[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 60 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      February 2, 2005.
Whereas in April 2003, United States Armed Forces and other Coalition forces 
        liberated the people of Iraq from the dictatorial regime of Saddam 
        Hussein;
Whereas at the end of June 2004, an Interim Government of Iraq assumed sovereign 
        authority over Iraq;
Whereas the Interim Government of Iraq called an election for January 30, 2005, 
        to elect a Transitional National Assembly, which will choose Iraq's 
        Transitional Presidency Council, approve Iraq's other national leaders, 
        serve as a transitional legislature, and draft a permanent Iraqi 
        Constitution to be submitted to a referendum;
Whereas tens of thousands of Iraqis signed petitions nominating thousands of 
        candidates for seats in the Transitional National Assembly under rules 
        prescribed by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq;
Whereas thousands of Iraqis served as poll workers or observers;
Whereas a terrorist insurgency used murder and intimidation in a desperate but 
        ultimately fruitless attempt to prevent the people of Iraq from 
        exercising their right to choose their own leaders;
Whereas despite the efforts of Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces, a 
        regrettably large number of Iraqi election workers, political party 
        volunteers, security officials, candidates, and ordinary citizens 
        attempting to participate in the political process or who were merely 
        innocent bystanders were victimized by the insurgency, with some 
        individuals having been killed while attempting to vote;
Whereas millions of Iraqis nevertheless exercised their right to vote, despite 
        threats and actual violence directed against them;
Whereas Coalition forces, in cooperation with Iraqi security forces, continue to 
        provide security for the people of Iraq; and
Whereas a representative democracy is more than a way to settle disputes but, 
        most importantly, ascribes intrinsic value to every human being: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the people of Iraq, in particular those 
        individuals who participated in the political process as voters, poll 
        workers, observers, party workers, or candidates for the Transitional 
        National Assembly, for having taken part in the historic and inspiring 
        Iraqi election of January 30, 2005;
            (2) expresses its thanks to the Interim Government of Iraq and the 
        Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, Iraqi and Coalition security 
        forces, and the civilian United States and international partners of the 
        Government of Iraq for their tenacious efforts to create the conditions 
        in which a free election could be held;
            (3) expresses its condolences to the families of those Iraqis who 
        perished while attempting to exercise their right to choose their 
        government or while protecting Iraqis who were doing so;
            (4) congratulates the candidates who were elected to Iraq's 
        Transitional National Assembly which will be, when it is formed, the 
        newest democratically-elected legislature in the world;
            (5) offers its continued support to the people and political 
        institutions of Iraq, including the Iraqi Transitional National 
        Assembly, as they deal with the consequences of decades of misrule by 
        the former regime of Saddam Hussein;
            (6) expresses its gratitude to the United States Armed Forces for 
        their ongoing valiant service to their country and commitment to the 
        highest ideals and traditions of the people of the United States;
            (7) expresses its gratitude to the families of United States Armed 
        Forces personnel, especially the families of those who have lost loved 
        ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Armed Forces personnel wounded 
        in the service of their country, for their sacrifices;
            (8) reaffirms that--
                    (A) United States Armed Forces in Iraq will remain under the 
                full authority, direction, and control of their United States 
                commanders; and
                    (B) United States Armed Forces will possess all necessary 
                authority to fulfill their mission in Iraq effectively and to 
                provide for their operational safety;
            (9) urges the people of the United States and other countries to 
        celebrate this latest step in the restoration of freedom to the people 
        of Iraq; and
            (10) reaffirms that the world is safer when democracy replaces 
        tyranny.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.