[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 436 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 436

 Celebrating 10 years of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa 
and recognizing the momentous social and economic achievements of South 
       Africa since the institution of democracy in that country.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 2004

 Mr. Payne (for himself, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Royce, 
 and Mr. Lantos) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
        was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Celebrating 10 years of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa 
and recognizing the momentous social and economic achievements of South 
       Africa since the institution of democracy in that country.

Whereas the Republic of South Africa peacefully and successfully held democratic 
        elections and transitioned to a democratic, nonracial form of government 
        in 1994;
Whereas South Africa helped initiate and frame the New Partnership for Africa's 
        Development and continues to head this partnership for development and 
        responsible leadership in Africa;
Whereas South Africa actively supports the South African Development Community, 
        which promotes regional economic cooperation and higher standards of 
        living in Southern Africa;
Whereas South Africa has made significant advances in housing by constructing 
        1,600,000 houses for the poor of South Africa;
Whereas, since 1994, 9,000,000 people in South Africa have gained access to 
        clean water;
Whereas, before 1994, 22,000,000 people in South Africa did not have access to 
        adequate sanitation, but 63 percent of households in South Africa now 
        have access to adequate sanitation;
Whereas, before 1994, 60 percent of people in South Africa did not have 
        electricity, but more than 70 percent of households in South Africa now 
        have electricity;
Whereas, from 1994 to 2004, secondary school enrollment in South Africa 
        increased from 70 percent to 85 percent, and students in South Africa 
        now learn in a racially integrated school system;
Whereas the Government of South Africa has established nutritional and 
        educational programs to benefit the youngest and poorest people in South 
        Africa;
Whereas South Africa is experiencing the longest period of consistent positive 
        growth, as measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), since growth in 
        GDP was properly recorded in the 1940s;
Whereas F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela share a Nobel Peace Prize for their 
        work in ending apartheid in South Africa and establishing a 
        representative government;
Whereas Desmond Tutu led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to repair 
        injustices among South Africans and improve race relations in the 
        country, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts;
Whereas South Africa has contributed troops to peacekeeping efforts in Burundi, 
        Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Eritrea;
Whereas South Africa President Thabo Mbeki has forged a relationship with 
        President George W. Bush, making three state visits to the United States 
        and hosting President Bush during his visit to Pretoria, South Africa;
Whereas South Africa has served as an inspiration for other African nations 
        striving for democracy and the peaceful cooperation of many ethnic 
        groups;
Whereas, after being isolated for many years because of the odious system of 
        apartheid, South Africa has since 1994 become a premier location for 
        large international conferences, a leading tourist destination, and the 
        locale for numerous films; and
Whereas, in 1993, the Government of South Africa voluntarily halted its 
        biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons programs and, in 1994, hosted 
        the first conference in Africa on the implementation of the Convention 
        on the Prohibition on the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use 
        of Chemical Weapons and On Their Destruction, with annexes, done at 
        Paris January 13, 1993, and entered into force April 29, 1997: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) applauds the Republic of South Africa for the 
        remarkable transition to a democratic government and the 
        tremendous progress achieved during 10 years of majority rule;
            (2) looks forward to a continued partnership with South 
        Africa focused on a sustained commitment to the health of South 
        Africans; and
            (3) anticipates continued social development and economic 
        growth in South Africa.
                                 <all>