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 Repub-
lic 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 vi-
sionary leader of modern Turkey, became its first Presi-
dent; 
Whereas President Barack Obama made a historic visit to 
Turkey on April 5–7, 2009, reaffirming the strategic re-
lationship 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 de-
mocracy 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 con-
tributions 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 im-
portance 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 se-
curity 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 Af-
ghanistan, having twice commanded the International Se-
curity Assistance Force, and maintains a Provincial Re-
construction Team in Wardak Province, which continues 
to contribute to the development of the country by build-
ing schools, hospitals, and roads; and 
Whereas Turkey plays a crucial role in helping supply serv-
ices and equipment to United States forces in Iraq: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 638 IH 
(1) recognizes Turkey as one of the most im-
portant strategic partners of the United States; 
(2) commends the government and people of 
Turkey for strengthening its democracy and becom-
ing a source of stability in its region; 
(3) expresses appreciation for Turkey’s con-
tribution to global efforts to combat international 
terrorism; and 
(4) congratulates the government and people of 
Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day. 
Æ 
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