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33–320PDF 2007

AMENDING THE IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996; NATO FREEDOM

CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 2007; AMENDING THE FOREIGN

AFFAIRS REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING ACT OF 1998; EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE THAT BANGLADESH

IMMEDIATELY DROP ALL PENDING CHARGES AGAINST SALAH

UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY; HONORING THE LIFE OF THE

LATE DR. JOHN GARANG DE MABIOR AND REAFFIRMING

THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PEACE IN THE REPUBLIC

OF SUDAN; CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF

ISRAELI SOLDIERS HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS AND

HEZBOLLAH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND SUPPORTING

THE GOALS OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 957, H.R. 987, H.R. 1003, H. Res. 64,

H. Res. 98, H. Res. 107 and H. Res. 149

FEBRUARY 15, 2007

Serial No. 110–18

Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/
(II)

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

TOM LANTOS, California, Chairman 

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California 

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York 

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 

Samoa 

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

BILL DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

DIANE E. WATSON, California 

ADAM SMITH, Washington 

RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri 

JOHN S. TANNER, Tennessee 

LYNN C. WOOLSEY, California 

SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas 

RUBE ́ N HINOJOSA, Texas 

DAVID WU, Oregon 

BRAD MILLER, North Carolina 

LINDA T. SA ́ NCHEZ, California 

DAVID SCOTT, Georgia 

JIM COSTA, California 

ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey 

GABRIELLE GIFFORDS, Arizona 

RON KLEIN, Florida 

VACANT 

VACANT 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado 

RON PAUL, Texas 

JEFF FLAKE, Arizona 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

MIKE PENCE, Indiana 

THADDEUS G. MCCOTTER, Michigan 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas 

J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina 

CONNIE MACK, Florida 

JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska 

MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

BOB INGLIS, South Carolina 

LUIS G. FORTUN ̃ O, Puerto Rico 

ROBERT R. KING, Staff Director 

YLEEM POBLETE, Republican Staff Director 

DAVID S. ABRAMOWITZ, Chief Counsel 

GENELL BROWN, Staff Associate 
(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H.R. 957, To amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify 

the entities against which sanctions may be imposed ...................................... 2

Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 957 offered by the 

Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Representative in Congress from the 

State of Florida ................................................................................................. 5

H.R. 987, To endorse further enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to facilitate the timely admission of new members 

to NATO, and for other purposes ........................................................................ 11

H.R. 1003, To amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act 

of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public 

Diplomacy ............................................................................................................. 27

H. Res. 64, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 

Government of Bangladesh should immediately drop all pending charges 

against Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury .................... 28

Amendment to H. Res. 64 offered by the Honorable Gary L. Ackerman, 

a Representative in Congress from the State of New York .......................... 32

H. Res. 98, Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John Garang 

de Mabior and reaffirming the continued commitment of the House of 

Representatives to a just and lasting peace in the Republic of the Sudan ..... 33

Amendment to H. Res. 98 offered by the Honorable Tom Lantos, a Representative in Congress from the State of California, and Chairman, 

Committee on Foreign Affairs ......................................................................... 37

Amendment to H. Res. 98 offered by the Honorable Donald M. Payne, 

a Representative in Congress from the State of New Jersey ........................ 38

H. Res. 107, Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli 

soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah, and for other purposes ......... 39

Amendment to H. Res. 107 offered by the Honorable Gary L. Ackerman ...... 43

H. Res. 149, Supporting the goals of International Women’s Day ...................... 44
(1)

AMENDING THE IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996; NATO FREEDOM CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 2007; AMENDING THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS REFORM AND RESTRUCTURING ACT OF 

1998; EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE THAT BANGLADESH IMMEDIATELY DROP ALL PENDING CHARGES 

AGAINST SALAH UDDIN SHOAIB CHOUDHURY; HONORING 

THE LIFE OF THE LATE DR. JOHN GARANG DE MABIOR 

AND REAFFIRMING THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO 

PEACE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN; CALLING FOR THE 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ISRAELI SOLDIERS HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS AND HEZBOLLAH, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF INTERNATIONAL 

WOMEN’S DAY 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, 

Washington, DC. 

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:48 a.m., in room 

2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Tom Lantos (chairman 

of the committee) presiding. 

Chairman LANTOS. The committee will come to order. Pursuant 

to notice, I call up the bill, H.R. 957, To amend the Iran Sanctions 

Act, for purposes of markup and move its favorable recommendation to the House. Without objection, the bill will be considered as 

read and open for amendment at any point. 

[H.R. 957 follows:]
2

1

I

110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 957

To amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify the entities

against which sanctions may be imposed.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 8, 2007

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. PENCE, Mr. ACKERMAN,

Mr. CHABOT, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. POE, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. ROYCE, Mr.

FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, and Mr. KLEIN of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was

referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the

Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Oversight and

Government Reform, 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

A BILL

To amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and

clarify the entities against which sanctions may be imposed.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3

2

•HR 957 IH

1 SECTION 1. EXPANSION AND CLARIFICATION OF ENTITIES

2 AGAINST WHICH SANCTIONS MAY BE IM3 POSED PURSUANT TO THE IRAN SANCTIONS

4 ACT OF 1996.

5 Section 14 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (50

6 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—

7 (1) in paragraph (13)(B)—

8 (A) by inserting after ‘‘trust,’’ the fol9 lowing: ‘‘financial institution, insurer, under10 writer, guarantor, any other business organiza11 tion, including any foreign subsidiaries of the

12 foregoing,’’; and

13 (B) by inserting before the semicolon at

14 the end the following: ‘‘, such as an export

15 credit agency’’; and

16 (2) in paragraph (14), by inserting after ‘‘pe17 troleum’’ the second place it appears the following:

18 ‘‘, petroleum by-products, liquified natural gas,’’.

Æ
4

Chairman LANTOS. I now recognize my friend, the distinguished 

ranking Republican member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for an amendment. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. I have 

an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. 

Chairman LANTOS. The clerk will report. 

Ms. RUSH. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 

957 offered by Ms. Ros-Lehtinen of Florida——

Chairman LANTOS. Without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute before the members will be considered as read 

and be considered as the original text for purposes of amendment. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]
5

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

TO H.R. 957

OFFERED BY MS. ROS-LEHTINEN OF FLORIDA

AND MR. SHERMAN OF CALIFORNIA

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the

following:

1 SECTION 1. EXPANSION AND CLARIFICATION OF ENTITIES

2 AGAINST WHICH SANCTIONS MAY BE IM3 POSED PURSUANT TO THE IRAN SANCTIONS

4 ACT OF 1996.

5 Section 14 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (50

6 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—

7 (1) in paragraph (13)(B)—

8 (A) by inserting after ‘‘trust,’’ the fol9 lowing: ‘‘financial institution, insurer, under10 writer, guarantor, any other business organiza11 tion, including any foreign subsidiaries of the

12 foregoing,’’; and

13 (B) by inserting before the semicolon at

14 the end the following: ‘‘, such as an export

15 credit agency’’; and
6

2

H.L.C.

