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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 706 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 706

 Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting free, 
     fair, and democratic parliamentary elections on June 7, 2009.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2009

  Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. 
    Carnahan, Ms. Kaptur, and Mr. Delahunt) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting free, 
     fair, and democratic parliamentary elections on June 7, 2009.

Whereas the parliamentary elections held in Lebanon on June 7, 2009, were 
        observed by sanctioned international monitoring missions and determined 
        to be free, fair, and to reflect the democratic will of the Lebanese 
        people;
Whereas several recommendations of the National Commission on Electoral Law were 
        adopted to revise and reform the electoral system ahead of the June 2009 
        elections;
Whereas the Ministry of Interior, Lebanese Armed Forces, and Internal Security 
        Forces, through their respective roles of administering and supervising 
        the parliamentary elections, demonstrated a strong commitment to 
        professionalism and the integrity of the electoral process;
Whereas the United States supports full implementation of all United Nations 
        Security Council resolutions regarding Lebanon, including Resolutions 
        1559, 1680, and 1701;
Whereas unexploded ordinance and landmines remain a hazard, and the repair and 
        restoration of Lebanese infrastructure remains a challenge for the 
        Government of Lebanon;
Whereas assistance by the United States can stimulate the Government of Lebanon 
        to address broad national concerns about the fair distribution of 
        government services, economic opportunities, and employment, which are 
        essential for a peaceful and prosperous society;
Whereas continued support for civil society and educational institutions would 
        enhance Lebanon's capacity for governance;
Whereas the people of Lebanon have a rich and proud history, dating from ancient 
        times to the present, and a democratic tradition for much of its modern 
        history;
Whereas Lebanon and the United States have enjoyed a history of friendship and 
        cooperation which has been evidenced by the immigration of millions of 
        Lebanese to the United States where they and their descendants have 
        contributed greatly to the fabric of life in the United States; and
Whereas an independent, democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Lebanon is in the 
        national security interest of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the Republic of Lebanon for successfully 
        conducting free, fair, transparent, and democratic 
        parliamentary elections;
            (2) commends the people of Lebanon for demonstrating their 
        commitment to a free and fair electoral process, furthermore 
        recognizing their adoption of significant electoral reforms in 
        the areas of campaign finance, media regulations, 
        accreditation, and transparency;
            (3) expresses support for United States economic assistance 
        to be used to stimulate and promote additional efforts by the 
        Government of Lebanon to increase security, reduce poverty and 
        unemployment, and facilitate the fair distribution of 
        government services and economic opportunity towards the goal 
        of a peaceful, prosperous Lebanon; and
            (4) affirms that rather than a battleground for foreign 
        confrontation or competition, Lebanon, as a fully sovereign and 
        independent nation, at peace with its neighbors, is critical to 
        the national security of the United States and a respected 
        partner in the Middle East.
                                 <all>
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