IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 353
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the visit to the United 
States of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan beginning Janu-
ary 26, 2004. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 28, 2004
Mr. WEXLER (for himself, Mr. WHITFIELD, Ms. GRANGER, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. 
ADERHOLT, and Mr. GUTKNECHT) submitted the following concurrent 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Rela-
tions 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the visit 
to the United States of Turkish Prime Minister Recep 
Tayyip Erdogan beginning January 26, 2004.
Whereas for more than 50 years a strategic partnership has 
existed between the United States and Turkey which has 
been of significant political, economic, cultural, and stra-
tegic benefit to both nations; 
Whereas the United States and Turkey share common ideals 
and a clear vision for the 21st century, where freedom 
and democracy are the foundations for peace, prosperity, 
and progress; 
Whereas Turkey has demonstrated its unequivocal support 
for the war against terrorism throughout the world, and
•HCON 353 IH 
has called for the international community to unite 
against this scourge; 
Whereas Turkey organized and commanded the International 
Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan from 
June 2002 to February 2003; 
Whereas Turkey became the first predominantly Muslim na-
tion to authorize sending up to 10,000 peacekeepers to 
Iraq in October 2003, when the Turkish Parliament 
voted to do so even before a United Nations resolution 
on this issue was adopted; 
Whereas the two terrorist bombings in Turkey on November 
15, 2003, and November 20, 2003, although intended to 
create a wedge between Turkey and the West, drew the 
United States and Turkey even closer together; 
Whereas the Turkish Government immediately condemned 
the terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms, de-
tained the perpetrators, and quickly brought them to jus-
tice; 
Whereas Turkey has made its bases in Incirlik available to 
the United States as a transit point for American troops 
in Iraq returning to the United States; 
Whereas Turkey has been a valued member of the North At-
lantic Treaty Organization since 1952, serving as the 
southeastern flank of the Transatlantic alliance through-
out the Cold War; 
Whereas the United States has always and will continue to 
support Turkey’s accession to the European Union; 
Whereas Turkey and Israel, the only democracies in the Mid-
dle East, established diplomatic relations in 1949, and 
have a multifaceted and thriving relationship;
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Whereas the upcoming historic visit to the United States of 
Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is an-
other significant step in broadening and deepening the 
friendship and cooperation between the United States 
and Turkey; and 
Whereas Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will 
bring a strong message from the Turkish people that 
Turkey will continue to support the United States cam-
paign against international terrorism and efforts to re-
build and bring democracy and stability to Afghanistan 
and Iraq: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) offers its warmest welcome to Prime Min-
ister Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon his visit to the 
United States from January 26 through 31, 2004; 
(2) asks Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan 
to communicate to the people of Turkey the con-
tinuing support of the Congress and of the American 
people; 
(3) recognizes that the visit of Prime Minister 
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the United States is a sig-
nificant step toward broadening and deepening the 
strategic partnership, friendship, and cooperation be-
tween the United States and Turkey; and 
(4) thanks Prime Minister Recep Tayyip 
Erdogan and the Government and people of Turkey 
for assuming command and leading the Inter-
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national Security Assistance Force in Kabul and for 
their humanitarian and medical assistance in Af-
ghanistan and post-war Iraq, as well as for their 
willingness to contribute to international peace, sta-
bility, and prosperity, especially in the greater Mid-
dle East region.
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