[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 233 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         June 18, 2007.
Whereas in 1806, Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and Liechtenstein 
        became a sovereign country;
Whereas Liechtenstein is nestled between Switzerland and Austria in the Upper 
        Rhine valley of the European Alps, and is one of only two doubly 
        landlocked countries in the world;
Whereas Liechtenstein has approximately 35,000 inhabitants, primarily Roman 
        Catholics of German ethnicity;
Whereas Liechtenstein maintains a strong system of checks and balances between 
        the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government;
Whereas Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy, whose powers were 
        expanded through a popular referendum in March 2004 in which 64 percent 
        of citizens approved a new constitution;
Whereas the parliament of Liechtenstein, the ``Landtag'', consists of 25 
        representatives elected for four year terms by proportional 
        representation in two multi-seat constituencies, 10 representing the 
        lowland area and 15 representing the highland area;
Whereas after World War II, on the basis of Liechtenstein's advantageous 
        corporate tax laws and its Customs Union with Switzerland, an industrial 
        upswing transformed Liechtenstein from a poor agricultural state to a 
        modern society;
Whereas despite its small geographic area and limited natural resources, 
        Liechtenstein has a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise 
        economy with manufacturing as its leading economic sector, complemented 
        by a robust financial sector;
Whereas Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area since May 
        1995 and is working to harmonize its economic policies more closely with 
        the European Union;
Whereas Liechtenstein companies have a considerable manufacturing, sales and 
        service presence in the United States, which has resulted in the 
        creation of over 4500 jobs;
Whereas since 1999, the United States has been the most important export market 
        for members of the Liechtenstein Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 
        totaling $521,000,000 in 2005;
Whereas the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the United States and the 
        Principality of Liechtenstein, which entered into force in August of 
        2003, has resulted in an enhanced pursuit of criminals and terrorists;
Whereas in cooperation with the United States-led coalition after the fall of 
        Saddam Hussein in 2003, Liechtenstein froze assets of the former Iraqi 
        regime, which resulted, among other things, in the return of a Falcon 
        Jet 50 to the Iraqi people;
Whereas in collaboration with experts from the United States, the Liechtenstein 
        Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University seeks to raise 
        awareness about issues pertaining to self-determination, self-governance 
        and sovereignty through teaching, research and publications;
Whereas Liechtenstein abolished its military in 1868 and has exercised 
        neutrality in its foreign affairs; and
Whereas Liechtenstein is an active member in international organizations such as 
        the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Organization 
        for Security and Cooperation in Europe: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes over 200 years of sovereignty of the Principality of 
        Liechtenstein; and
            (2) expresses its support for efforts by the United States to 
        continue to strengthen its relationship with that country.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.