[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 222 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 222

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                        August 2, 2013.
Whereas the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have maintained 
        official diplomatic relations since 1949, and during this partnership 
        spanning over 6 decades, the United States and Jordan have developed a 
        close relationship in security, economic development, and 
        counterterrorism cooperation;
Whereas a United States-Jordanian Joint Military Commission facilitates 
        bilateral consultations between the United States Department of Defense 
        and Jordanian Armed Forces since 1974, and has led to increased 
        cooperation in regional and global counterterrorism efforts;
Whereas Jordan has provided key security and humanitarian support in both 
        Afghanistan and Iraq;
Whereas Jordan hosted a United States-developed training program on human 
        rights, proper use of force, and civil disturbances to further enhance 
        peace and security in the West Bank;
Whereas in 1996, the United States designated Jordan as a major non-NATO ally, 
        recognizing Jordan as a close ally with a strategic working 
        relationship;
Whereas the Jordanian Armed Forces are proven reliable contributors to the 
        international community, particularly as a member of the United Nations, 
        contributing 57,000 troops to 18 different United Nations peacekeeping 
        missions, most notably in Haiti where Jordan endured multiple casualties 
        during such missions;
Whereas Jordan signed the historic Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty on October 26, 
        1994, normalizing relations between Jordan and Israel by resolving 
        territorial disputes and establishing a partnership towards peaceful 
        relations;
Whereas King Abdullah II has been a key advocate of peace between the Israelis 
        and Palestinians, often reiterating the urgent need for peaceful 
        reconciliation and offering to serve as a mediator and host for peace 
        negotiations;
Whereas Jordan is a leader for progress, tolerance, and moderation in the Arab 
        and Muslim worlds;
Whereas the economic partnership between the United States and Jordan was 
        further strengthened through the signing of the United States-Jordan 
        Free Trade Agreement by President Bill Clinton and King Abdullah II on 
        October 24, 2000, and fully implemented on January 1, 2010;
Whereas in 2008, the United States and Jordan signed a 5-year Memorandum of 
        Understanding in the amount of $360,000,000 in economic support funds 
        and $300,000,000 per year in foreign military financing to further 
        bolster the United States-Jordan strategic relationship;
Whereas the United States is strongly committed to the continued development and 
        progress of the Jordanian people, civil society, and political 
        institutions, specifically in the areas of democracy assistance, water 
        and energy preservation, education services, and economic development;
Whereas the al-Assad regime, backed by Iran and Hizballah, has brutally 
        suppressed dissent, conducting a campaign of violence that has fueled 
        sectarian tensions and sparked a civil war in Syria;
Whereas the conflict in Syria has resulted in the loss of nearly 100,000 Syrian 
        lives and the displacement of approximately 4,250,000 civilians, 
        including nearly 1,800,000 who have fled Syria;
Whereas the Syrian conflict has contributed to sectarian conflict, extremism, 
        and instability throughout the region;
Whereas the Government of Jordan has accepted a heavy burden of hosting and 
        providing for the security and basic needs of approximately 500,000 
        refugees, with that number growing every day;
Whereas three-quarters of the refugees are women and children, and 1 in 5 
        refugees is under the age of 4;
Whereas the severity of the humanitarian crisis and the large number of refugees 
        in Jordan places significant economic and social hardships on the 
        country; and
Whereas the Government of Jordan has worked in partnership with the 
        international community to provide for the needs of vulnerable refugee 
        populations, including clean water, food, shelter, health care, and 
        education: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the people and Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of 
        Jordan for their continued friendship with the United States and 
        commitment to peace, security, and stability in the Middle East;
            (2) commends the Government of Jordan for its response to the Syrian 
        humanitarian crisis and encourages its continued hosting and caring for 
        refugees fleeing violence from the conflict with the al-Assad regime; 
        and
            (3) expresses a firm commitment to support the Government of Jordan 
        as it faces regional challenges and works toward a more peaceful and 
        stable Middle East.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.