H. Res. 222 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

August 2, 2013. 

Whereas the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of 

Jordan have maintained official diplomatic relations since 

1949, and during this partnership spanning over 6 decades, the United States and Jordan have developed a 

close relationship in security, economic development, and 

counterterrorism cooperation; 

Whereas a United States–Jordanian Joint Military Commission facilitates bilateral consultations between the United 

States Department of Defense and Jordanian Armed 

Forces since 1974, and has led to increased cooperation 

in regional and global counterterrorism efforts; 

Whereas Jordan has provided key security and humanitarian 

support in both Afghanistan and Iraq; 

Whereas Jordan hosted a United States-developed training 

program on human rights, proper use of force, and civil 

disturbances to further enhance peace and security in the 

West Bank; 

Whereas in 1996, the United States designated Jordan as a 

major non-NATO ally, recognizing Jordan as a close ally 

with a strategic working relationship; 

Whereas the Jordanian Armed Forces are proven reliable 

contributors to the international community, particularly 
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as a member of the United Nations, contributing 57,000 

troops to 18 different United Nations peacekeeping missions, most notably in Haiti where Jordan endured multiple casualties during such missions; 

Whereas Jordan signed the historic Jordan–Israel Peace 

Treaty on October 26, 1994, normalizing relations between Jordan and Israel by resolving territorial disputes 

and establishing a partnership towards peaceful relations; 

Whereas King Abdullah II has been a key advocate of peace 

between the Israelis and Palestinians, often reiterating 

the urgent need for peaceful reconciliation and offering to 

serve as a mediator and host for peace negotiations; 

Whereas Jordan is a leader for progress, tolerance, and moderation in the Arab and Muslim worlds; 

Whereas the economic partnership between the United States 

and Jordan was further strengthened through the signing 

of the United States–Jordan Free Trade Agreement by 

President Bill Clinton and King Abdullah II on October 

24, 2000, and fully implemented on January 1, 2010; 

Whereas in 2008, the United States and Jordan signed a 5- 

year Memorandum of Understanding in the amount of 

$360,000,000 in economic support funds and 

$300,000,000 per year in foreign military financing to 

further bolster the United States–Jordan strategic relationship; 

Whereas the United States is strongly committed to the continued development and progress of the Jordanian people, 

civil society, and political institutions, specifically in the 

areas of democracy assistance, water and energy preservation, education services, and economic development; 
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Whereas the al-Assad regime, backed by Iran and Hizballah, 

has brutally suppressed dissent, conducting a campaign 

of violence that has fueled sectarian tensions and sparked 

a civil war in Syria; 

Whereas the conflict in Syria has resulted in the loss of nearly 100,000 Syrian lives and the displacement of approximately 4,250,000 civilians, including nearly 1,800,000 

who have fled Syria; 

Whereas the Syrian conflict has contributed to sectarian conflict, extremism, and instability throughout the region; 

Whereas the Government of Jordan has accepted a heavy 

burden of hosting and providing for the security and 

basic needs of approximately 500,000 refugees, with that 

number growing every day; 

Whereas three-quarters of the refugees are women and children, and 1 in 5 refugees is under the age of 4; 

Whereas the severity of the humanitarian crisis and the large 

number of refugees in Jordan places significant economic 

and social hardships on the country; and 

Whereas the Government of Jordan has worked in partnership with the international community to provide for the 

needs of vulnerable refugee populations, including clean 

water, food, shelter, health care, and education: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) commends the people and Government of the 

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for their continued 

friendship with the United States and commitment to 

peace, security, and stability in the Middle East; 
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(2) commends the Government of Jordan for its response to the Syrian humanitarian crisis and encourages 

its continued hosting and caring for refugees fleeing violence from the conflict with the al-Assad regime; and 

(3) expresses a firm commitment to support the 

Government of Jordan as it faces regional challenges 

and works toward a more peaceful and stable Middle 

East. 

Attest: 

Clerk.