[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 436 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 436
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 7, 2004
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Celebrating 10 years of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa
and recognizing the momentous social and economic achievements of South
Africa since the institution of democracy in that country.
Whereas the Republic of South Africa peacefully and successfully held democratic
elections and transitioned to a democratic, nonracial form of government
in 1994;
Whereas South Africa helped initiate and frame the New Partnership for Africa's
Development as a new partnership between Africa and the rest of the
world in order to place the continent of Africa on the path to
sustainable development and to further the values of democracy and economic
reform throughout Africa;
Whereas South Africa actively supports the South African Development Community,
which promotes regional economic cooperation and higher standards of
living in Southern Africa;
Whereas South Africa has made significant advances in housing by constructing
1,600,000 houses for the poor of South Africa;
Whereas, since 1994, 9,000,000 people in South Africa have gained access to
clean water;
Whereas, before 1994, 22,000,000 people in South Africa did not have access to
adequate sanitation, but 63 percent of households in South Africa now
have access to adequate sanitation;
Whereas, before 1994, 60 percent of people in South Africa did not have
electricity, but more than 70 percent of households in South Africa now
have electricity;
Whereas, from 1994 to 2004, secondary school enrollment in South Africa
increased from 70 percent to 85 percent, and students in South Africa
now learn in a racially integrated school system;
Whereas the Government of South Africa has established nutritional and
educational programs to benefit the youngest and poorest people in South
Africa;
Whereas South Africa is experiencing the longest period of consistent positive
growth, as measured by its gross domestic product (GDP), since growth in
GDP was properly recorded in the 1940s;
Whereas F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela share a Nobel Peace Prize for their
work in ending apartheid in South Africa and establishing a
representative government;
Whereas Desmond Tutu led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to repair
injustices among South Africans and improve race relations in the
country, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts;
Whereas South Africa has contributed troops to peacekeeping efforts in Burundi,
Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Eritrea;
Whereas South Africa President Thabo Mbeki has forged a relationship with
President George W. Bush, making three state visits to the United States
and hosting President Bush during his visit to Pretoria, South Africa;
Whereas South Africa has served as an inspiration for other African nations
striving for democracy and the peaceful cooperation of many ethnic
groups;
Whereas, after being isolated for many years because of the odious system of
apartheid, South Africa has since 1994 become a premier location for
large international conferences, a leading tourist destination, and the
locale for numerous films; and
Whereas, in 1993, the Government of South Africa voluntarily halted its
biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons programs and, in 1994, hosted
the first conference in Africa on the implementation of the Convention
on the Prohibition on the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use
of Chemical Weapons and On Their Destruction, with annexes, done at
Paris January 13, 1993, and entered into force April 29, 1997: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) applauds the Republic of South Africa for the
remarkable transition to a democratic government and the
tremendous progress achieved during 10 years of majority rule;
(2) looks forward to a continued partnership with South
Africa focused on a sustained commitment to the health of South
Africans; and
(3) anticipates continued social development and economic
growth in South Africa.
Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 2004.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.