IV 

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; 


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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 ‘‘Fu ̈rst’’; 

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; 


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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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the 200th anniversary of the sov3 ereignty of the Principality of Liechtenstein; and 


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1 (2) expresses its support for efforts by the 

2 United States to continue to strengthen its relation3 ship with that country. 

Æ 


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