1 (2) in paragraph (14), by inserting after ‘‘pe2 troleum’’ the second place it appears the following:

3 ‘‘, petroleum by-products, liquified natural gas,’’.

4 SEC. 2. LIABILITY OF PARENT COMPANIES FOR VIOLA5 TIONS OF SANCTIONS BY FOREIGN ENTITIES.

6 (a) IN GENERAL.—In any case in which an entity en7 gages in an act outside the United States which, if com8 mitted in the United States or by a United States person,

9 would violate Executive Order No. 12959 of May 6, 1995,

10 Executive Order No. 13059 of August 19, 1997, or any

11 other prohibition on transactions with respect to Iran that

12 is imposed under the International Emergency Economic

13 Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and if that entity

14 was created or availed of for the purpose of engaging in

15 such an act, the parent company of that entity shall be

16 subject to the penalties for such violation to the same ex17 tent as if the parent company had engaged in that act.

18 (b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section—

19 (1) an entity is a ‘‘parent company’’ of another

20 entity if it owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50

21 percent of the equity interest in that other entity

22 and is a United States person; and

23 (2) the term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, as24 sociation, trust, joint venture, corporation, or other

25 organization.
7

Chairman LANTOS. I recognize the ranking member for 5 minutes 

to explain the bill and the amendment. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. As all of 

us know already, Iran is a growing threat to the region and to the 

United States’ national security interests. Iran’s record for supporting Islamic extremists is dangerously supplemented by its pursuit of nuclear weapons and its continued defiance of the U.N. Security Council’s demands to halt its enrichment of nuclear elements. It would be a critical mistake to allow a regime with a track 

record as bloody, and an ideology as hateful, as Iran’s to obtain nuclear weapons. 

As part of the effort to isolate Iran and deprive it of its revenues 

that it needs so much to fund its nuclear weapons program, Mr. 

Chairman, Mr. Lantos and I introduced the Iran Freedom Support 

Act, which was enacted into law in September of last year. 

This legislation strengthened sanctions against those who invest 

in Iran’s petroleum sector, the economic lifeline of the Iranian regime. However, the final version of the law did not include language that would make export credit agencies, insurers, and other 

financial institutions subject to sanctions for their facilitation of investments in Iran’s oil industry. 

The bill before us, H.R. 957, seeks to close this loophole. It also 

seeks to expand the activities covered under the law to include petrochemicals and liquified natural gas, as well as impose liability 

on parent companies for violations of sanctions by their foreign entities. 

It is a straightforward bill with a simple purpose: To enhance our 

ability to deprive Iran of the revenue it needs to fund its nuclear 

program and to secure greater cooperation from our European, 

Asian, Russian, and other allies to cut off the flow of funds to Iran. 

If we are to believe the claims regarding a global commitment to 

preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, then responsible 

nations must immediately stop their multimillion and, in some 

cases, billion-dollar investments in Iran’s energy sector. 

I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, a key component of our effort to prevent Iran from acquiring the technical assistance, the financial resources, and the political legitimacy to develop nuclear weapons to enhance their missile capabilities and to 

support Islamic militant extremists and terrorism worldwide. 

This is a bipartisan amendment, as it is co-sponsored by my good 

friend, Mr. Sherman, and I thank Mr. Sherman for his support on 

this matter and his leadership. 

Lastly, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your leadership for a long 

time on this issue, and I thank you for recognizing me on this 

amendment. 

Chairman LANTOS. Thank you very much. I now recognize the cosponsor of the amendment, Mr. Sherman. 

Mr. SHERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank you and the 

ranking member for her work on this bill, and I especially thank 

the ranking member for making sure that we include in this bill 

the provision dealing with subsidiaries of U.S. corporations. This 

provision was included in the Iran Freedom Support Act, also put 

forward by the ranking member last year, but, unfortunately, it 
8

was dropped in conference and was not included when the bill was 

ultimately signed into law. 

We have all heard the stories of General Electric and Halliburton 

and others doing business in Iran, in evasion of United States law, 

by using their subsidiaries. This has been pretty much curtailed, 

not by the actions of the Federal Government so much as by the 

very strong actions of investor groups, including the comptroller of 

New York City, who manages that city’s pension funds. 

But we should not have to reply on the patriotism of pension 

funds. We should prevent these Benedict Arnold policies from being 

carried out by American corporations through their foreign subsidiaries, and now, with this provision in the bill, we will accomplish 

just that. 

So I thank you for including this provision, and, hopefully, this 

time this provision will be passed by this committee and the House, 

not once but twice, and will not be stripped out in later proceedings. I yield back. 

Chairman LANTOS. Thank you, Mr. Sherman. 

Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of 

a substitute? 

[No response.] 

Chairman LANTOS. If not, the question occurs on the amendment 

in the nature of a substitute. All in favor, say aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Chairman LANTOS. All opposed, say no. The ayes have it, and the 

amendment is agreed to. 

While we are waiting for a reporting quorum, I want to move on 

to a unanimous consent for consideration of other measures. We 

have a series of noncontroversial bills on the agenda. It is the intention of the Chair to consider these measures en bloc and, by 

unanimous consent, authorize the Chair to seek consideration of 

the bills under suspension of the rules. All members are given 

leave to insert remarks on the measures into the record, should 

they choose to do so. 

Accordingly, without objection, the chairman is authorized——

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman? 

Chairman LANTOS. Yes, Mr. Sherman. 

Mr. SHERMAN. If I could reserve the right to object. I would point 

out that included in this bloc, and I will not formerly object to it 

but would prefer it not be included, the NATO Freedom Consolidation Act. I think this bill, in my own personal view, deserves greater discussion because I think we should discuss expansion of 

NATO, in the context of our relationship with Russia, and discuss 

our policy toward Russia and Europe, in the context of our policy 

with Russia on Iran and other issues of great national security interest. 

So I will not object, but thank you for letting me express my 

views. 

Chairman LANTOS. As always, my friend has a very valid point. 

I agree with his point. Wider discussion will take place on the floor, 

and I want to thank him for his observation. 

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Chairman? 

