[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 499 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 499

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                          May 16, 2006.
Whereas on July 9, 2004, American journalist Paul Klebnikov was murdered by 
        gunmen as he exited the Moscow offices of Forbes Magazine;
Whereas no person has been convicted of any offense in connection with the 
        murder of Mr. Klebnikov;
Whereas Mr. Klebnikov is survived by his wife Helen, and his three young 
        children;
Whereas twelve journalists have been murdered in the Russian Federation since 
        2000 and Mr. Klebnikov was the first and only United States citizen 
        among these journalists;
Whereas the Department of State's 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 
        states government pressure in Russia continues to weaken freedom of 
        expression and the independence and freedom of the media, particularly 
        among the major national television networks and regional media outlets;
Whereas the Russian Prosecutor General's office arrested and tried Musa Vahaev 
        and Kazbek Dukzov for the murder of Mr. Klebnikov;
Whereas Musa Vahaev and Kazbek Dukzov were acquitted on May 5, 2006, of the 
        charges of murdering Mr. Klebnikov;
Whereas the Government of Russia has stated that Mr. Klebnikov's murder was 
        ordered by Khozh-Akhmed Nukhayev, a fugitive Chechen criminal gang 
        leader, but has not publicly released any evidence of Mr. Nukhayev's 
        complicity;
Whereas it remains unclear who ordered the murder of Mr. Klebnikov or if any 
        party will be convicted of this crime; and
Whereas a group of United States investigative journalists has launched an 
        independent inquiry into the death of Mr. Klebnikov: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov on 
        July 9, 2004, in Moscow and the murders of other members of the media in 
        the Russian Federation;
            (2) commends the Russian Prosecutor General's office for its 
        continuing investigation of the murder of Mr. Klebnikov;
            (3) urges the Government of Russia to continue its inquiries to 
        determine and bring to justice all parties involved in the murder of Mr. 
        Klebnikov;
            (4) urges the Government of Russia to accept offers of assistance 
        with the investigation of Mr. Klebnikov's murder from the United States 
        and other concerned governments;
            (5) urges the Government of Russia to take appropriate action to 
        protect the independence and freedom of the Russian media and all 
        visiting members of the media; and
            (6) commends all journalists working and living in Russia for their 
        courageous dedication to transparency and the truth.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.