108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 436
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Republic of South Africa peacefully and success-
fully held democratic elections and transitioned to a
democratic, nonracial form of government in 1994;
Whereas South Africa helped initiate and frame the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development as a new partner-
ship between Africa and the rest of the world in order
to place the continent of Africa on the path to sustain-
•HCON 436 EH
able development and to further the values of democracy
and economic reform throughout Africa;
Whereas South Africa actively supports the South African
Development Community, which promotes regional eco-
nomic cooperation and higher standards of living in
Southern Africa;
Whereas South Africa has made significant advances in hous-
ing by constructing 1,600,000 houses for the poor of
South Africa;
Whereas, since 1994, 9,000,000 people in South Africa have
gained access to clean water;
Whereas, before 1994, 22,000,000 people in South Africa did
not have access to adequate sanitation, but 63 percent of
households in South Africa now have access to adequate
sanitation;
Whereas, before 1994, 60 percent of people in South Africa
did not have electricity, but more than 70 percent of
households in South Africa now have electricity;
Whereas, from 1994 to 2004, secondary school enrollment in
South Africa increased from 70 percent to 85 percent,
and students in South Africa now learn in a racially inte-
grated school system;
Whereas the Government of South Africa has established nu-
tritional and educational programs to benefit the young-
est and poorest people in South Africa;
Whereas South Africa is experiencing the longest period of
consistent positive growth, as measured by its gross do-
mestic product (GDP), since growth in GDP was prop-
erly recorded in the 1940s;
•HCON 436 EH
Whereas F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela share a Nobel
Peace Prize for their work in ending apartheid in South
Africa and establishing a representative government;
Whereas Desmond Tutu led the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission to repair injustices among South Africans
and improve race relations in the country, and was
awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts;
Whereas South Africa has contributed troops to peacekeeping
efforts in Burundi, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Ethiopia, and Eritrea;
Whereas South Africa President Thabo Mbeki has forged a
relationship with President George W. Bush, making
three state visits to the United States and hosting Presi-
dent Bush during his visit to Pretoria, South Africa;
Whereas South Africa has served as an inspiration for other
African nations striving for democracy and the peaceful
cooperation of many ethnic groups;
Whereas, after being isolated for many years because of the
odious system of apartheid, South Africa has since 1994
become a premier location for large international con-
ferences, a leading tourist destination, and the locale for
numerous films; and
Whereas, in 1993, the Government of South Africa volun-
tarily halted its biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons
programs and, in 1994, hosted the first conference in Af-
rica on the implementation of the Convention on the Pro-
hibition on the Development, Production, Stockpiling,
and Use of Chemical Weapons and On Their Destruction,
with annexes, done at Paris January 13, 1993, and en-
tered into force April 29, 1997: Now, therefore, be it
•HCON 436 EH
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress—
(1) applauds the Republic of South Africa for
the remarkable transition to a democratic govern-
ment and the tremendous progress achieved during
10 years of majority rule;
(2) looks forward to a continued partnership
with South Africa focused on a sustained commit-
ment to the health of South Africans; and
(3) anticipates continued social development
and economic growth in South Africa.
Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 2004.
Attest:
Clerk.