Chairman LANTOS. Mr. Chabot. 
9

Mr. CHABOT. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Also reserving my 

right to object, and I will not object as well because I support this 

particular resolution. But on Resolution 64, I strongly support this 

resolution to call upon the Government of Bangladesh to drop all 

charges against a prominent Bangladeshi journalist and human 

rights leader. 

I commend my friend and colleague from Illinois, Mr. Kirk, for 

introducing this important measure. With the current political turmoil in Bangladesh, it is imperative that freedom of press and the 

rule of law prevail. 

This resolution addresses the case of a journalist who believes in 

interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims as an alternative to 

religious extremism and has been commended by the international 

community for such bravery of thought. Mr. Choudhury’s actions 

are courageous, not criminal, and it is time for the Government of 

Bangladesh to take decisive action and drop all pending charges. 

I would urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I thank 

you for urging its passage, and I will not reserve, and I yield back. 

Chairman LANTOS. I want to thank my friend for his valuable 

comments. Any additional comments? If not, accordingly, without 

objection, the chairman is authorized to seek consideration of the 

following bills under suspension of the rules——

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman? 

Chairman LANTOS [continuing]. Just one moment—and the 

amendments to those measures, which the members have before 

them, shall be deemed adopted. 

The gentlelady from Texas. 

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, as you have passed, and I 

have supported—I do not know the appropriate inquiry, and I 

would offer to make an inquiry to the Chair. 

Chairman LANTOS. Please proceed. 

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I supported the 

unanimous consent, but I wanted to particularly point out H. Res. 

194, Supporting the goals of International Women’s Day, and possibly inquire to the Chair that, hopefully, that encompasses the recognition that women around the world are living in conditions that 

impact negatively on family, that suffer from human rights abuse, 

and, hopefully, a resolution such as this will emphasize the importance of continuing work on improving the conditions of women 

around the world because, obviously, that will improve the conditions of children and work more toward the improvement of human 

rights and peace in various developing nations. 

Chairman LANTOS. I want to thank my friend for her valuable 

comment, and I fully share her views. We will have a full opportunity to deal with this issue. 

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, thank you. 

Chairman LANTOS. Let me now read the measures which we are 

moving ahead. H.R. 987, the NATO Freedom Consolidation Act; 

H.R. 1003, to reauthorize the advisory committee on public diplomacy; H. Res. 64, relating to pending charges against the 

Bangladeshi journalist; H. Res. 98, honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John Garang, and for other purposes. 
10

Parenthetically, let me mention that I had the privilege of being 

one of the last people to meet with this great leader in the Sudan 

just before his untimely death. 

H. Res. 107, calling for the release of Israeli soldiers held captive 

by Hamas and Hezbollah, and for other purposes; and H. Res. 149, 

honoring International Women’s Day. 

[The information referred to follows:]
11
12

2

H.L.C.

1 (1) The sustained commitment of the North At2 lantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to mutual de3 fense has made possible the democratic trans4 formation of Central and Eastern Europe. Members

5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization can and

6 should play a critical role in addressing the security

7 challenges of the post-Cold War era in creating the

8 stable environment needed for those emerging de9 mocracies in Europe.

10 (2) Lasting stability and security in Europe re11 quires the military, economic, and political integra12 tion of emerging democracies into existing European

13 structures.

14 (3) In an era of threats from terrorism and the

15 proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the

16 North Atlantic Treaty Organization is increasingly

17 contributing to security in the face of global security

18 challenges for the protection and interests of its

19 member states.

20 (4) In the NATO Participation Act of 1994

21 (title II of Public Law 103–447; 22 U.S.C. 1928

22 note), Congress declared that ‘‘full and active par23 ticipants in the Partnership for Peace in a position

24 to further the principles of the North Atlantic Trea25 ty and to contribute to the security of the North At-
13

3

H.L.C.

1 lantic area should be invited to become full NATO

2 members in accordance with Article 10 of such

3 Treaty at an early date. . .’’.

4 (5) In the NATO Enlargement Facilitation Act

5 of 1996 (title VI of section 101(c) of title I of divi6 sion A of Public Law 104–208; 22 U.S.C. 1928

7 note), Congress called for the prompt admission of

8 Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia

9 to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and de10 clared that ‘‘in order to promote economic stability

11 and security in Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,

12 Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Moldova, and

13 Ukraine. . .the process of enlarging NATO to include

14 emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Eu15 rope should not be limited to consideration of admit16 ting Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slo17 venia as full members of the NATO Alliance’’.

18 (6) In the European Security Act of 1998 (title

19 XXVII of division G of Public Law 105–277; 22

20 U.S.C. 1928 note), Congress declared that ‘‘Poland,

21 Hungary, and the Czech Republic should not be the

22 last emerging democracies in Central and Eastern

23 Europe invited to join NATO’’ and that ‘‘Romania,

24 Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. . .would

25 make an outstanding contribution to furthering the
14

4

H.L.C.

1 goals of NATO and enhancing stability, freedom,

2 and peace in Europe should they become NATO

3 members [and] upon complete satisfaction of all rel4 evant criteria should be invited to become full NATO

5 members at the earliest possible date’’.

6 (7) In the Gerald B. H. Solomon Freedom Con7 solidation Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–187; 22

8 U.S.C. 1928 note), Congress endorsed ‘‘. . .the vision

9 of further enlargement of the NATO Alliance articu10 lated by President George W. Bush on June 15,

11 2001, and by former President William J. Clinton

12 on October 22, 1996’’.

13 (8) At the Madrid Summit of the North Atlan14 tic Treaty Organization in July 1997, Poland, Hun15 gary, and the Czech Republic were invited to join

16 the Alliance, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organi17 zation heads of state and government issued a dec18 laration stating ‘‘[t]he alliance expects to extend fur19 ther invitations in coming years to nations willing

20 and able to assume the responsibilities and obliga21 tions of membership. . .[n]o European democratic

22 country whose admission would fulfill the objectives

23 of the [North Atlantic] Treaty will be excluded from

24 consideration’’.
15

5

H.L.C.

1 (9) At the Washington Summit of the North

2 Atlantic Treaty Organization in April 1999, the

3 North Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state

4 and government issued a communique ́ declaring

5 ‘‘[w]e pledge that NATO will continue to welcome

6 new members in a position to further the principles

7 of the [North Atlantic] Treaty and contribute to

8 peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. . .[t]he

9 three new members will not be the last. . .[n]o Euro10 pean democratic country whose admission would ful11 fill the objectives of the Treaty will be excluded from

12 consideration, regardless of its geographic loca13 tion. . .’’.

