[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 111 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 111

 Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the United Bid Committee to 
bring the 2026 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 
    World Cup competition to Canada, Mexico, and the United States.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 5, 2018

  Mr. LaHood (for himself, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Castor of Florida, and Mr. 
   Kihuen) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the United Bid Committee to 
bring the 2026 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 
    World Cup competition to Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Whereas soccer is one of the fastest growing and most popular sports in the 
        world and the FIFA World Cup competition is the single most important 
        event in that sport;
Whereas the United States successfully hosted in 9 cities throughout the Nation 
        the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition, which was broadcast to billions of 
        fans around the world and set an attendance record of nearly 3,600,000, 
        which remains unbroken today;
Whereas the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition served as a catalyst for the 
        increased popularity and development of the game throughout the United 
        States, as well as the introduction of Major League Soccer, the United 
        States national first division professional soccer league;
Whereas United States Soccer Federation and its counterparts in Canada and 
        Mexico have established a United Bid Committee to prepare and submit an 
        unprecedented joint bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in 
        North America;
Whereas Canada, the United States, and Mexico share core beliefs in justice, 
        freedom, equality, and opportunity, and have a long history of 
        partnership, innovation, and growth together on our shared continent;
Whereas for the first time in history the 2026 FIFA World Cup will include teams 
        from 48 nations and presents an opportunity for Canada, Mexico, and the 
        United States as host countries to demonstrate the highest achievable 
        standards and serve as a benchmark for future organizers;
Whereas North America is home to one of the most competitive and advanced 
        professional sports landscapes in the world that is continually updating 
        to take advantage of the latest innovations and modernizations;
Whereas 25 American cities have been named by the United Bid Committee as 
        candidates to serve as hosts to FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, with 
        each of these cities embodying the diversity and enthusiasm shared by 
        the entire Nation and guaranteeing each participating team and its 
        followers a ``home team'' atmosphere;
Whereas the United States and its neighbors offer FIFA a valuable and receptive 
        market within which to further develop the sport of soccer, which in 
        turn will have significant impact on and off the field in both the 
        United States and throughout the world;
Whereas the United States possesses all necessary state-of-the-art 
        infrastructure in its stadiums and potential host cities to ensure that 
        the competition sets a new standard of quality, comfort, security, and 
        safety for players, officials, spectators, media, and sponsors alike;
Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States 
        promises record-setting attendance and financial performance, allowing 
        revenues and tourism generated by the competition to be used for the 
        further development of soccer, FIFA's objectives of positive social and 
        environmental change, and further economic growth throughout our Nation;
Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in Canada, Mexico, and the 
        United States would serve as a tremendous impetus to national and 
        international goodwill, as the competition would bring people from many 
        nations, along with a diverse public, together under one banner of 
        peace, friendship, and spirited and fair competition;
Whereas the historical tradition of inclusivity in the United States is shared 
        by Canada and Mexico and the three countries are eager to welcome the 
        players, spectators, and visitors who may travel to North America for 
        the 2026 FIFA World Cup games; and
Whereas pursuant to FIFA bidding procedures, the President of the United States 
        and certain Federal agencies have been asked to issue guarantees that 
        upon authorization or appropriation, would establish the conditions 
        required to help make the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition the most 
        successful in history: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the United Bid 
        Committee to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition to 
        Canada, Mexico, and the United States;
            (2) encourages the President of the United States and 
        appropriate Federal agencies to support the United Bid 
        Committee in its efforts to meet all requirements for the 
        United States to jointly host with Canada and Mexico the 2026 
        FIFA World Cup competition; and
            (3) stands prepared to give full consideration to 
        legislative proposals or other requests by the President to 
        provide support related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition, 
        if Canada, Mexico, and the United States are selected to host 
        this event.
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