[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 650 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 650

  Recognizing the results of the free and fair elections for the new 
  Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands held on 
                           November 9, 2017.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 7, 2017

 Mr. Diaz-Balart (for himself, Mr. Holding, and Mr. Kilmer) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                            Foreign Affairs

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                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the results of the free and fair elections for the new 
  Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands held on 
                           November 9, 2017.

Whereas the United States supports the principles of democratic processes across 
        the world;
Whereas the Falkland Islands referendum of March 2013 clearly set out the wishes 
        of the Islanders, when 99.8 percent of those who voted chose to maintain 
        their status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom;
Whereas the people of the Falkland Islands have the right to decide their own 
        future as enshrined in the United Nations Charter and in Article One of 
        the two United Nations Covenants on Human Rights, by which they freely 
        determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and 
        cultural development free from intimidation and harassment;
Whereas it is the obligation of countries to respect the legally binding 
        principle of self-determination;
Whereas the Falkland Islands' election on November 9, 2017, is an expression of 
        that principle of self-determination; and
Whereas the United Kingdom is a loyal ally that has stood by the United States 
        for over a century: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) welcomes the free, fair, and democratic elections of 
        the Falkland Islands;
            (2) acknowledges that only the people of the Falkland 
        Islands can determine the future of the Falkland Islands; and
            (3) recognizes the United Kingdom's sovereignty over the 
        Falkland Islands for as long as the Islands desire to remain a 
        self-governing Overseas Territory.
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