IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 297 

Congratulating the State of Qatar on the ascension of their new amir, Sheik 

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on June 25, 2013, and recognizing the 

special relationship between the United States and the State of Qatar. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 11, 2013 

Mr. GRIMM (for himself and Mr. MEEKS) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Congratulating the State of Qatar on the ascension of their 

new amir, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on June 

25, 2013, and recognizing the special relationship between the United States and the State of Qatar. 

Whereas since the signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement in 1991 and joint military coordination in Operation Desert Storm, Qatar has been one of the United 

States strongest and most valued allies in the Middle 

East; 

Whereas the 18-year reign of Sheik Tamim’s father, His 

Highness Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani marked a 

pivotal period of political modernization and reform in 

the small Gulf nation, and commenced a series of diploVerDate Mar 15 2010 22:16 Jul 11, 2013 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR297.IH HR297

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•HRES 297 IH 

matic, cultural, and economic engagement between Qatar 

and the West; 

Whereas Qatar has been a staunch partner of the United 

States in promoting peace and stability in the Arab 

world, and has been a driving force in opposing extremism and authoritarian oppression; 

Whereas Al Udeid Air Base and As Saliyah Army Base south 

of Doha have served as major operations and basing hubs 

for United States Central Command (CENTCOM) strategic central facilities in the War on Terror in Iraq and 

Afghanistan; 

Whereas in 2011, Qatar deployed fighter jets and transport 

planes to support the joint United States-North Atlantic 

Treaty Organization (NATO) military intervention 

against Muammar Qaddafi in Libya, and has also been 

one of the staunchest advocates in pressuring the international community to liberate the Syrian people from 

the oppressive Bashar al-Assad regime; 

Whereas Qatar has fostered invaluable, international academic exchange in the arts and sciences by hosting satellite campuses of major United States universities and 

medical institutions including Georgetown University 

School of Foreign Service, Cornell University, Northwestern University, Virginia Commonwealth University 

School of the Arts, Texas A&M University, and Carnegie 

Mellon University; 

Whereas the Al Thani royal family has earnestly promoted 

good will and friendship between the United States and 

Qatar, and in 2005 Amir Hamad bin Khalifa donated 

$100,000,000 to help rebuild housing, hospitals, and 

schools in the Gulf region following Hurricane Katrina; 


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•HRES 297 IH 

Whereas His Highness Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s 

background as a British-educated businessman, deputy 

head of Qatar’s armed forces, and membership on the 

International Olympic Committee perfectly suit him to 

continue his country’s legacy as a positive force for peace, 

stability, investment, and modernization in the Arab 

world and beyond; and 

Whereas the 33-year-old amir’s resonance with the young 

people in the Middle East uniquely qualify him to build 

upon the call among the youth of the Arab world to implement the ‘‘Arab Spring’s’’ promises of liberty and political reform: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) congratulates His Highness Amir Tamim 

3 bin Hamad Al Thani on his ascension to the throne; 

4 (2) expresses thanks and appreciation to the de5 parting amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; 

6 and 

7 (3) recognizes the continued friendship between 

8 the United States and the people of the State of 

9 Qatar. 

Æ 


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