IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1267 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 15, 2010 Mr. Sires (for himself, Mr. Engel, Mr. Meeks of New York, and Mr. Mack) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Colombia.

Whereas July 20, Colombia's Independence Day, is a national holiday in Colombia; Whereas, July 20, 2010, will mark the 200th anniversary, the bicentennial, of the day Colombia declared its independence from Spain; Whereas, on July 20, 1810, citizens of Bogota expressed their sovereignty by creating their first representative council; Whereas the Colombian Constitution of 1886 officially created the Republic of Colombia; Whereas Colombia is recognized as Latin America’s oldest democracy and as one of the region’s most stable governments, where citizens elect government representatives in free, fair, and frequent elections; Whereas Colombia has created a climate of democratic security resulting in increases of investments, exports, tourism, and business with the United States; Whereas poverty and unemployment rates have been declining since 2002, and social indicators in Colombia have improved dramatically; Whereas Colombia’s annual gross domestic product has been growing, and despite the global economic downturn, in 2009, Colombia saw a high rate of investment and foreign direct investment; Whereas approximately 250 United States companies are present in Colombia and have become allies in the country's development; Whereas Colombia is the United States fourth-largest trading partner and the United States is Colombia’s largest trading partner; Whereas Colombia and the United States are cooperating partners in the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which develops economic alternatives to help fight against drug production and trafficking; Whereas Colombia and the United States are cooperating partners in Plan Colombia, which aims at interdicting and eradicating drugs and expanding the capacity of Colombian military, police, and judicial institutions; Whereas Colombia has pursued policies that have led to collective demobilization, voluntary surrendering of weapons, and overall reduced membership among armed groups, such as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the National Liberation Army (ELN); Whereas Colombia has seen a reduction in crime and declines in homicides since 2002, creating a safer, more prosperous country; and Whereas Colombia and the United States have a strong ongoing partnership regarding the promotion of democratic values, economic collaboration, and combating international crime: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)extends best wishes to the people of Colombia as they celebrate the 200th anniversary of Colombia’s independence from Spain; (2)looks forward to ongoing friendship with Colombia and continuing partnership in matters of mutual concern; and (3)applauds the Government of Colombia’s efforts to enhance democratic security.