[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1307 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     September 9, 2008.
Whereas Bhutan is a nation cloistered among some of the highest peaks in the 
        eastern Himalayas and has for hundreds of years served as a sanctuary 
        for the rich and unique Bhutanese culture;
Whereas Bhutan hosts some of the most pristine and biologically diverse natural 
        environments in the modern world, owing to the agrarian society's unique 
        farming traditions that are rooted in a deep appreciation for the land 
        and humble devotion to its protection;
Whereas Bhutan participated in the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival and shared 
        with the people of the United States many aspects of its unique culture 
        and traditions, including its special approach towards life, described 
        in national policy as the pursuit of ``Gross National Happiness'';
Whereas Bhutan was only in recent decades accessible by road and airplane but is 
        now sharing with people throughout the world its special cultural 
        traditions that include 13 traditional arts, zorig chusum, monastic 
        dancers who perform ritual dances from sacred tsechus festivals, and 
        weavers who create some of the most coveted textiles in the world;
Whereas Bhutan is transitioning to a parliamentary democracy, owing to the 
        leadership of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who abdicated his throne on 
        December 14, 2006, and his son King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who 
        is committed to conducting parliamentary elections; and
Whereas King Jigme Singye Wangchuck devolved all executive authority from the 
        throne to the cabinet in 1998, initiated the process of drafting a 
        constitution in 2001, ordered by royal decree an end to Bhutan's 
        absolute monarchy and the establishment of a parliamentary democracy in 
        2008, and issued to the people of Bhutan a historic document, or 
        tsathrim, stating that ``Bhutan is a sovereign Kingdom and the Sovereign 
        power belongs to the people of Bhutan'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) commemorates Bhutan's participation in the 2008 Smithsonian 
        Folklife Festival;
            (2) recognizes the important cultural, artistic, agricultural, and 
        environmental achievements of Bhutan and the Bhutanese people;
            (3) commends the Bhutanese people, the Government of the Kingdom of 
        Bhutan, and His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for their 
        commitment to conducting parliamentary elections and transitioning from 
        an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy; and
            (4) remains committed to working with Bhutan, should it so desire, 
        to foster cultural exchange and to assist in promoting democratic 
        reform.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.