IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 638 

Congratulating the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate 

Republic Day, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 13, 2009 

Ms. FOXX (for herself, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. COHEN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, 

Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. WEXLER, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, 

Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. LATTA, Mr. CASSIDY, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, 

and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Congratulating the government and people of Turkey as they 

celebrate Republic Day, and for other purposes. 

Whereas every year on October 29, Turkey celebrates Republic Day, commemorating the day when Turkey became a 

republic; 

Whereas, on October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey was 

formally established and Mustafa Kemal Atatu ̈rk, the visionary leader of modern Turkey, became its first President; 

Whereas President Barack Obama made a historic visit to 

Turkey on April 5–7, 2009, reaffirming the strategic relationship between the two countries and outlining a 

‘‘model partnership’’ to help resolve regional issues; 


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•HRES 638 IH 

Whereas Turkey is a secular, pluralistic, westward-looking democracy with a predominantly Muslim population; 

Whereas Turkey has a significant and constructive physical 

influence reaching into the Balkans, the Middle East, the 

Caucasus, and Central Asia; 

Whereas the United States and Turkey share common values 

of democracy, diversity, tolerance, social mobility, and the 

separation of religious and civic life; 

Whereas Anatolia, home of the Republic of Turkey, has been 

a cradle of civilizations for millennia; 

Whereas the city states of the Lycian Federation, located in 

Patara, Turkey, inspired the Founding Fathers of the 

United States as they wrote the Constitution of the 

United States; 

Whereas the United States and Turkey have been close 

friends and allies for more than half a century; 

Whereas Turkish Americans are an important part of the 

fabric of the United States, as evidenced by their contributions to the arts, science, academia, and business; 

Whereas Turkish Americans serving as goodwill ambassadors 

promote greater understanding between the United 

States and Turkey, by educating people in the United 

States about Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, and the importance of the strategic partnership to advance mutual 

interests between the United States and Turkey; 

Whereas Turkey is becoming a reliable energy hub for the 

Western World in a highly volatile region, completing the 

East-West Energy Corridor; 

Whereas for decades Turkey has stood as the bulwark of the 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the 


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•HRES 638 IH 

southeastern flank of the Alliance and guarded a long 

common border with the Soviet Union; 

Whereas since the end of the Cold War, Turkey has become 

an important partner of the United States in facing 21st 

century challenges such as international terrorism, ethnic 

and religious extremism and fundamentalism, energy security and diversity, the proliferation of weapons of mass 

destruction, and international organized crime including 

drug and human trafficking; 

Whereas Turkey’s membership in the European Union will 

further enhance its stature as a robust member of the 

transatlantic community; 

Whereas in July 2006, the United States and Turkey signed 

a ‘‘Shared Vision Document’’, outlining a strategic vision 

for bilateral cooperation and coordination on a wide 

range of international matters of common concern; 

Whereas in 2008, Turkey was the 27th largest market for 

United States exports, totaling $10,440,000,000 and the 

48th largest source of United States imports, totaling 

$4,642,000,000, resulting in a merchandise trade surplus 

of $5,798,000,000 for the United States; 

Whereas Turkey continues to play an important role in Afghanistan, having twice commanded the International Security Assistance Force, and maintains a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak Province, which continues 

to contribute to the development of the country by building schools, hospitals, and roads; and 

Whereas Turkey plays a crucial role in helping supply services and equipment to United States forces in Iraq: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 638 IH 

1 (1) recognizes Turkey as one of the most im2 portant strategic partners of the United States; 

3 (2) commends the government and people of 

4 Turkey for strengthening its democracy and becom5 ing a source of stability in its region; 

6 (3) expresses appreciation for Turkey’s con7 tribution to global efforts to combat international 

8 terrorism; and 

9 (4) congratulates the government and people of 

10 Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day. 

Æ 


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