[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 109 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]


109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 109

   Commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to 
                              Afghanistan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 13, 2006

    Mr. Coleman (for himself and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following 
       concurrent resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Commending the Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to 
                              Afghanistan.

Whereas twenty-four Canadian citizens were killed as a result of the September 
        11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States;
Whereas the people of Gander, Newfoundland, provided food, clothing, and shelter 
        to thousands of stranded passengers and temporary aircraft parking to 
        thirty-nine planes diverted from United States airspace as a result of 
        the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States;
Whereas the Government of Canada, as led by former Prime Ministers Jean Jacques 
        Chretien and Paul Martin and continued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, 
        has provided humanitarian, diplomatic, and security personnel on the 
        invitation of the Government of Afghanistan since 2001;
Whereas Canada has pledged $650,000,000 in development aid to Afghanistan;
Whereas Afghanistan is Canada's largest recipient of bilateral development aid;
Whereas Canada has stationed approximately 2,300 defense personnel who comprise 
        Task Force Afghanistan, in order to improve security in southern 
        Afghanistan, particularly in the province of Kandahar;
Whereas Canada has over 70 diplomatic officers worldwide who are dedicated to 
        growing democracy and equality in Afghanistan;
Whereas at least seventeen Canadians have made the ultimate sacrifice in 
        operations in Afghanistan since September 11, 2001;
Whereas Canada's commitment to the Government of Afghanistan, under the 
        leadership of Prime Minister Hamid Karzai, was due to expire in February 
        2007;
Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Government of Canada led by Prime Minister Stephen 
        Harper requested that the Canadian House of Commons extend Canada's 
        commitment to peace and security operations in Afghanistan;
Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Canadian Parliament voted to extend peace and 
        security operations in Afghanistan until 2009, to increase its 
        development assistance by $310 million, and to build a permanent and 
        secure embassy in Afghanistan to replace its current facility; and
Whereas this was an important sign of the renewed commitment of numerous United 
        States allies to Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) commends the Government of Canada for its renewed and 
        long-term commitment to Afghanistan;
            (2) commends the leadership of former Canadian Prime 
        Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and current 
        Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their steadfast commitment to 
        democracy, human rights, and freedom throughout the world;
            (3) commends the Government of Canada for working to secure 
        a democratic Afghanistan;
            (4) commends the Government of Canada's commitment to 
        reducing poverty, aiding the counternarcotics efforts through 
        counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns, and ensuring 
        a peaceful and terror-free Afghanistan;
            (5) commends the Government of Canada for its three-pronged 
        commitment to Afghanistan: diplomacy, development, and defense; 
        and
            (6) expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the United 
        States for Canada's enduring friendship and leadership in 
        Afghanistan.
                                 <all>