[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 229 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 229

  Supporting the goal of the United States establishing a responsible 
 energy policy toward the Gulf of Guinea region in Western Africa that 
     encourages local content development and greater governmental 
                             transparency.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 28, 2005

Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in 
    addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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


 
  Supporting the goal of the United States establishing a responsible 
 energy policy toward the Gulf of Guinea region in Western Africa that 
     encourages local content development and greater governmental 
                             transparency.

Whereas the United States buys approximately 15 percent of its oil from the Gulf 
        of Guinea region in Western Africa;
Whereas research indicates that in 10 years the United States will import 25 
        percent of its oil from the Gulf of Guinea region;
Whereas the Gulf of Guinea region comprises the countries of Nigeria, Cameroon, 
        Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Sao Tome and 
        Principe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo;
Whereas political analysts have been pressuring the United States Government to 
        find ways to diversify oil imports by the United States that rely too 
        heavily on crude oil from the turbulent Middle East region;
Whereas over $500,000,000,000 will be spent on oil fields in the Gulf of Guinea 
        in the next decade, and governments in the oil-producing region are set 
        to make over $200,000,000,000 in oil revenue within this decade alone;
Whereas African countries will earn revenue and capital through taxation, 
        royalties, rent-sharing agreements, and joint ventures;
Whereas African oil has emerged as a strategic interest of the United States;
Whereas the amount of oil that is imported from West Africa is equal to that 
        which is imported from Saudi Arabia;
Whereas research indicates that Africa could prosper in the decade ahead as a 
        major supplier of oil and gas to a world where energy demand is rising 
        quickly;
Whereas the Gulf of Guinea is viewed as the next major growth area in the world, 
        due to its large abundance of energy resources, which includes natural 
        gas;
Whereas the Gulf of Guinea will soon become the leading deepwater offshore oil 
        production center in the world;
Whereas it is vital for the continuation of the energy stability of the United 
        States that African oil-producing countries become more stable, 
        transparent, and democratic;
Whereas local content development is the concept of training, using, and 
        employing local or indigenous technology and expertise for the creation 
        of an industrial or manufacturing base that will employ local workers 
        and create entrepreneurial opportunities for local citizens;
Whereas local content development can be used to create an environment that 
        generates employment and leads to greater wealth-building opportunities, 
        which can combat civil strife and lead to positive factors that 
        contribute to the support of democratic institutions;
Whereas increasing demands are being made by the governments of African 
        countries for greater participation by indigenous companies in the 
        energy sector, from construction to exploration and production;
Whereas the United States will continue to engage the Gulf of Guinea region for 
        the foreseeable future and can ensure stability by encouraging United 
        States corporations to engage in partnerships with the indigenous people 
        through local content development initiatives;
Whereas governmental corruption is the greatest obstacle to development; and
Whereas the Congress should increase funding by the United States Agency for 
        International Development to support nongovernmental organizations in 
        Africa that work to overcome corruption in African countries, especially 
        in oil producing countries: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That the Congress--
            (1) fully supports the goal of the United States 
        establishing a responsible energy policy toward the Gulf of 
        Guinea region in Western Africa that encourages local content 
        development and greater governmental transparency;
            (2) fully encourages United States congressional 
        delegations to the Gulf of Guinea region in Western Africa in 
        order to improve and garner greater attention for the 
        relationship between the United States and Gulf of Guinea oil-
        producing countries;
            (3) fully supports enhancing funding by the United States 
        Agency for International Development to support nongovernmental 
        organizations in Africa that work to overcome corruption in 
        African countries;
            (4) urges the Bush Administration--
                    (A) to provide debt-relief authorized under the 
                Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any other provision 
                of law, and trade benefits under the African Growth and 
                Opportunity Act (AGOA), to reward countries that adhere 
                to the principles of transparency, human rights, and 
                democracy; and
                    (B) to partner and work with local organizations in 
                Africa that monitor the management and distribution of 
                oil wealth;
            (5) urges the United Nations to--
                    (A) support multilateral transparency and make the 
                provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 
                international law that is enforced by the Security 
                Council and violations of which are punished with full 
                economic sanctions; and
                    (B) use the United Nations Development Program to 
                promote practical programs that work with civil groups, 
                local organizations, and women's associations to 
                promote greater transparency, poverty reduction, and 
                full democratic participation in civil society;
            (6) urges oil companies organized under the laws of the 
        United States that are operating in Africa to--
                    (A) pursue local content development projects and 
                participate in joint ventures with indigenous 
                companies;
                    (B) fully disclose all net taxes, fees, royalties, 
                signing bonuses, and other payments made to African 
                governments;
                    (C) engage with the African-American business 
                community in the United States in developing and 
                participating in investment and economic development 
                opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea region; and
                    (D) combat and prevent environmental degradation 
                and uphold the principles of environmental justice;
            (7) urges the President to encourage leaders of African 
        countries to--
                    (A) establish legislative initiatives that call for 
                the implementation of local content development 
                programs;
                    (B) establish future generation funds that will be 
                used to invest a portion of a current oil revenue of 
                each such country to prepare for a post-oil future;
                    (C) uphold and guarantee respect for human rights, 
                transparency, and full civil participation in the 
                democratic process;
                    (D) explore measures to ensure women are given the 
                opportunity to obtain equal and fair employment within 
                the energy sector; and
            (8) urges the President to issue a written declaration 
        stating that the United States will establish a responsible 
        energy policy toward the Gulf of Guinea region in Western 
        Africa that encourages local content development and greater 
        governmental transparency.
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