IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1520 

Commending the Kingdom of Morocco for designating a ‘‘National Women’s 

Day’’ to be observed each year on October 10, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 

Ms. LEE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Commending the Kingdom of Morocco for designating a ‘‘National Women’s Day’’ to be observed each year on October 10, and for other purposes. 

Whereas in 1777 the Kingdom of Morocco became the first 

country to recognize the United States, and the Treaty 

of Peace and Friendship signed in 1786 between Morocco 

and the United States is the longest unbroken treaty in 

the history of the United States; 

Whereas when the United States was a fledgling country in 

1789, George Washington asked Morocco for help to protect United States fleets from the Barbary pirates and 

Moroccan King Mohammed III responded with unconditional support; 

Whereas over the past 222 years, Morocco and the United 

States have developed an extensive network of political 


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•HRES 1520 IH 

and diplomatic, commercial and economic, and military 

and security relations that underscore the strength of the 

ties that bind Morocco and the United States; 

Whereas this historic friendship continues today with the 

United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, the designation of Morocco as a major non-NATO ally, and the 

$697,000,000 compact between Morocco and the United 

States Millennium Challenge Corporation; 

Whereas in his address to Parliament in October 2003, Moroccan King Mohammed VI outlined fundamental reforms that were needed to elevate the legal status of 

women saying, ‘‘How can society progress while women, 

who represent half the nation, see their rights violated as 

a result of injustice, violence and marginalization, notwithstanding the dignity and justice granted them by our 

glorious religion?’’; 

Whereas the Moroccan Parliament elected in 2002, including 

35 women, strengthened democratic institutions and enacted serious reforms, including the unanimous passage 

of the new Moudawana in 2004, a reformed family code 

of law that increased rights for children and women, 

strengthened measures to eradicate and prosecute violence against women, and assured equal involvement in 

the political system; 

Whereas King Mohammed VI, as the Commander of the 

Faithful, dispelled myths that Islam was incompatible 

with the protection of women’s rights by providing citations from the Koran to support each proposed reform to 

the Moudawana; 

Whereas 254 Moroccan women judges have partnered with 

groups such as United States Agency for International 


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•HRES 1520 IH 

Development and the American Bar Association to train 

legal professionals and educate citizens, particularly in 

rural areas, on best-practices for the implementation of 

the family code reforms; 

Whereas Morocco is the first Muslim country to officially 

train and ordain mourchidates or female religious counselors; 

Whereas, on September 7, 2007, 34 women were elected to 

serve in the Moroccan Parliament in free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections that served to strengthen 

Morocco’s democratic reforms; 

Whereas 7 women currently head cabinet ministries in Morocco; and 

Whereas the Government of Morocco has proclaimed a ‘‘National Women’s Day’’ to be observed on October 10 of 

each year: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the important political, economic, 

3 cultural, and artistic achievements of the Kingdom 

4 of Morocco and the Moroccan people; 

5 (2) reaffirms the unique and historic friendship 

6 between the people of Morocco and the United 

7 States; 

8 (3) remains committed to deepening the close 

9 relationship between the United States and Morocco; 

10 (4) commends the Moroccan people, the Gov11 ernment of Morocco, and His Majesty King MohamVerDate Aug 31 2005 23:08 Oct 01, 2008 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1520.IH HR1520

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•HRES 1520 IH 

1 med VI for their commitment to democracy, equal2 ity, and civic tolerance; and 

3 (5) congratulates the Government of Morocco 

4 and His Majesty King Mohammed VI for desig5 nating ‘‘National Women’s Day’’. 

Æ 


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