IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 325 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 Taszár 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 Taszár 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 Pápa 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

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.