14 (10) In May 2000 in Vilnius, Lithuania, the

15 foreign ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lat16 via, Lithuania, the Republic of Macedonia, Romania,

17 Slovakia, and Slovenia issued a statement (later

18 joined by Croatia) declaring that—

19 (A) their countries will cooperate in jointly

20 seeking membership in the North Atlantic

21 Treaty Organization in the next round of en22 largement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organi23 zation;

24 (B) the realization of membership in the

25 North Atlantic Treaty Organization by one or
16

6

H.L.C.

1 more of these countries would be a success for

2 all; and

3 (C) eventual membership in the North At4 lantic Treaty Organization for all of these coun5 tries would be a success for Europe and for the

6 North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

7 (11) On June 15, 2001, in a speech in Warsaw,

8 Poland, President George W. Bush stated ‘‘[a]ll of

9 Europe’s new democracies, from the Baltic to the

10 Black Sea and all that lie between, should have the

11 same chance for security and freedom—and the

12 same chance to join the institutions of Europe—as

13 Europe’s old democracies have. . .I believe in NATO

14 membership for all of Europe’s democracies that

15 seek it and are ready to share the responsibilities

16 that NATO brings. . .[a]s we plan to enlarge NATO,

17 no nation should be used as a pawn in the agenda

18 of others. . .[w]e will not trade away the fate of free

19 European peoples. . .[n]o more Munichs. . .[n]o more

20 Yaltas. . .[a]s we plan the Prague Summit, we should

21 not calculate how little we can get away with, but

22 how much we can do to advance the cause of free23 dom’’.

24 (12) On October 22, 1996, in a speech in De25 troit, Michigan, former President William J. Clinton
17

7

H.L.C.

1 stated ‘‘NATO’s doors will not close behind its first

2 new members. . .NATO should remain open to all of

3 Europe’s emerging democracies who are ready to

4 shoulder the responsibilities of membership. . .[n]o

5 nation will be automatically excluded. . .[n]o country

6 outside NATO will have a veto. . .[a] gray zone of in7 security must not reemerge in Europe’’.

8 (13) At the Prague Summit of the North Atlan9 tic Treaty Organization in November 2002, Bul10 garia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slo11 vakia, and Slovenia were invited to join the Alliance

12 in the second round of enlargement of the North At13 lantic Treaty Organization since the end of the Cold

14 War, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

15 heads of state and government issued a declaration

16 stating ‘‘NATO’s door will remain open to European

17 democracies willing and able to assume the respon18 sibilities and obligations of membership, in accord19 ance with Article 10 of the Washington Treaty’’.

20 (14) On May 8, 2003, the United States Senate

21 unanimously approved the Resolution of Ratification

22 to Accompany Treaty Document No. 108–4, Proto23 cols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on Acces24 sion of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Roma25 nia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, inviting Bulgaria, Esto-
18

8

H.L.C.

1 nia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slo2 venia to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza3 tion.

4 (15) At the Istanbul Summit of the North At5 lantic Treaty Organization in June 2004, the North

6 Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state and gov7 ernment issued a communique ́ reaffirming that

8 NATO’s door remains open to new members, declar9 ing ‘‘[w]e celebrate the success of NATO’s Open

10 Door Policy, and reaffirm tody that our seven new

11 members will not be the last. The door to member12 ship remains open. We welcome the progress made

13 by Albania, Croatia, and the former Yugoslav Re14 public of Macedonia (1) in implementing their An15 nual National Programmes under the Membership

16 Action Plan, and encourage them to continue pur17 suing the reforms necessary to progress toward

18 NATO membership. We also commend their con19 tribution to regional stability and cooperation. We

20 want all three countries to succeed and will continue

21 to assist them in their reform efforts. NATO will

22 continue to assess each country’s candidacy individ23 ually, based on the progress made towards reform

24 goals pursued through the Membership Action Plan,

25 which will remain the vehicle to keep the readiness
19

9

H.L.C.

1 of each aspirant for membership under review. We

2 direct that NATO Foreign Ministers keep the en3 largement process, including the implementation of

4 the Membership Action Plan, under continual review

5 and report to us. We will review at the next Summit

6 progress by aspirants towards membership based on

7 that report’’.

8 (16) Georgia and Ukraine have stated their de9 sire to join the Euro-Atlantic community, and in

10 particular, are seeking to join the North Atlantic

11 Treaty Organization. Georgia and Ukraine are work12 ing closely with the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza13 tion and its members to meet criteria for eventual

14 membership in NATO.

15 (17) At a press conference with President Mi16 khail Saakashvili of Georgia in Washington, D.C. on

17 July 5, 2006, President George W. Bush stated that

18 ‘‘. . . I believe that NATO would benefit with Georgia

19 being a member of NATO, and I think Georgia

20 would benefit. And there’s a way forward through

21 the Membership Action Plan. . .And I’m a believer in

22 the expansion of NATO. I think it’s in the world’s

23 interest that we expand NATO’’.

24 (18) Following a meeting of NATO Foreign

25 Ministers in New York on September 21, 2006,
20

10

H.L.C.

1 NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

2 announced the launching of an Intensified Dialogue

3 on membership between the Alliance and Georgia.

4 (19) At the NATO-Ukraine Commission Sum5 mit in Brussels in February 2005, President of

6 Ukraine Victor Yushchenko declared membership in

7 NATO as the ultimate goal of Ukraine’s cooperation

8 with the Alliance and expressed Ukraine’s desire to

9 conclude a Membership Action Plan.

10 (20) At the NATO-Ukraine Commission For11 eign Ministerial meeting in Vilnius in April 2005,

12 NATO and Ukraine launched an Intensified Dia13 logue on the potential membership of Ukraine in

14 NATO.

15 (21) At the Riga Summit of the North Atlantic

16 Treaty Organization in November 2006, the Heads

17 of State and Government of the member countries of

18 NATO issued a declaration reaffirming that NATO’s

19 door remains open to new members, declaring that

20 ‘‘all European democratic countries may be consid21 ered for MAP (Membership Action Plan) or admis22 sion, subject to decision by the NAC (North Atlantic

23 Council) at each stage, based on the performance of

24 these countries towards meeting the objectives of the

25 North Atlantic Treaty. We direct that NATO For-
21

11

H.L.C.

