[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 325 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 325

   Congratulating Hungary on the series of events commemorating the 
   centennial anniversary of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and 
  welcoming the establishment of the Hungarian Freedom Dinner and the 
 Hungarian Freedom Award to celebrate the lasting idea of freedom and 
   the principle of responsible liberty cherished by Hungary and the 
                          United States alike.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 22, 2011

 Mr. LaTourette submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                  to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Congratulating Hungary on the series of events commemorating the 
   centennial anniversary of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and 
  welcoming the establishment of the Hungarian Freedom Dinner and the 
 Hungarian Freedom Award to celebrate the lasting idea of freedom and 
   the principle of responsible liberty cherished by Hungary and the 
                          United States alike.

Whereas Hungary has been an important ally of the United States and recently 
        gave invaluable assistance in freeing the two American journalists 
        captured in Libya;
Whereas Hungarians have fought for the ideals of freedom, popular sovereignty, 
        the rule of law, and the cause of liberty at home and abroad, most 
        notably in 1848, 1956 and 1989;
Whereas Michael Kovats de Fabriczy fought for, and died defending America's 
        independence during the American Revolution in Charleston, South 
        Carolina;
Whereas Lajos Kossuth, who fought for Hungary's independence in the 1848 
        Revolution and whom the American Government rescued and provided safe 
        haven for, was later received by cheering crowds as he traveled across 
        United States to promote the principle of democratic government;
Whereas in the Revolution and Freedom fight of 1956, Hungarians rose up against 
        communist rule first within the eastern bloc countries;
Whereas in 1989, Hungary was the first country to open its border and allowed 
        refugees from East Germany to cross;
Whereas Hungary became the first among the former Soviet bloc countries to 
        transition to a Western-style parliamentary democracy;
Whereas between March and April 1990, Hungary held its first free parliamentary 
        elections;
Whereas Hungary privatized its economy to adopt free-market principles and is a 
        member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank;
Whereas between 1995 and 2004, Hungary played a critical role in implementing 
        the Dayton Peace Accords in the Balkans by allowing its airbase at 
        Taszar to be used by coalition forces transiting the region;
Whereas in April 1999, Hungary acceded to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
        (NATO) and became a formal military ally of the United States;
Whereas between April 2003 and December 2004, Hungary helped stabilize Iraq by 
        deploying a 300-strong battalion to Iraq as part of the Multi-National 
        Force, and in 2003 allowed the Taszar airbase to be used for training 
        the Free Iraqi Forces;
Whereas, on May 1, 2004, Hungary acceded to the European Union with support from 
        the United States Government;
Whereas since 2006, Hungary has led a Provincial Reconstruction Team in 
        Afghanistan and has also deployed an Operational Mentoring and Liaison 
        Team, which operates in partnership with the Ohio National Guard and 
        other United States military personnel in Afghanistan;
Whereas in 2008, Hungary's military took over command of a joint battalion on 
        the Balkans in support of NATO missions;
Whereas, Hungary's Papa Airbase is the home base of the Strategic Airlift 
        Consortium's C-17 operations for NATO missions;
Whereas, on November 17, 2008, Hungary joined the Visa Waiver Program;
Whereas Hungary formally and symbolically overcame the legacy of Communism by 
        having recently passed a new Constitution, replacing its previous, 
        temporary Constitution rooted in the Soviet era, to solidify the rule of 
        law;
Whereas between January and June 2011, Hungary held for the first time the 
        rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union with a 
        commitment to advancing the transatlantic agenda;
Whereas in the past three decades, the United States offered assistance and 
        expertise to help establish a constitutional and democratic political 
        system, and a plan for a free market economy to Hungary;
Whereas between 1989 and 1993, the Support for East European Democracy Act 
        provided more than $136 million for economic restructuring and private 
        sector development;
Whereas the Hungarian-American Enterprise Fund offered loans, equity capital, 
        and technical assistance to promote private-sector development;
Whereas the United States Government offered and provided expert and financial 
        assistance for the development of modern and Western institutions in 
        several policy areas, including national security, law enforcement, free 
        media, environmental regulations, education, and health care;
Whereas United States direct investment has had a direct, positive impact on the 
        Hungarian economy and on continued good bilateral relations;
Whereas the United States and Hungary share common values of democracy, rule of 
        law, separation of powers, cultural diversity, religious tolerance, and 
        social mobility;
Whereas the United States is home to approximately 1.5 million Hungarian-
        Americans;
Whereas Hungarian Americans serve as goodwill ambassadors promoting greater 
        understanding between United States and Hungary, by educating people in 
        the United States about Hungary's rich cultural heritage; and
Whereas Hungarian Americans are an important part of the fabric of the United 
        States, as evidenced by their contributions to the arts, science, 
        academia, sports, and business: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates Hungary on the commemorative events to 
        honor the legacy of Ronald Reagan in the region;
            (2) recognizes Hungary as an important strategic partner of 
        the United States in Europe; and
            (3) commends Hungary for reaffirming its commitment to 
        transatlantic values, the principles of constitutionalism, and 
        republican government; and contributing to the stability of the 
        region.
                                 <all>