[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 26 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 26

Commending the people of Iraq on the election held on January 30, 2005, 
 of a 275-member Transitional National Assembly and of provincial and 
regional governments and encouraging further steps toward establishment 
          of a free, democratic, secure, and prosperous Iraq.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 31, 2005

Mr. Lugar submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commending the people of Iraq on the election held on January 30, 2005, 
 of a 275-member Transitional National Assembly and of provincial and 
regional governments and encouraging further steps toward establishment 
          of a free, democratic, secure, and prosperous Iraq.

Whereas on January 30, 2005, for the first time in over 50 years, the citizens 
        of Iraq had the opportunity to vote in a free election, to choose their 
        own leaders, and to begin the process of writing their own constitution;
Whereas the election in Iraq was held despite imperfect conditions, threats to 
        voters, candidates, and election workers, and acts of violence by those 
        seeking to prevent the voice of the majority of the people of Iraq from 
        being heard;
Whereas an estimated 14,300,000 Iraqis were registered to vote at more than 
        5,000 polling stations across Iraq and in 14 other countries;
Whereas a majority of individuals who were eligible to vote participated in the 
        election and the final results of the election will be certified on 
        February 15, 2005;
Whereas, the newly elected 275-member Transitional National Assembly of Iraq 
        will include at least 25 percent female representation, will serve as 
        the national legislature of Iraq, and will name a Presidency Council 
        consisting of a President and 2 Vice Presidents that will appoint a new 
        Prime Minister of Iraq and approve the selection of cabinet ministers;
Whereas the Transitional National Assembly will draft a national constitution 
        that will be presented to the people of Iraq for their approval in a 
        national referendum to be held in October 2005 and that will lead to the 
        election of a constitutional government in Iraq;
Whereas the election establishes a credible process for governing Iraq under a 
        mandate from the majority of the people of Iraq and reflects the will of 
        the people for a new Iraq in which all communities are represented and 
        terrorism is eliminated;
Whereas the election was a historic step towards development of democracy for 
        the people of Iraq and an inspiration to all those in the region who are 
        striving to achieve democracy in their own countries;
Whereas the United States is committed to facilitating the development of a 
        strong and proud Iraq that is built by the people of Iraq through their 
        unified efforts and their commitment to protecting the territorial 
        integrity and national unity of Iraq;
Whereas President George W. Bush stated after the election in Iraq that the 
        ``world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle 
        East''; and
Whereas the United States Government stands ready to work with the new 
        Government of Iraq to build a free, democratic, secure, and prosperous 
        Iraq: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes that, on January 30, 2005, the people of 
        Iraq elected a 275-member Transitional National Assembly and 
        leaders of provincial and regional governments in Iraq in an 
        election that has been widely described as free and fair;
            (2) recognizes this election is a milestone in the 
        development of democracy in Iraq, commends the people of Iraq 
        on the election, and congratulates the new members of the 
        Transitional National Assembly and the leaders of the 
        provincial and regional governments;
            (3) commends the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq 
        for its administration of the election and commends the United 
        Nations Mission in Iraq for the provision of expert technical 
        assistance and training to the Commission;
            (4) expresses its respect for the freely expressed will of 
        the people of Iraq, its admiration for their courage in the 
        face of intimidation, threats, and acts of violence, and its 
        intention to work with the new Government of Iraq to help the 
        people of Iraq realize the opportunity for a more peaceful and 
        prosperous future;
            (5) urges the new leadership of Iraq to move forward with 
        drafting the constitution, upholding the rule of law, and 
        holding a referendum on the new constitution in October 2005;
            (6) urges all members of the international community to 
        help Iraq end the violent insurgency which is destabilizing the 
        region and help Iraq build the necessary political, economic, 
        and security infrastructure essential to establish a viable, 
        democratic state and improve the lives of the people of Iraq; 
        and
            (7) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to help 
        the people of Iraq succeed in building their own government and 
        fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Iraq for a free, 
        united, peaceful, and prosperous Iraq.
                                 <all>