since 1952, serving as the southeastern flank of the 
        Transatlantic alliance throughout the Cold War;
Whereas the United States has always and will continue to support Turkey's 
        accession to the European Union;
Whereas Turkey and Israel, the only democracies in the Middle East, established 
        diplomatic relations in 1949, and have a multifaceted and thriving 
        relationship;
Whereas the upcoming historic visit to the United States of Turkey's Prime 
        Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is another significant step in broadening 
        and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the United States 
        and Turkey; and
Whereas Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will bring a strong message 
        from the Turkish people that Turkey will continue to support the United 
        States campaign against international terrorism and efforts to rebuild 
        and bring democracy and stability to Afghanistan and Iraq: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) offers its warmest welcome to Prime Minister Recep 
        Tayyip Erdogan upon his visit to the United States from January 
        26 through 31, 2004;
            (2) asks Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to communicate 
        to the people of Turkey the continuing support of the Congress 
        and of the American people;
            (3) recognizes that the visit of Prime Minister Recep 
        Tayyip Erdogan to the United States is a significant step 
        toward broadening and deepening the strategic partnership, 
        friendship, and cooperation between the United States and 
        Turkey; and
            (4) thanks Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the 
        Government and people of Turkey for assuming command and 
        leading the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul 
        and for their humanitarian and medical assistance in 
        Afghanistan and post-war Iraq, as well as for their willingness 
        to contribute to international peace, stability, and 
        prosperity, especially in the greater Middle East region.
                                 <all>