H.Con.Res. 127House108th Congress (2003-2005)In Committee

Declaring that the provision of humanitarian assistance, including United States agricultural products, for Iraq is in the national security interest of the United States.

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Foreign Affairs Committee

March 27, 2003

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 27, 2003

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E683)

March 27, 2003

HouseIntro Referral

Foreign Affairs Committee

March 27, 2003

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Con.Res. 127 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Bob FilnerD-CA-51 · Apr 3, 2003

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I recently introduced a resolution supporting humanitarian assistance from the United States to Iraq. H. Con. Res. 127 reinforces the ideal that we should send…

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I recently introduced a resolution supporting humanitarian assistance from the United States to Iraq. H. Con. Res. 127 reinforces the ideal that we should send American-grown and made products to Iraq--and on American ships!

The United States obviously has a deep and enduring interest in the welfare of the citizens of Iraq who have been living under the regime of Saddam Hussein for decades. Iraq is currently suffering a humanitarian crisis that could worsen during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An estimated 4.5 million to 10 million people in Iraq, about 40 percent of the population, will require food assistance within a few weeks. Unfortunately, most of the warehouses in Iraq that store food under the ``Oil-for-Food'' program are empty. There are few food reserves in Iraq. If action is not taken to address this shortfall, people will die of starvation.

Now that Operation Iraqi Freedom has begun, it is our duty to recognize the need for, and prepare for, the delivery of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to the people of Iraq. It is our obligation to provide American-grown commodities, such as wheat, to Iraq!

Food security will be significant in improving the quality of life the people of Iraq. Providing United States agricultural commodities to Iraq will help alleviate the humanitarian crisis there, as well as help strengthen our Nation's economy. Our Nation's farmers would certainly be proud to supply humanitarian assistance to a country in great need. Further, our United States maritime industry would be honored to ship supplies to Iraq in order to help with this critical effort.

In addition, the Department of Defense recently created the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance. This office is a coordinated effort between government agencies in order to plan and implement assistance programs in a post-war Iraq. The resolution I have introduced commends the Department of Defense for recognizing the need for, and taking an inter-agency approach to, the delivery of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, we can, and must, help to improve the living conditions of the civilian population of Iraq! The fact that we can do this with American products makes this humanitarian effort all the more beneficial, significant, and crucial!

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 27, 2003

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 127 Introduced in House (IH)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 127

Declaring that the provision of humanitarian assistance, including
United States agricultural products, for Iraq is in the national
security interest of the United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2003

Mr. Filner submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition
to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Declaring that the provision of humanitarian assistance, including
United States agricultural products, for Iraq is in the national
security interest of the United States.

Whereas Iraq is currently suffering a humanitarian crisis which could worsen
during Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas an estimated 4,500,000 to 10,000,000 people in Iraq, or approximately 40
percent of the population, could require food assistance within weeks of
the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas most of the warehouses in Iraq that store food under the ``Oil-for-
Food'' program are empty, which means there are few food reserves in
Iraq;
Whereas food security is important for the reconstruction of Iraq and improving
the living conditions of the civilian population of Iraq;
Whereas the Department of Defense has recognized the need for, and taken an
inter-agency approach to, the delivery of humanitarian and
reconstruction assistance for Iraq through the Department's Office of
Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance;
Whereas the United States has a deep and enduring interest in the welfare of the
citizens of Iraq who have been living under the regime of Saddam Hussein
for decades; and
Whereas providing United States agricultural commodities to Iraq to alleviate
the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and therefore provide food security for
Iraq would also help strengthen our Nation's economy: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) commends the Department of Defense for recognizing the
need for, and taking an inter-agency approach to, the delivery
of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for Iraq through
the Department's Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian
Assistance;
(2) declares that the provision of humanitarian assistance,
including United States agricultural commodities, for Iraq is
in the national security interest of the United States; and
(3) further declares that all such United States
humanitarian assistance should be transported to Iraq on United
States-flag vessels as required by law.
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