[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1405 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1405

 Congratulating the people of the 17 African nations that in 2010 are 
         marking the 50th year of their national independence.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 27, 2010

Mr. Rush (for himself, Mr. Payne, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Ms. Clarke, Mr. 
Rangel, Mr. Filner, Mr. Clay, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Fattah, Ms. Fudge, 
 Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. Watson, Mr. 
   Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. Eddie 
    Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Meek of Florida, Ms. Norton, Mr. 
Grijalva, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Meeks of 
New York, Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Ortiz, 
    Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Sires, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Baca, Mrs. 
  Napolitano, Mr. Towns, Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Edwards of Maryland, Mr. 
Tonko, and Mr. Gonzalez) submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Congratulating the people of the 17 African nations that in 2010 are 
         marking the 50th year of their national independence.

Whereas in the year 2010, 17 African nations will celebrate the 50th anniversary 
        of their independence from France, Italy, or Great Britain;
Whereas tens of thousands of Africans died or were imprisoned during the 
        struggle for self-determination and national political independence 
        following over 75 years of often brutal colonial rule;
Whereas the Republic of Cameroon gained its independence on January 1, 1960;
Whereas the Togolese Republic gained its independence on April 27, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Mali gained its independence on June 20, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Senegal gained its independence on June 20, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Madagascar gained its independence on June 26, 1960;
Whereas the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained its independence on June 30, 
        1960;
Whereas Somalia gained its independence on July 1, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Benin gained its independence on August 1, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Niger gained its independence on August 3, 1960;
Whereas Burkina Faso gained its independence on August 5, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire gained its independence on August 7, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of Chad gained its independence on August 11, 1960;
Whereas the Central African Republic gained its independence on August 13, 1960;
Whereas the Republic of the Congo gained its independence on August 15, 1960;
Whereas the Gabonese Republic gained its independence on August 17, 1960;
Whereas the Federal Republic of Nigeria gained its independence on October 1, 
        1960; and
Whereas Islamic Republic of Mauritania gained its independence on November 28, 
        1960: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the people of the 17 African nations that 
        in 2010 are marking the 50th year of their national 
        independence;
            (2) salutes the continuing status of these people as 
        citizens of free and sovereign countries;
            (3) honors the lives of the ten of thousands of patriots, 
        including innocent civilians, who died, were imprisoned, or 
        otherwise dedicated their lives, often at great personal 
        sacrifice, to achieving African political independence;
            (4) commends the socioeconomic and political progress being 
        made by these nations, while acknowledging the associated 
        challenges that many still face; and
            (5) renews the commitment of the United States to help the 
        people of sub-Saharan Africa to foster democratic rule, advance 
        civic freedom and participation, and promote market-based 
        economic growth, and to alleviate the burden of poverty and 
        disease that so many in the region continue to face.
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