1 eign Ministers keep that process under continual re2 view and report to us. We welcome the efforts of Al3 bania, Croatia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of

4 Macedonia to prepare themselves for the responsibil5 ities and obligations of membership. We reaffirm

6 that the Alliance will continue with Georgia and

7 Ukraine its Intensified Dialogues which cover the

8 full range of political, military, financial and security

9 issues relating to those countries’ aspirations to

10 membership, without prejudice to any eventual Alli11 ance decision. We reaffirm the importance of the

12 NATO-Ukraine Distinctive Partnership, which has

13 its 10th anniversary next year and welcome the

14 progress that has been made in the framework of

15 our Intensified Dialogue. We appreciate Ukraine’s

16 substantial contributions to our common security, in17 cluding through participation in NATO-led oper18 ations and efforts to promote regional cooperation.

19 We encourage Ukraine to continue to contribute to

20 regional security. We are determined to continue to

21 assist, through practical cooperation, in the imple22 mentation of far-reaching reform efforts, notably in

23 the fields of national security, defence, reform of the

24 defence-industrial sector and fighting corruption. We

25 welcome the commencement of an Intensified Dia-
22

12

H.L.C.

1 logue with Georgia as well as Georgia’s contribution

2 to international peacekeeping and security oper3 ations. We will continue to engage actively with

4 Georgia in support of its reform process. We encour5 age Georgia to continue progress on political, eco6 nomic and military reforms, including strengthening

7 judicial reform, as well as the peaceful resolution of

8 outstanding conflicts on its territory. We reaffirm

9 that it is of great importance that all parties in the

10 region should engage constructively to promote re11 gional peace and stability.’’

12 (22) Contingent upon their continued imple13 mentation of democratic, defense, and economic re14 form, and their willingness and ability to meet the

15 responsibilities of membership in the North Atlantic

16 Treaty Organization and a clear expression of na17 tional intent to do so, Congress calls for the timely

18 admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia,

19 and Ukraine to the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza20 tion to promote security and stability in Europe.

21 SEC. 3. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.

22 Congress—

23 (1) reaffirms its previous expressions of support

24 for continued enlargement of the North Atlantic

25 Treaty Organization contained in the NATO Partici-
23

13

H.L.C.

1 pation Act of 1994, the NATO Enlargement Facili2 tation Act of 1996, the European Security Act of

3 1998, and the Gerald B. H. Solomon Freedom Con4 solidation Act of 2002;

5 (2) supports the commitment to further en6 largement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

7 to include European democracies that are able and

8 willing to meet the responsibilities of Membership, as

9 expressed by the Alliance in its Madrid Summit Dec10 laration of 1997, its Washington Summit

11 Communique ́ of 1999, its Prague Summit Declara12 tion of 2002, its Istanbul Summit Communique ́ of

13 2004, and its Riga Summit Declaration of 2006;

14 and

15 (3) endorses the vision of further enlargement

16 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization articu17 lated by President George W. Bush on June 15,

18 2001, and by former President William J. Clinton

19 on October 22, 1996, and urges our allies in the

20 North Atlantic Treaty Organization to work with the

21 United States to realize a role for the North Atlantic

22 Treaty Organization in promoting global security,

23 including continued support for enlargement to in24 clude qualified candidate states, specifically by enter25 ing into a Membership Action Plan with Georgia and
24

14

H.L.C.

1 recognizing the progress toward meeting the respon2 sibilities and obligations of NATO membership by

3 Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine.

4 SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF ALBANIA, CROATIA, GEORGIA,

5 MACEDONIA, ANND UKRAINE AS ELIGIBLE TO

6 RECEIVE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE NATO

7 PARTICIPATION ACT OF 1994.

8 (a) DESIGNATION.—

9 (1) ALBANIA.—The Republic of Albania is des10 ignated as eligible to receive assistance under the

11 program established under section 203(a) of the

12 NATO Participation Act of 1994 (title II of Public

13 Law 103–447; 22 U.S.C. 1928 note), and shall be

14 deemed to have been so designated pursuant to sec15 tion 203(d)(1) of such Act.

16 (2) CROATIA.—The Republic of Croatia is des17 ignated as eligible to receive assistance under the

18 program established under section 203(a) of the

19 NATO Participation Act of 1994, and shall be

20 deemed to have been so designated pursuant to sec21 tion 203(d)(1) of such Act.

22 (3) GEORGIA.—Georgia is designated as eligible

23 to receive assistance under the program established

24 under section 203(a) of the NATO Participation Act
25

15

H.L.C.

1 of 1994, and shall be deemed to have been so des2 ignated pursuant to section 203(d)(1) of such Act.

3 (4) MACEDONIA.—The Republic of Macedonia

4 is designated as eligible to receive assistance under

5 the program established under section 203(a) of the

6 NATO Participation Act of 1994, and shall be

7 deemed to have been so designated pursuant to sec8 tion 203(d)(1) of such Act.

9 (5) UKRAINE.—Ukraine is designated as eligi10 ble to receive assistance under the program estab11 lished under section 203(a) of the NATO Participa12 tion Act of 1994, and shall be deemed to have been

13 so designated pursuant to section 203(d)(1) of such

14 Act.

15 (b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The designation of

16 the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Croatia, Georgia,

17 the Republic of Macedonia, and Ukraine pursuant to sub18 section (a) as eligible to receive assistance under the pro19 gram established under section 203(a) of the NATO Par20 ticipation Act of 1994—

21 (1) is in addition to the designation of Poland,

22 Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia pursu23 ant to section 606 of the NATO Enlargement Facili24 tation Act of 1996 (title VI of section 101(c) of title

25 I of division A of Public Law 104–208; 22 U.S.C.
26

16

H.L.C.

1 1928 note), the designation of Romania, Estonia,

2 Latvia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria pursuant to section

3 2703(b) of the European Security Act of 1998 (title

4 XXVII of division G of Public Law 105–277; 22

5 U.S.C. 1928 note), and the designation of Slovakia

6 pursuant to section 4(a) of the Gerald B. H. Sol7 omon Freedom Consolidation Act of 2002 (Public

8 Law 107–187; 22 U.S.C. 1928 note) as eligible to

9 receive assistance under the program established

10 under section 203(a) of the NATO Participation Act

11 of 1994; and

12 (2) shall not preclude the designation by the

13 President of other countries pursuant to section

14 203(d)(2) of the NATO Participation Act of 1994 as

15 eligible to receive assistance under the program es16 tablished under section 203(a) of such Act.

17 SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR

18 COUNTRIES DESIGNATED UNDER THE NATO

19 PARTICIPATION ACT OF 1994.

20 Of the amounts made available for fiscal year 2008

21 under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22

22 U.S.C. 2763) such sums as may be necessary are author23 ized to be appropriated for assistance to the Republic of

24 Albania, the Republic of Croatia, Georgia, the Republic

25 of Macedonia, and Ukraine.
27
28

1

IV

110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 64

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government

of Bangladesh should immediately drop all pending charges against

Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JANUARY 16, 2007

Mr. KIRK (for himself, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr.

