[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 256 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 256

   Commending the people of Mongolia for building strong, democratic 
institutions, and expressing the support of the Congress for efforts by 
 the United States to continue to strengthen its partnership with that 
                                country.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 29, 2005

Mr. Pitts (for himself, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. 
Putnam, Mr. Cole of Oklahoma, Mr. Dreier, Mr. Reynolds, and Mr. Royce) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Commending the people of Mongolia for building strong, democratic 
institutions, and expressing the support of the Congress for efforts by 
 the United States to continue to strengthen its partnership with that 
                                country.

Whereas the Mongolian people on May 22, 2005, participated in their country's 
        4th presidential election since 1990, and have held 5 parliamentary 
        elections since that time;
Whereas these elections have been determined to be largely free and fair, 
        without violence or balloting irregularities, and featuring multiple 
        political parties;
Whereas on May 23, 2005, the United States Department of State congratulated the 
        people of Mongolia on their successful presidential election, noting 
        that the United States Embassy had fielded 9 teams of poll watchers and 
        the International Republican Institute fielded 7 more, that these teams 
        together observed more than 100 polling stations in Ulaanbaatar and in 
        rural areas around Mongolia, and that the election represents another 
        positive step in Mongolia's developing democracy;
Whereas these elections demonstrate Mongolia's commitment to peace, stability, 
        and the rule of law and its determination to consolidate its democratic 
        progress;
Whereas Mongolia, a great nation located at the crossroads of many 
        civilizations, stands as one of only a few functioning democracies in 
        Asia;
Whereas the Government of Mongolia has continued to privatize state-owned 
        entities, and the private sector produced approximately 75 percent of 
        the gross domestic product in 2004, demonstrating Mongolia's commitment 
        to the establishment of a free market economy and to fostering greater 
        regional stability in Northeast Asia;
Whereas Mongolia has sought to develop political, economic, and security 
        relationships with its neighboring countries in order to enhance 
        regional security;
Whereas the people of the United States and Mongolia share common democratic and 
        strategic values, and the Government of Mongolia has expressed its 
        strong desire to deepen and strengthen its partnership with the United 
        States;
Whereas Mongolia has been a steadfast partner with the United States in the 
        global War on Terror, and, after the September 11th terror attacks, the 
        Government of Mongolia expressed its strong support for the United 
        States and offered training opportunities for coalition forces and 
        valuable over-flight clearances;
Whereas Mongolia received United States peace support assistance in fiscal years 
        2000, 2001, and 2003 and has supported coalition operations by 
        contributing troops to both Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan 
        and Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas Mongolia has deployed 4 rotations each in Afghanistan and Iraq, even 
        though, before 2000, Mongolia had not had a national policy of deploying 
        forces beyond its borders, and Mongolia became the first coalition 
        country to contribute an infantry battalion in Iraq;
Whereas the Mongolian military is participating in the elite peacekeeping 
        battalion in Hillah, Iraq, providing security to the logistics base of 
        the Polish-led Multinational Division South Central Iraq, escorting 
        convoys, and constructing military barracks, medical facilities, and 
        local schools;
Whereas in Afghanistan, Mongolia's Mobile Training Teams have been training 
        artillery units of the newly-established Afghan National Army, preparing 
        the officers and soldiers who will be the core cadre for the first 
        artillery battery of the Afghan National Army;
Whereas Mongolia was selected for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) support in 
        the first ever round of selection in fiscal year 2004; and
Whereas Mongolia was one of only 16 countries to be chosen for MCA support, and 
        it was again chosen for MCA funding for fiscal year 2005: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) commends the people and Government of Mongolia for 
        their commitment to democracy and good governance and enhancing 
        the relationship between the United States and Mongolia, based 
        on a comprehensive partnership, shared values, and common 
        strategic interests;
            (2) supports efforts to strengthen strategic, political, 
        economic, educational, and cultural ties between the two 
        countries;
            (3) supports a free trade agreement, whether bilateral or 
        multilateral, with Mongolia;
            (4) encourages private investment and increased business 
        ties between investors in both countries; and
            (5) supports increased Mongolian participation in 
        international organizations and initiatives.
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