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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 962 Introduced in House (IH)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 962

      Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the sovereignty of the 
 Principality of Liechtenstein, and expressing the support for efforts 
 by the United States to continue to strengthen its relationship with 
                             that country.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 27, 2006

 Mr. Stearns submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
      Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the sovereignty of the 
 Principality of Liechtenstein, and expressing the support for efforts 
 by the United States to continue to strengthen its relationship with 
                             that country.

Whereas Liechtenstein is nestled between Switzerland and Austria in the Upper 
        Rhine valley of the European Alps, and is one of only two landlocked 
        countries in the world surrounded by other landlocked countries;
Whereas Liechtenstein has approximately 35,000 inhabitants, primarily Roman 
        Catholics of German ethnicity;
Whereas the modern country of Liechtenstein once formed part of the ancient 
        Roman province of Rhaetia;
Whereas, in 1806, Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, and Liechtenstein 
        became a sovereign country for the first time;
Whereas after World War II, Liechtenstein's advantageously low corporate tax 
        rates drew many companies to the country;
Whereas Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic 
        and parliamentary basis, headed by its ruling Prince, called ``Furst'';
Whereas the parliament of Liechtenstein, the ``Landtag'', consists of 25 
        representatives, elected for four year terms by proportional 
        representation in two multi-seat constituencies, ten representing the 
        lowland area and 15 representing the highland area;
Whereas Liechtenstein maintains a strong system of checks and balances between 
        the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government;
Whereas Liechtenstein's system vests significant power within the monarchy, 
        bolstered by a popular referendum in March 2004 where 64 percent 
        supported the Prince's powers;
Whereas Liechtenstein achieved female suffrage on July 1, 1984, voting in a 
        referendum to grant women the right to vote in national elections;
Whereas, in just the last 60 years, Liechtenstein developed from a mainly 
        agrarian country to one of the most highly industrialized countries in 
        the world;
Whereas despite its small geographic area and limited natural resources, 
        Liechtenstein has a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise 
        economy, and boasts a surprisingly strong financial service sector;
Whereas low business and income taxes, as well as relatively simple rules of 
        incorporation and a tradition of strict bank secrecy, have induced about 
        70,000 holding companies to set up offices in Liechtenstein;
Whereas, since 1999, the United States has been the most important export market 
        for members of the Liechtenstein Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 
        totaling $561 million;
Whereas since the signing of a customs treaty in 1923, Liechtenstein and 
        Switzerland have represented one mutual economic area;
Whereas Liechtenstein also uses the Swiss franc as its national currency, and 
        Swiss customs officers secure Liechtenstein's border with Austria;
Whereas Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area since May 
        1995 and is working to harmonize its economic policies more closely with 
        the European Union;
Whereas Liechtenstein abolished its military in 1868 and has exercised 
        neutrality in its foreign affairs; and
Whereas Liechtenstein is an active member in international organizations such as 
        the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the World Trade 
        Organization, the International Court of Justice, and the United 
        Nations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the 200th anniversary of the sovereignty of 
        the Principality of Liechtenstein; and
            (2) expresses its support for efforts by the United States 
        to continue to strengthen its relationship with that country.
                                 <all>
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