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[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 265 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 265

    To express the sense of the Senate concerning district council 
             elections in Hong Kong on September 18, 1994.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 21 (legislative day, September 12), 1994

   Mr. Brown (for himself and Mr. DeConcini) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

           September 29 (legislative day, September 12), 1994

                 Reported by Mr. Pell without amendment

            October 5 (legislative day, September 12), 1994

                        Considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    To express the sense of the Senate concerning district council 
             elections in Hong Kong on September 18, 1994.

Whereas the United States strongly supports the development of effective, 
        functioning democratic institutions worldwide;
Whereas the government of Hong Kong successfully conducted its first District 
        Board elections on September 18th;
Whereas voter registration for the September 18th district council elections in 
        Hong Kong was higher than ever before;
Whereas the number of candidates running for District Board positions is higher 
        than in any previous election in Hong Kong's history;
Whereas Hong Kong has recently taken bold strides to increase democracy and 
        expand the rule of law;
Whereas the rule of law is essential to the effective functioning of a market 
        economy;
Whereas Hong Kong currently is one of the world's leading market economies;
Whereas recent electoral reforms in Hong Kong are consistent with the Joint 
        Declaration and the Basic Law for Hong Kong;
Whereas Hong Kong is an important friend and trading partner of the United 
        States;
Whereas the people of the United States and Hong Kong have long maintained 
        close, friendly ties;
Whereas the stability of Hong Kong and the continuance of its special status are 
        of great importance to the United States;
Whereas, to be effective, the rule of law must be firmly based upon the consent 
        of those it governs; and
Whereas one of the most effective methods to protect against corruption is to 
        ensure a government that is accountable to those it governs: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate:
            (1) Free and fair elections are an essential component of a 
        stable, democratic government in Hong Kong that is free from 
        corruption.
            (2) The people of Hong Kong should be congratulated for the 
        recent success of the District Board elections and for the 
        progress of democratic reforms that support the rule of law in 
        Hong Kong.
            (3) The United States should make every effort to support 
        the progress of democratic reforms in Hong Kong and to 
        encourage all parties to protect these gains as the 1997 
        transition approaches.
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