[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 371 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 371

 Commending the people and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of 
 Jordan for their political reform efforts and wishing them continued 
               success in their democratization efforts.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 16, 2003

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen (for herself, Mr. Lantos, and Mr. Ackerman) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the people and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of 
 Jordan for their political reform efforts and wishing them continued 
               success in their democratization efforts.

Whereas on June 17, 2003, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan held parliamentary 
        elections, the fourth since 1989, and the first during the rein of His 
        Majesty King Abdullah II;
Whereas the elections were conducted in an orderly and transparent manner;
Whereas municipal elections for the capital city of Amman were held on July 26 
        and 27, 2003, and other local councils' elections will be held in 
        September 2003;
Whereas Jordan has placed high importance in recent years on the rights of women 
        to vote and run for public office, thereby serving as a model for other 
        countries in the region;
Whereas six seats in the Jordanian House of Deputies are reserved for female 
        candidates, over and above any seats freely won in the elections, to 
        ensure the participation and representation of women in the development 
        of Jordan's political life and freedoms;
Whereas progress toward democracy and pluralism in Jordan has been significant, 
        and both the Jordanian leadership and the people of Jordan are committed 
        to continuing this progress;
Whereas His Majesty King Abdullah II recently stated at the World Economic 
        Forum: ``We in Jordan--and many others, throughout the Middle East--are 
        working hard to create a civic environment in which our people will 
        thrive. The basic requirement is an inclusive, democratic civil 
        society--one that guarantees rights, delegates responsibilities, honors 
        merit and rewards achievement. The foundation stones on which we build 
        are peace and stability, basic civil and political rights, essential 
        services, freedom of expression and the rule of law.'';
Whereas the National Center for Human Rights and an independent Higher Media 
        Council have been recently established to strengthen Jordan's commitment 
        to human rights as an integral part of the country's overall efforts to 
        achieve political and democratic reforms; and
Whereas Jordan continues to invest in reforming its educational system to 
        incorporate democratic values and principles in order to solidify the 
        roots of democracy in its civil society: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people and the Government of the Hashemite 
        Kingdom of Jordan for conducting transparent participatory 
        elections;
            (2) express its desire that this process toward 
        democratization continues to thrive to become a model for other 
        Arab countries;
            (3) reaffirms the friendship and the special relations that 
        exist between the people of the United States and the people of 
        Jordan;
            (4) offers its commitment to assist Jordan in its future 
        challenges of democratic reform to ensure democracy is able to 
        grow and flourish; and
            (5) commends His Majesty King Abdullah II for his efforts 
        in promoting political, economic, and social reforms, and for 
        his unequivocal determination to promote peace in the Middle 
        East.
                                 <all>