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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 348 Introduced in House (IH)]

109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 348

    Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting 
        democratic parliamentary elections in May and June 2005.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 30, 2005

  Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Rahall, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Dingell, and Mr. 
Boustany) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting 
        democratic parliamentary elections in May and June 2005.

Whereas parliamentary elections were held in Lebanon on May 29, June 5, June 12, 
        and June 19, 2005, for the first time without the presence of foreign 
        forces since the pre-civil war Parliament was elected in 1972;
Whereas Lebanon is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 
        the Lebanese exercised their rights under the Declaration to assemble 
        peacefully and participate in the government of the country by freely 
        choosing their representatives as guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21 of 
        the Declaration;
Whereas Lebanon has a vibrant democratic tradition that dates back to Lebanon's 
        independence from France in 1943;
Whereas Lebanon's democratic tradition can serve as an inspiration as the desire 
        for democratic reform, free elections, and representative government 
        takes hold in other countries;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004) underscored the 
        importance of a free and fair electoral process in Lebanon; and
Whereas, while sectarian sentiments emerged during the parliamentary elections 
        in Lebanon, there is a recognition on the part of the Lebanese that 
        sovereignty, independence, and political tolerance can be achieved when 
        loyalty to Lebanon's national interest becomes the driving force in the 
        formulation of Lebanon's national policies: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the people of Lebanon for their 
        determination to peacefully demonstrate and assemble, conduct 
        parliamentary elections in May and June 2005, and exercise 
        their right to vote in the face of the political assassination 
        of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, bombings, and 
        intimidation;
            (2) urges the new 128-member parliamentary assembly in 
        Lebanon to take steps to heal sectarian divisions and fulfill 
        the Government of Lebanon's obligation to the international 
        community to implement the provisions of United Nations 
        Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004) that call for the 
        disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese 
        militias and extending government control over all Lebanese 
        territory;
            (3) recognizes that peaceful change of power and the 
        process of democratization in Lebanon should be recognized as 
        an important step toward the advancement of democracy in the 
        Middle East;
            (4) continues to support vigorous involvement by members of 
        the international community to facilitate investigations into 
        the terrorist attacks in Lebanon and efforts to bring the 
        perpetrators of assassinations and bombings to justice; and
            (5) expresses support for increasing measures and programs 
        designed to reduce poverty, provide for better living 
        conditions, increase security, and support the development of 
        democracy in Lebanon.
                                 <all>
```