[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 453 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 453

   Celebrating the establishment of democracy in Iraq and urging the 
 people of the United States and of other countries in all communities 
 and congregations to ring bells on June 30, 2004, to commemorate the 
             restoration of freedom to the people of Iraq.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 17, 2004

     Mr. Garrett of New Jersey submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
 Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Celebrating the establishment of democracy in Iraq and urging the 
 people of the United States and of other countries in all communities 
 and congregations to ring bells on June 30, 2004, to commemorate the 
             restoration of freedom to the people of Iraq.

Whereas the Coalition Provisional Authority has taken positive steps to improve 
        the quality of life in Iraq by rebuilding schools, refurbishing 
        hospitals and health clinics, building transportation links, and 
        modernizing the communications system of Iraq;
Whereas on June 30, 2004, power and governing authority will be handed over to 
        the Government of Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the 
        United States Armed Forces;
Whereas the transfer of power and governing authority is one of the most 
        significant actions toward the establishment of a free and democratic 
        Iraq;
Whereas the noble effort of the United States to rid the people of Iraq and the 
        world of Saddam Hussein's evil regime and of the fear, torture, and 
        poverty under which the people of Iraq were forced to live has 
        progressed toward the establishment of an Iraq free of dictatorship and 
        the creation of an interim government containing the positions of a 
        President, two Vice Presidents, a Prime Minister, and 26 other 
        ministers;
Whereas in January 2005, the people of Iraq will go to the polls to 
        democratically elect officials to govern the country;
Whereas the Iraqi interim government has already gained legitimacy with the 
        people of Iraq by successfully negotiating in June 2004 with the radical 
        Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr to have his Mahdi Army lay down their arms 
        and disband;
Whereas economic development is critically important to the reconstruction, 
        stabilization, and democratic transition of Iraq;
Whereas the Iraqi economy has been developing and expanding, a new currency has 
        been introduced, and the Governing Council of Iraq has approved a new 
        law that opens the country to foreign investment for the first time in 
        decades;
Whereas the international community is coming together to help the people of 
        Iraq secure their future;
Whereas on June 8, 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted 
        Resolution 1546, which supports free elections in Iraq and reauthorizes 
        the multinational force to help provide security in Iraq;
Whereas full sovereignty will give the people of Iraq a direct interest in the 
        success of their government and country;
Whereas full sovereignty will allow the people of Iraq to experience a 
        remarkable improvement in the quality of life, and Iraq will cease to 
        support international terrorism and cease to provide a safe haven for 
        international terrorists;
Whereas the United States has always supported the promotion of freedom and 
        liberty throughout the world and the United States supports efforts of 
        Iraq and of the Iraqi leaders to provide these inherent rights to the 
        people of Iraq;
Whereas the transition of Iraq from dictatorship to democracy is an extremely 
        significant accomplishment, and the people of Iraq, as well as all the 
        people of the world, are the beneficiaries of this transition; and
Whereas the United States Armed Forces were sent to Iraq to free the Iraqi 
        people from an evil regime, to effectuate a transition to democracy in 
        Iraq, and to make the world a safer place for everyone: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) celebrates the establishment of democracy in Iraq;
            (2) recognizes the importance of the freedoms that are 
        being restored to the Iraqi people;
            (3) supports the five-step plan outlined by President Bush 
        regarding the restoration of sovereignty to Iraq, including--
                    (A) handing over authority to a sovereign Iraqi 
                government;
                    (B) helping establish the stability and security in 
                Iraq that democracy requires;
                    (C) continuing to rebuild the infrastructure of 
                Iraq;
                    (D) encouraging more international support for 
                Iraq; and
                    (E) moving toward free national elections that will 
                bring forward new leaders empowered by the Iraqi 
                people;
            (4) expresses gratitude to the brave members of the United 
        States Armed Forces who are participating in Operation Iraqi 
        Freedom to end the regime of Saddam Hussein and bring democracy 
        and freedom to Iraq;
            (5) encourages all the people of Iraq to work together to 
        create a new Iraq and respect the rights, freedoms, and 
        liberties of all Iraqis; and
            (6) urges the people of the United States and of other 
        countries in all communities and congregations to ring bells on 
        June 30, 2004, in recognition of the establishment of democracy 
        in Iraq and the restoration of freedom to the people of Iraq.
                                 <all>