WEINER, Ms. SCHWARTZ, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. GONZALEZ, and Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that

the Government of Bangladesh should immediately drop

all pending charges against Bangladeshi journalist Salah

Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.

Whereas Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a Bangladeshi

journalist who, because of his beliefs in an interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims and criticism of Islamic

extremism, is on trial for sedition, an offense punishable

by death;

Whereas on November 29, 2003, Mr. Choudhury was arrested at Zia International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on his way to board a flight bound for Tel Aviv;

Mr. Choudhury’s passport was seized, along with consid-
29

2

•HRES 64 IH

erable sums of money and several personal items; on that

same day police raided Mr. Choudhury’s home and newspaper offices, seizing files, computers, and other

valuables;

Whereas Mr. Choudhury was detained in Dhaka Central Jail

for a passport violation, then subsequently charged with

sedition; Mr. Choudhury suffered harsh interrogation

techniques and received no treatment for a debilitating

case of glaucoma; Mr. Choudhury’s incarceration lasted

17 months without legal recourse;

Whereas on April 30, 2005, after intervention by the United

States Department of State and congressional offices,

Mr. Choudhury was released on bail;

Whereas in the subsequent months, senior members of the

Bangladeshi Government made continuous public promises that there was no substance to Mr. Choudhury’s

pending charges and that all charges would be dropped;

Whereas on September 29, 2005, Mr. Choudhury was awarded the ‘‘Freedom to Write Award’’ by PEN USA;

Whereas on May 5, 2006, Mr. Choudhury was awarded the

American Jewish Committee’s Moral Courage Award in

absentia in Washington, D.C.; two days prior to Mr.

Choudhury receiving the award, after returning Mr.

Choudhury’s passport and appearing to allow him to attend, senior Bangladeshi Government officials issued

threats to prevent him from leaving the country;

Whereas on July 6, 2006, Mr. Choudhury’s newspaper offices

were bombed by an Islamic extremist organization after

Mr. Choudhury and his staff published articles in support

of the Ahmadiyya Muslim minority; Mr. Choudhury re-
30

3

•HRES 64 IH

ceived a tip about the bombing days before and reported

it to police, who refused to take action;

Whereas on September 18, 2006, a judge with alleged ties to

an Islamic extremist party ruled that Mr. Choudhury will

stand trial for sedition; the judge made this ruling despite the Public Prosecutor’s testimony in court days before that the government did not have evidence and

would not object to the charges being dropped;

Whereas on October 5, 2006, Mr. Choudhury was attacked

at his newspaper offices by a large group of individuals,

including prominent members of the ruling Bangladesh

National Party; police protection for Mr. Choudhury was

withdrawn just days before the attack; Mr. Choudhury

was called an ‘‘agent of the Jews’’ and beaten badly;

when Mr. Choudhury reported the attack to the police, no

action was taken;

Whereas members of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom visited with Mr. Choudhury

on their trip to Bangladesh in February and March

2006;

Whereas on October 6, 2006, the United States Commission

on International Religious Freedom wrote a letter to U.S.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian

Affairs Richard A. Boucher calling on the United States

Government to strengthen the ‘‘voices of moderation’’ in

countries like Bangladesh where the rule of law, democratic institutions, and respect for human rights are

under assault by violent extremists; the Commission identified Mr. Choudhury as one of those voices that should

not be silenced;
31

4

•HRES 64 IH

Whereas, according to the Department of State’s 2005 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Bangladesh,

‘‘Attacks on journalists and newspapers, and government

efforts to intimidate them, political party activists, and

others, occurred frequently.’’; and

Whereas moderate voices in the Muslim world must be supported and protected to advance the security of the

United States and its allies: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that—

3 (1) the Government of Bangladesh should im4 mediately drop all pending charges against

5 Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib

6 Choudhury;

7 (2) the Government of Bangladesh should im8 mediately return all of Mr. Choudhury’s confiscated

9 possessions; and

10 (3) the Government of Bangladesh should cease

11 harassment and intimidation of Mr. Choudhury,

12 take steps to protect Mr. Choudhury, and hold ac13 countable those responsible for attacks against Mr.

14 Choudhury.

Æ
32

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 64

OFFERED BY MR. ACKERMAN OF NEW YORK

Strike the 8th clause of the preamble.

Strike the 10th clause of the preamble.

Page 4, beginning on line 11, strike ‘‘, take steps to

protect Mr. Choudhury,’’ and all that follows through line

14 and insert ‘‘and take steps to protect Mr.

Choudhury.’’.
33

1

IV

110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 98

Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior

and reaffirming the continued commitment of the House of Representatives to a just and lasting peace in the Republic of the Sudan.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JANUARY 24, 2007

Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. WOLF, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. LANTOS, Ms. LEE,

Ms. WATSON, Ms. WATERS, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. WATT, Mr.

HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. CLYBURN, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. RUSH, Ms.

CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. TOWNS, Mr.

BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. WYNN, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. CLAY, Mr. AL GREEN of

Texas, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr. JOHNSON

of Georgia, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. FATTAH, Mr.

ELLISON, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. DAVIS of Alabama, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr.

SCOTT of Georgia, Ms. CARSON, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. MEEK of

Florida, and Mr. JACKSON of Illinois) submitted the following resolution;

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John

Garang de Mabior and reaffirming the continued commitment of the House of Representatives to a just and

lasting peace in the Republic of the Sudan.

Whereas Dr. John Garang de Mabior, founder and leader of

the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/

A), was born on June 23, 1945, in Bor, Sudan;
34

2

•HRES 98 IH

Whereas Dr. Garang joined the Anya-Nya Movement in

1970, a liberation movement in southern Sudan, and

after the 1972 Addis Ababa Peace Agreement, he became

a member of the Sudanese Armed Forces;

Whereas as Deputy Director of the Military Research Branch

of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Dr. Garang demonstrated

his leadership abilities in the early stages of his military

career;

Whereas Dr. Garang studied economics at Grinnell College

and received his master of arts and doctorate degrees

from Iowa State University;

Whereas as the undisputed leader of the SPLM/A, Dr.

