IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1267 

Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of 

Colombia. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 15, 2010 

Mr. SIRES (for himself, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MEEKS of New York, and Mr. 

MACK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of 

the Republic of Colombia. 

Whereas July 20, Colombia’s Independence Day, is a national 

holiday in Colombia; 

Whereas, July 20, 2010, will mark the 200th anniversary, the 

bicentennial, of the day Colombia declared its independence from Spain; 

Whereas, on July 20, 1810, citizens of Bogota expressed 

their sovereignty by creating their first representative 

council; 

Whereas the Colombian Constitution of 1886 officially created the Republic of Colombia; 


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•HRES 1267 IH 

Whereas Colombia is recognized as Latin America’s oldest 

democracy and as one of the region’s most stable governments, where citizens elect government representatives in 

free, fair, and frequent elections; 

Whereas Colombia has created a climate of democratic security resulting in increases of investments, exports, tourism, and business with the United States; 

Whereas poverty and unemployment rates have been declining 

since 2002, and social indicators in Colombia have improved dramatically; 

Whereas Colombia’s annual gross domestic product has been 

growing, and despite the global economic downturn, in 

2009, Colombia saw a high rate of investment and foreign direct investment; 

Whereas approximately 250 United States companies are 

present in Colombia and have become allies in the country’s development; 

Whereas Colombia is the United States fourth-largest trading 

partner and the United States is Colombia’s largest trading partner; 

Whereas Colombia and the United States are cooperating 

partners in the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug 

Eradication Act, which develops economic alternatives to 

help fight against drug production and trafficking; 

Whereas Colombia and the United States are cooperating 

partners in Plan Colombia, which aims at interdicting 

and eradicating drugs and expanding the capacity of Colombian military, police, and judicial institutions; 

Whereas Colombia has pursued policies that have led to collective demobilization, voluntary surrendering of weapons, 

and overall reduced membership among armed groups, 


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•HRES 1267 IH 

such as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia 

(AUC), the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia 

(FARC), and the National Liberation Army (ELN); 

Whereas Colombia has seen a reduction in crime and declines 

in homicides since 2002, creating a safer, more prosperous country; and 

Whereas Colombia and the United States have a strong ongoing partnership regarding the promotion of democratic 

values, economic collaboration, and combating international crime: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) extends best wishes to the people of Colom3 bia as they celebrate the 200th anniversary of Co4 lombia’s independence from Spain; 

5 (2) looks forward to ongoing friendship with 

6 Colombia and continuing partnership in matters of 

7 mutual concern; and 

8 (3) applauds the Government of Colombia’s ef9 forts to enhance democratic security. 

Æ 


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