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






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 60

    Relating to the free election in Iraq held on January 30, 2005.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 1, 2005

Mr. DeLay (for himself, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Hoyer, Ms. Pryce of 
Ohio, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Cantor, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Hyde, Mr. 
Lantos, Mr. Dreier, and Mr. Hunter) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in 
    addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Relating to the free election in Iraq held on January 30, 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.
                                 <all>