H. Res. 1088

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

December 8, 2006.

Whereas on November 21, 2006, Pierre Gemayel, a Member 

of the March 14 parliamentary coalition, was assassinated in New Jdeide ́, north of Beirut, Lebanon; 

Whereas a series of targeted attacks and killings of public 

leaders working to promote democracy and autonomy in 

Lebanon has placed a heavy toll on Lebanon’s intellectual 

and democratic freedoms; 

Whereas the prosecution by the proposed International Independent Investigation Commission of persons accused in 

the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri 

could deter future assassinations; 

Whereas Pierre Gemayel was born on September 24, 1972, 

into a prominent Lebanese family; 

Whereas Pierre Gemayel was first elected to the Lebanese 

Parliament in 2000; 

Whereas Pierre Gemayel was named Minister of Industry in 

the Lebanese Government in 2005; 

Whereas Amine Gemayel, the father of Pierre Gemayel and 

former President of Lebanon, has urged the Phalange 

party supporters and all Lebanese citizens to promote cooperation and solidarity and hamper attempts to instigate 

civil strife; 
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•HRES 1088 EH 

Whereas, on November 21, 2006, following Pierre Gemayel’s 

assassination, President George W. Bush stated that 

‘‘the United States remains fully committed to supporting Lebanon’s independence and democracy in the 

face of attempts by Syria, Iran, and their allies within 

Lebanon to foment instability and violence’’; 

Whereas supporting the development of democratic institutions in Lebanon is critical to promoting the interests of 

the United States in the Middle East region, building 

upon the momentum of the March 14, 2005, ‘‘Cedar Revolution’’, fighting terrorism, and supporting negotiations 

for peace in the region; and 

Whereas the House Democracy Assistance Commission has 

worked in partnership with the Lebanese Parliament to 

strengthen its institutional capacity, and met with Pierre 

Gemayel during the Commission’s delegation to Lebanon 

in July 2006: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) expresses its condolences for this heinous crime 

to the people of Lebanon and to the members of Lebanon’s Cabinet in which Pierre Gemayel served with distinction; 

(2) affirms its support for the international tribunal 

to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former 

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri; 

(3) urges that the perpetrators of the assassination 

of Pierre Gemayel be brought to justice; 

(4) conveys concern regarding the increasing polarization of Lebanon’s religious sects and calls on the Gov-
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ernment of Lebanon to actively pursue electoral reform 

as a first step in reducing confessional tensions; 

(5) recognizes that a regional peace in the Middle 

East will greatly contribute to Lebanon’s long-term security and stability; and 

(6) reaffirms the commitment of the United States 

to support and promote the development of autonomous, 

effective democratic institutions in Lebanon, including 

an independent Parliament and a strong central government that represent and serve the interests of the Lebanese people. 

Attest:

Clerk.