H. Res. 60

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;
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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 Govern-
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ment 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—
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(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.