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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1520 Introduced in House (IH)]

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 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 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the important political, economic, cultural, 
        and artistic achievements of the Kingdom of Morocco and the 
        Moroccan people;
            (2) reaffirms the unique and historic friendship between 
        the people of Morocco and the United States;
            (3) remains committed to deepening the close relationship 
        between the United States and Morocco;
            (4) commends the Moroccan people, the Government of 
        Morocco, and His Majesty King Mohammed VI for their commitment 
        to democracy, equality, and civic tolerance; and
            (5) congratulates the Government of Morocco and His Majesty 
        King Mohammed VI for designating ``National Women's Day''.
                                 <all>
```