IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 712 
Commending the people of Iraqi Kurdistan for reaffirming in the July 25, 
2009, parliamentary elections the region’s dedication to democratic ideals 
and congratulating all the political slates and candidates that participated 
in the elections, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 31, 2009 
Mr. FILNER (for himself, Mr. GRAVES, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, and 
Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Commending the people of Iraqi Kurdistan for reaffirming 
in the July 25, 2009, parliamentary elections the region’s 
dedication to democratic ideals and congratulating all 
the political slates and candidates that participated in 
the elections, and for other purposes. 
Whereas at least since Iraq’s liberation in 2003, the people 
of Kurdistan have fulfilled the dreams of Kurdish move-
ment founders who envisioned a stable democracy in 
Iraqi Kurdistan; 
Whereas the centerpiece of democracy in Iraqi Kurdistan is 
its system of fair and free elections; 
Whereas on July 25, 2009, the people of the Kurdistan Re-
gion of Iraq—Kurds and non-Kurds, Muslims, and Chris-
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•HRES 712 IH 
tians—went to the polls in large numbers in a peaceful 
election and projections indicate that almost 80 percent 
of eligible voters participated in the elections; 
Whereas Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, the 
country’s formal elections organization, said in a state-
ment following the elections in Iraqi Kurdistan that ‘‘the 
electoral process took place in accordance with inter-
national standards’’; 
Whereas voters in Iraqi Kurdistan have ensured in the elec-
tions representation from every constituency within the 
region: Turkoman, Christians, and Armenians as well as 
Kurds will be elected among the candidates who ran from 
more than 25 political slates participating in the elec-
tions; 
Whereas at least 30 percent of the new Kurdistan Region 
parliament will be women members; and 
Whereas these elections are only the latest example of Iraqi 
Kurdistan’s commitment to the democratic ideals of free-
dom and pluralism, values that it shares with the United 
States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) commends the people of Iraqi Kurdistan for 
reaffirming in the July 25, 2009, parliamentary 
elections the region’s dedication to democratic ideals; 
(2) congratulates all the political slates and 
candidates that participated in the elections; and 
(3) pledges to work with the President of the 
United States and the newly elected Kurdistan Re-
gional Government (KRG) to strengthen the bonds 
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•HRES 712 IH 
between the United States and Iraqi Kurdistan and 
to advance the cause of peace in Iraq. 
Æ 
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