[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 60 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
February 2, 2005.
Whereas in April 2003, United States Armed Forces and other Coalition forces
liberated the people of Iraq from the dictatorial regime of Saddam
Hussein;
Whereas at the end of June 2004, an Interim Government of Iraq assumed sovereign
authority over Iraq;
Whereas the Interim Government of Iraq called an election for January 30, 2005,
to elect a Transitional National Assembly, which will choose Iraq's
Transitional Presidency Council, approve Iraq's other national leaders,
serve as a transitional legislature, and draft a permanent Iraqi
Constitution to be submitted to a referendum;
Whereas tens of thousands of Iraqis signed petitions nominating thousands of
candidates for seats in the Transitional National Assembly under rules
prescribed by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq;
Whereas thousands of Iraqis served as poll workers or observers;
Whereas a terrorist insurgency used murder and intimidation in a desperate but
ultimately fruitless attempt to prevent the people of Iraq from
exercising their right to choose their own leaders;
Whereas despite the efforts of Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces, a
regrettably large number of Iraqi election workers, political party
volunteers, security officials, candidates, and ordinary citizens
attempting to participate in the political process or who were merely
innocent bystanders were victimized by the insurgency, with some
individuals having been killed while attempting to vote;
Whereas millions of Iraqis nevertheless exercised their right to vote, despite
threats and actual violence directed against them;
Whereas Coalition forces, in cooperation with Iraqi security forces, continue to
provide security for the people of Iraq; and
Whereas a representative democracy is more than a way to settle disputes but,
most importantly, ascribes intrinsic value to every human being: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the people of Iraq, in particular those
individuals who participated in the political process as voters, poll
workers, observers, party workers, or candidates for the Transitional
National Assembly, for having taken part in the historic and inspiring
Iraqi election of January 30, 2005;
(2) expresses its thanks to the Interim Government of Iraq and the
Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, Iraqi and Coalition security
forces, and the civilian United States and international partners of the
Government of Iraq for their tenacious efforts to create the conditions
in which a free election could be held;
(3) expresses its condolences to the families of those Iraqis who
perished while attempting to exercise their right to choose their
government or while protecting Iraqis who were doing so;
(4) congratulates the candidates who were elected to Iraq's
Transitional National Assembly which will be, when it is formed, the
newest democratically-elected legislature in the world;
(5) offers its continued support to the people and political
institutions of Iraq, including the Iraqi Transitional National
Assembly, as they deal with the consequences of decades of misrule by
the former regime of Saddam Hussein;
(6) expresses its gratitude to the United States Armed Forces for
their ongoing valiant service to their country and commitment to the
highest ideals and traditions of the people of the United States;
(7) expresses its gratitude to the families of United States Armed
Forces personnel, especially the families of those who have lost loved
ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Armed Forces personnel wounded
in the service of their country, for their sacrifices;
(8) reaffirms that--
(A) United States Armed Forces in Iraq will remain under the
full authority, direction, and control of their United States
commanders; and
(B) United States Armed Forces will possess all necessary
authority to fulfill their mission in Iraq effectively and to
provide for their operational safety;
(9) urges the people of the United States and other countries to
celebrate this latest step in the restoration of freedom to the people
of Iraq; and
(10) reaffirms that the world is safer when democracy replaces
tyranny.
Attest:
Clerk.