[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 575 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                     September 5, 2007.
Whereas on June 17, 2003, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan held parliamentary 
        elections, the fourth since 1989, and the first during the reign of His 
        Majesty King Abdullah II;
Whereas His Majesty King Abdullah II has announced that the next parliamentary 
        elections in Jordan will be held November 20, 2007;
Whereas municipal elections for the local councils were held on July 31, 2007, 
        under a new reformed municipal elections law passed on February 4, 2007, 
        under which the mayors and councils of all municipalities in Jordan were 
        elected;
Whereas the new reformed municipal elections law includes a 20 percent quota for 
        women in the council seats and reduces the age of eligible voters from 
        19 to 18 years of age in order to expand the voter base;
Whereas with the direct assistance of the United States Agency for International 
        Development and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Jordan has placed 
        great emphasis in recent years on the rights of women to vote and run 
        for public office, thereby serving as a model for other countries in the 
        region;
Whereas the people and the Government of Jordan are committed to continuing this 
        progress;
Whereas His Majesty King Abdullah II recently emphasized the importance of 
        building a thriving civil society when he declared, ``We in Jordan--and 
        many others, throughout the Middle East--are working hard to create a 
        civic environment in which our people will thrive. The basic requirement 
        is an inclusive, democratic civil society--one that guarantees rights, 
        delegates responsibilities, honors merit and rewards achievement. The 
        foundation stones on which we build are peace and stability, basic civil 
        and political rights, essential services, freedom of expression and the 
        rule of law.''; and
Whereas Jordan continues to invest in reforming its educational system to 
        incorporate democratic values and principles: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people, the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of 
        Jordan , and His Majesty King Abdullah II for their decision to conduct 
        municipal and parliamentary elections in 2007;
            (2) expresses its desire that Jordan's progress toward 
        democratization continue and flourish as a model for other Arab 
        countries;
            (3) commends His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Jordanian people 
        for striving to uphold women's rights and enhance women's participation 
        in the political process;
            (4) reaffirms the special relationship that exists between the 
        people of the United States and the people of Jordan; and
            (5) remains committed to assist Jordan , should it so desire, in 
        promoting democratic reform.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.