[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 383 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 383

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                         July 27, 2005.
Whereas the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq systematically violated the human 
        rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iraqi people;
Whereas on April 9, 2003, United States and coalition forces brought an end to 
        the regime of Saddam Hussein;
Whereas on June 28, 2004, an Iraqi interim government was sworn in after 
        sovereignty was restored;
Whereas in Iraq's January 2005 parliamentary elections, more than 2,000 women 
        ran for office and currently 31 percent of the seats in Iraq's National 
        Assembly are occupied by women;
Whereas women lead the Iraqi ministries of Displacement and Migration, 
        Telecommunications, Municipalities and Public Works, Environment, 
        Science and Technology, and Women's Affairs;
Whereas United States Government-sponsored programs are helping Iraqi women 
        develop in multiple areas from literacy, computer and vocational 
        training, to human rights education and election training;
Whereas through grants funded by the United States Government's Iraqi Women's 
        Democracy Initiative, nongovernmental organizations are providing 
        training in political leadership, communications, coalition-building 
        skills, voter education, constitution drafting, legal reform, and the 
        legislative process;
Whereas a 275-member Transitional National Assembly, which is charged with the 
        responsibility of drafting a new constitution, was elected to serve as 
        Iraq's national legislature for a transition period;
Whereas Article 12 of Iraq's Transitional Administrative Law states that ``[a]ll 
        Iraqis [are] equal in their rights without regard to gender * * * and 
        they are equal before the law'';
Whereas Article 12 of the Transitional Administrative Law further states that 
        ``[d]iscrimination against an Iraqi citizen on the basis of his gender * 
        * * is prohibited'';
Whereas on May 10, 2005, Iraq's National Assembly appointed a 55-member 
        committee, composed of Assembly members, to begin drafting a permanent 
        constitution for Iraq;
Whereas in visits with legislators and officials of the Government of the United 
        States, Iraqi women have raised perceived limitations on their rights in 
        a current draft of the Iraqi constitution;
Whereas the central principles of a true democracy, ``liberty and justice for 
        all'', ``equal justice under law'', and ``government of the people, by 
        the people and for the people'' apply equally to women;
Whereas, in the words of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: ``[s]ociety 
        as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, 
        regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, 
        responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability'';
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the commitment and dedication of 
        the United States to ensure that the full rights of women are granted in 
        the Iraqi constitution;
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the need to affirm the spirit 
        and free the energies of women in Iraq who have spent countless hours, 
        years, and lifetimes working for the basic human right of equal 
        constitutional protection; and
Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes the risks Iraqi women have faced 
        in working for the future of their country and admire their courageous 
        commitment to democracy: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends United States and coalition forces in liberating the 
        Iraqi people from the repressive regime of Saddam Hussein and their 
        ongoing efforts in support of the freedom and stability of Iraq;
            (2) recognizes the progress achieved by the Iraqi people toward the 
        establishment of a representative democratic government;
            (3) recognizes the importance of ensuring women in Iraq have equal 
        rights under the law and in society;
            (4) recognizes the commitment and dedication of the Administration 
        to ensuring the full rights of women are granted in the Iraqi 
        constitution;
            (5) strongly encourages Iraq's Transitional National Assembly to 
        adopt a constitution that grants women equal rights under the law and to 
        work to protect such rights; and
            (6) pledges to support the efforts of Iraqi women to fully 
        participate in a democratic Iraq.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.