•HRES 1410 IH 
that ‘‘in an era where a statement can cross continents 
in a manner of seconds, it is essential that officials con-
sider how terms translate, and how they will resonate 
with a variety of audiences’’; 
Whereas the success of American diplomacy and the achieve-
ment of foreign policy goals will rely in part on the 
United States repairing its diminished reputation and 
credibility worldwide and consistently reaching out to and 
partnering with countries around the world, in both 
words and deeds, where current views of our Nation are 
very low; 
Whereas the United States cannot have a constructive foreign 
policy in regions like the Middle East, northern Africa, 
or South Asia if its organs of national policy do not en-
gage in thoughtful and constructive dialogue and policy 
making; 
Whereas there are mainstream and moderate groups in the 
Middle East and throughout the world willing to work to 
achieve peace; 
Whereas tough-sounding rhetoric is not an effective sub-
stitute for consistent and multilateral diplomacy and 
statecraft, financial or military assistance, or leadership; 
Whereas Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has noted the 
‘‘need for a dramatic increase in spending on the civilian 
instruments of national security—diplomacy, strategic 
communications, foreign assistance, civic action, and eco-
nomic reconstruction and development’’; 
Whereas while it is appropriate to denounce violence against 
innocent civilians and terrorist acts, diplomacy does not 
consist solely or largely of denouncing, condemning, or 
threatening; 
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•HRES 1410 IH 
Whereas it should be noted that Israel has entered into talks 
with Syria, mediated by Turkey, to discuss the Golan 
Heights; struck a deal with Hezbollah to exchange the re-
mains of soldiers and prisoners, with Germany acting as 
a mediator; and media reports continue to indicate that 
Israel may be working to reach a cease fire with Hamas, 
through mediators, in Gaza; and 
Whereas the 9/11 Commission recommended that ‘‘The 
United States Government must define what the message 
is, what it stands for . . . [and] should offer an example 
of moral leadership in the world, committed to treat peo-
ple humanely, abide by the rule of law, and be generous 
and caring to our neighbors’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes that support for free speech, es-
pecially as protected by the 1st Amendment to the 
Constitution, is a hallmark of our Nation’s political 
discourse; 
(2) recognizes that achieving important national 
security and international priorities will require re-
straint and wisdom on the part of our Nation’s lead-
ers and diplomats, particularly the use of provoca-
tive language which may undermine legitimate diplo-
matic and national security efforts; 
(3) expresses concern about the potential ad-
verse effects of growing negative perceptions of the 
United States around the globe on efforts to address 
global threats facing our Nation; 
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•HRES 1410 IH 
(4) reaffirms support for policies and actions 
that address and reverse the dangerous degradation 
of America’s global standing and influence, which 
should stress the use of statements and policies that 
emphasize American values and focus on our diplo-
matic goals and objectives, not personalities and 
characterizations; 
(5) recognizes that diplomacy, engagement, and 
gaining international support will be critical to the 
success of American efforts, both bilaterally and 
multilaterally, to reach agreements on issues such as 
securing peace between Israelis and Palestinians, 
furthering international efforts to curb Iran’s nu-
clear ambitions, bringing an end to the genocide in 
Darfur, and addressing the global food crisis and 
HIV/AIDS pandemic; 
(6) urges the Department of State and other 
Federal agencies to continue to make proactive ef-
forts to recognize and incorporate the importance of 
using communications and language wisely and stra-
tegically in diplomatic and other efforts to deal with 
the threats facing our country; 
(7) recognizes the need for international players 
to stop using rhetoric that merely promotes and fos-
ters animosity; and 
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•HRES 1410 IH 
(8) calls on all parties, including the Adminis-
tration and the international community, to engage 
in constructive activities, statements, and resolutions 
that promote an environment conducive to dialogue 
and diplomacy. 
Æ 
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