Garang demonstrated remarkable political and military

leadership for over two decades;

Whereas Dr. Garang skillfully managed to consolidate his

base after the devastating split in the SPLM/A in 1991;

Whereas Dr. Garang was a soldier, a scholar, a statesman,

and a father, who had a clear vision and unwavering love

for his people and country;

Whereas Dr. Garang fought for 22 years to achieve a just

peace for his people, but only served 21 days as First

Vice President of Sudan;

Whereas Dr. Garang fought not only for the people in southern Sudan, but also for the forgotten and long

marginalized people of the Nuba Mountains, Southern

Blue Nile, Darfur, and other regions of the country;

Whereas Dr. Garang worked tirelessly to help build international support for a new Sudan that would be multiethnic, multi-religious, democratic, and united;
35

3

•HRES 98 IH

Whereas the new Sudan envisioned by Dr. Garang, if fully realized, would be a country in which all Sudanese would

live in peace without discrimination and hatred, with

equality, pride, and dignity;

Whereas Dr. Garang creatively and painstakingly managed

the often conflicting aspirations of his people for an independent southern Sudan and his vision for a new Sudan;

Whereas the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was

signed by the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A on

January 9, 2005, gave southern Sudan the right to self

determination through a referendum after six years and

also offered the northern establishment in Sudan the opportunity to make unity attractive during the interim period;

Whereas on July 8, 2005, millions of people throughout

Sudan came to show their support in Khartoum when

Dr. Garang was sworn in as First Vice President of

Sudan; and

Whereas on July 30, 2005, Dr. John Garang died in a helicopter crash on his way back to southern Sudan from

Uganda: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) honors the life and achievements of Dr.

3 John Garang de Mabior;

4 (2) reaffirms its commitment to a just and last5 ing peace in the Republic of the Sudan;

6 (3) calls for full implementation of the Com7 prehensive Peace Agreement without any delay;
36

4

•HRES 98 IH

1 (4) strongly urges the people of southern Sudan

2 and its leaders to continue to support Dr. Garang’s

3 vision for a new Sudan;

4 (5) strongly supports the creation of a Dr. John

5 Garang de Mabior Institute for Agriculture, Peace,

6 and Economic Development; and

7 (6) directs the Clerk of the House of Represent8 atives to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution

9 to the Secretary of State with a request that the

10 Secretary transmit it to Dr. Garang’s widow, Re11 becca Garang, and to the Government of Southern

12 Sudan, through the Office of the Sudan People’s

13 Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the District of Co14 lumbia.

Æ
37

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 98

OFFERED BY MR. LANTOS OF CALIFORNIA

Page 4, after line 3, insert the following new paragraph (and redesignate subsequent paragraphs accordingly):

1 (5) strongly urges the full commitment of the

2 United States, the United Nations, the European

3 Union, the African Union, and the League of Arab

4 States to support Dr. Garang’s vision for a new

5 Sudan by endorsing democratic elections throughout

6 Sudan in 2009, as provided by the Comprehensive

7 Peace Agreement;
38

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 98

OFFERED BY MR. PAYNE OF NEW JERSEY

Reverse the order of the fifth and sixth clauses of

the preamble.
39

1

IV

110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 107

Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held

captive by Hamas and Hezbollah, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JANUARY 30, 2007

Mr. ACKERMAN (for himself, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Ms. ROSLEHTINEN, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. PENCE, and Mr. HASTINGS of Florida)

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee

on Foreign Affairs

RESOLUTION

Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli

soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah, and for

other purposes.

Whereas Israel completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon on May 24, 2000;

Whereas on June 18, 2000, the United Nations Security

Council welcomed and endorsed United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s report that Israel had withdrawn completely from Lebanon under the terms of

United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 (1978);

Whereas Israel completed its withdrawal from Gaza on September 12, 2005;
40

2

•HRES 107 IH

Whereas on June 25, 2006, Hamas and allied terrorists

crossed into Israel to attack a military post, killing two

soldiers and wounding a third, Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped;

Whereas on July 12, 2006, Hezbollah terrorists crossed into

Israel to attack Israeli troops patrolling the Israeli side

of the border with Lebanon, killing three, wounding two,

and kidnapping Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev;

Whereas Gilad Shalit has been held in captivity by Hamas for

more than 7 months;

Whereas Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev have been held

in captivity by Hezbollah for more than 6 months;

Whereas Hamas and Hezbollah have withheld all information

on the health and welfare of the men they have kidnapped; and

Whereas, contrary to the most basic standards of humanitarian conduct, Hamas and Hezbollah have prevented access to the Israeli captives by competent medical personnel and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) demands that—

3 (A) Hamas immediately and uncondition4 ally release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit;

5 (B) Hezbollah accept the mandate of

6 United Nations Security Council Resolution

7 1701 (2006) by immediately and uncondition8 ally releasing Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser

9 and Eldad Regev; and
41

3

•HRES 107 IH

1 (C) Hezbollah and Hamas accede to the

2 most basic standards of humanitarian conduct

3 and allow prompt access to the Israeli captives

4 by competent medical personnel and representa5 tives of the International Committee of the Red

6 Cross;

7 (2) expresses—

8 (A) its vigorous support and unwavering

9 commitment to the welfare and survival of the

10 State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic

11 state with secure borders;

12 (B) its strong support and deep interest in

13 achieving a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian

14 conflict through the creation of a viable and

15 independent Palestinian state living in peace

16 alongside of the State of Israel;

17 (C) its ongoing concern and sympathy for

18 the families of Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser,

19 and Eldad Regev; and

20 (D) its full commitment to seek the imme21 diate and unconditional release of the Israeli

22 captives; and

23 (3) condemns—

24 (A) Hamas and Hezbollah for the cross

25 border attacks and kidnappings which precip-
42

4

•HRES 107 IH

1 itated weeks of intensive armed conflict between

2 Israel, Hezbollah, and armed Palestinian

3 groups; and

4 (B) Iran and Syria, the primary state

5 sponsors of global terrorism and the patrons of

6 Hezbollah and Hamas, for their ongoing sup7 port for international terrorism.

Æ
43

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 107

OFFERED BY MR. ACKERMAN OF NEW YORK

Insert after the second clause of the preamble the

following:

Whereas Congress previously expressed its concern for Israeli

soldiers missing in Lebanon and Syrian-controlled territory of Lebanon in Public Law 106–89 (113 Stat. 1305;

November 8, 1999), which required the Secretary of

State to raise the status of missing Israeli soldiers with

appropriate government officials of Syria, Lebanon, the

Palestinian Authority, and other governments in the region, and to submit to Congress reports on those efforts

and any subsequent discovery of relevant information;

Page 3, line 19, insert before the semicolon the following: ‘‘and all other missing Israeli soldiers’’
44

1

IV

110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 149

Supporting the goals of International Women’s Day.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 8, 2007

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY (for herself, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mrs. CAPPS, Mrs. MCMORRIS

RODGERS, Ms. FALLIN, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. BERMAN, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr.

