[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11015-11016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                EXPRESSING THANKS TO THE PEOPLE OF QATAR

  Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 139 submitted earlier 
today by Senator Sununu.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 139) expressing the thanks of the 
     Senate to the people of Qatar for their cooperation in 
     supporting United States armed forces and the armed forces of 
     coalition countries during the recent military action in 
     Iraq, and welcoming His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah 
     Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, to the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.

[[Page 11016]]


  Mr. FRIST. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution and preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements regarding this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 139) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 139

       Whereas Qatar is a longstanding ally of the United States 
     in the Middle East region;
       Whereas the people of Qatar graciously hosted United States 
     Armed Forces and the armed forces of coalition countries 
     during the recent military action in Iraq;
       Whereas the United States and Qatar will continue to build 
     upon this military cooperation;
       Whereas Qatar continues to grow in its economic and 
     strategic defense cooperation with the United States and its 
     allies;
       Whereas the people of Qatar voted on April 29, 2003, on a 
     referendum approving the establishment of their first 
     Parliamentarian Constitution;
       Whereas years of democratic reform, including the 
     establishment of a parliament based on universal suffrage, 
     development of greater freedom of the press, and evolution of 
     a free market have greatly strengthened the bonds between our 
     two nations;
       Whereas an unwavering commitment to the development of the 
     education of its citizens reinforces Qatar's path toward 
     democracy; and
       Whereas Doha, the capital of Qatar, hosted in November of 
     2001 the Fourth World Trade Organization Ministerial 
     Conference, where a number of agreements expanding our 
     defense, commercial, and cultural ties were signed: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses thanks to the people of Qatar for their 
     support of United States Armed Forces and the armed forces of 
     coalition countries during the recent military action in 
     Iraq;
       (2) warmly welcomes His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah 
     Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, to the United States; 
     and
       (3) looks forward to broadening and deepening the 
     friendship and cooperation between the United States and 
     Qatar.

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