BOSWELL, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. CARNAHAN, Mrs.

CHRISTENSEN, Mr. COHEN, Mr. COSTA, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. CUMMINGS,

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Ms. DELAURO, Mr.

ETHERIDGE, Mr. FARR, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. FILNER, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Ms. GRANGER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr.

HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. HINOJOSA, Ms. HIRONO, Ms.

NORTON, Mr. HONDA, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE

JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. KILDEE, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr.

KIRK, Mr. LAHOOD, Ms. LEE, Mr. LEVIN, Mrs. LOWEY, Mrs. MALONEY

of New York, Mr. MANZULLO, Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mrs.

MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr.

MCNULTY, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mr.

GEORGE MILLER of California, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mrs. CAPITO,

Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. NADLER, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. PALLONE,

Mr. PAYNE, Mr. REYES, Mr. RUSH, Ms. LINDA T. SA ́NCHEZ of California, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr.

SIRES, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Ms. SOLIS, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms.

VELA ́ZQUEZ, Ms. WATSON, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. WHITFIELD, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. WU, and Mr. WYNN) submitted the following resolution; which

was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the

Committee on the Judiciary, 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

RESOLUTION

Supporting the goals of International Women’s Day.
45

2

•HRES 149 IH

Whereas there are over 3,000,000,000 women in the world,

representing 51 percent of the world’s population;

Whereas women continue to play the prominent role in caring

for families within the home as well as serving as economic earners;

Whereas women worldwide are participating in the world of

diplomacy and politics, contributing to the growth of

economies, and improving the quality of the lives of their

families, communities, and nations;

Whereas women leaders have recently made significant

strides, including the 2007 election of Congresswoman

Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House

of Representatives, the 2006 election of Michelle Bachelet

as the first female President of Chile, the 2006 election

of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first female President in

Africa’s history, and the 2005 election of Angela Merkel

as the first female Chancellor of Germany, who will also

serve as the second woman to chair a G8 summit beginning in 2007;

Whereas women account for 80 percent of the world’s 70 million micro-borrowers, 75 percent of the 28,000 United

States loans supporting small businesses in Afghanistan

are made to women, and 11 women are chief executive

officers of Fortune 500 companies;

Whereas in the United States, women are graduating from

high school at higher rates and are earning bachelors degrees or higher degrees at greater rates than men, with

88 percent of women between the ages of 25 and 29 having obtained a high school diploma and 31 percent of

women between the ages of 25 and 29 earning a bachelors degree or higher;
46

3

•HRES 149 IH

Whereas despite tremendous gains, women still face political

and economic obstacles, struggle for basic rights, face the

threat of discrimination, and are targets of violence all

over the world;

Whereas worldwide women remain vastly underrepresented in

national and local assemblies, accounting on average for

less than 10 percent of the seats in parliament, except for

in East Asia where the figure is approximately 18 to 19

percent, and in no developing region do women hold more

than 8 percent of the ministerial positions;

Whereas women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours

and produce half of the world’s food, yet earn only 1 percent of the world’s income and own less than 1 percent

of the world’s property;

Whereas in the United States between 1995 and 2000, female managers earned less than their male counterparts

in the 10 industries that employ the vast majority of all

female employees;

Whereas of the 1,300,000,000 people living in poverty around

the world, 70 percent are women and children;

Whereas according to the United States Agency for International Development, two-thirds of the 876,000,000 illiterate individuals worldwide are women, two-thirds of the

125,000,000 school-aged children who are not attending

school worldwide are girls, and girls are less likely to

complete school than boys;

Whereas worldwide women account for half of all cases of

HIV/AIDS, approximately 42,000,000 cases, and in

countries with high HIV prevalence, young women are at

a higher risk than young men of contracting HIV;
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Whereas globally, each year over 500,000 women die during

childbirth and pregnancy;

Whereas domestic violence causes more deaths and disability

among women between ages 15 and 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war;

Whereas worldwide, at least 1 out of every 3 women and girls

has been beaten in her lifetime;

Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, at least 1 out of every 6 women and girls in

the United States has been sexually abused in her lifetime;

Whereas worldwide, 130,000,000 girls and young women

have been subjected to female genital mutilation and it

is estimated that 10,000 girls are at risk of being subjected to this practice in the United States;

Whereas according to the Congressional Research Service and

the Department of State, illegal trafficking in women and

children for forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual

exploitation involves between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000

women and children each year, of whom 50,000 are

transported into the United States;

Whereas between 75 and 80 percent of the world’s

27,000,000 refugees are women and children;

Whereas in times and places of conflict and war, women and

girls continue to be the focus of extreme violence and intimidation and face tremendous obstacles to legal recourse and justice;

Whereas March 8 has become known as International Women’s Day for the last century, and is a day on which people, often divided by ethnicity, language, culture, and in-
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come, come together to celebrate a common struggle for

women’s equality, justice, and peace; and

Whereas the people of the United States should be encouraged to participate in International Women’s Day: Now

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) supports the goals of International Women’s

3 Day;

4 (2) recognizes and honors the women in the

5 United States and in other countries who have

6 fought and continue to struggle for equality in the

7 face of adversity;

8 (3) reaffirms its commitment to ending dis9 crimination and violence against women and girls, to

10 ensuring the safety and welfare of women and girls,

11 and to pursuing policies that guarantee the basic

12 human rights of women and girls both in the United

13 States and in other countries; and

14 (4) encourages the President to—

15 (A) reaffirm his commitment to pursue

16 policies to protect fundamental human rights

17 and civil liberties, particularly those of women

18 and girls; and

19 (B) issue a proclamation calling upon the

20 people of the United States to observe Inter-
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1 national Women’s Day with appropriate pro2 grams and activities.

Æ
50

Chairman LANTOS. This markup will stand in recess until a reporting quorum is present. I wish to be certain that all members 

here will stay because we will need a reporting quorum to get our 

markup done, and we are now moving on to the scheduled hearing. 

[Whereupon, at 10 o’clock a.m., the committee was recessed, to 

reconvene when a quorum was reached.] 

Chairman LANTOS. This hearing is to reconvene the markup, 

which I recessed earlier, on H.R. 957. The Chair notes the presence 

of a reporting quorum. The question occurs on the motion to report 

the bill favorably, as amended. All in favor, say aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Chairman LANTOS. All opposed, say no. The ayes have it, and so 

ordered. Without objection, the bill will be reported as a single 

amendment in the nature of a substitute incorporating the amendments adopted by the committee. The staff is directed to make any 

technical and conforming amendments. 

[Whereupon, at 10:35 a.m., the committee was adjourned.]

Æ