IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1267 
Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of 
Colombia. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 15, 2010 
Mr. SIRES (for himself, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MEEKS of New York, and Mr. 
MACK) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the independence of 
the Republic of Colombia. 
Whereas July 20, Colombia’s Independence Day, is a national 
holiday in Colombia; 
Whereas, July 20, 2010, will mark the 200th anniversary, the 
bicentennial, of the day Colombia declared its independ-
ence from Spain; 
Whereas, on July 20, 1810, citizens of Bogota expressed 
their sovereignty by creating their first representative 
council; 
Whereas the Colombian Constitution of 1886 officially cre-
ated the Republic of Colombia; 
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•HRES 1267 IH 
Whereas Colombia is recognized as Latin America’s oldest 
democracy and as one of the region’s most stable govern-
ments, where citizens elect government representatives in 
free, fair, and frequent elections; 
Whereas Colombia has created a climate of democratic secu-
rity resulting in increases of investments, exports, tour-
ism, and business with the United States; 
Whereas poverty and unemployment rates have been declining 
since 2002, and social indicators in Colombia have im-
proved dramatically; 
Whereas Colombia’s annual gross domestic product has been 
growing, and despite the global economic downturn, in 
2009, Colombia saw a high rate of investment and for-
eign direct investment; 
Whereas approximately 250 United States companies are 
present in Colombia and have become allies in the coun-
try’s development; 
Whereas Colombia is the United States fourth-largest trading 
partner and the United States is Colombia’s largest trad-
ing partner; 
Whereas Colombia and the United States are cooperating 
partners in the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug 
Eradication Act, which develops economic alternatives to 
help fight against drug production and trafficking; 
Whereas Colombia and the United States are cooperating 
partners in Plan Colombia, which aims at interdicting 
and eradicating drugs and expanding the capacity of Co-
lombian military, police, and judicial institutions; 
Whereas Colombia has pursued policies that have led to col-
lective demobilization, voluntary surrendering of weapons, 
and overall reduced membership among armed groups, 
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•HRES 1267 IH 
such as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia 
(AUC), the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia 
(FARC), and the National Liberation Army (ELN); 
Whereas Colombia has seen a reduction in crime and declines 
in homicides since 2002, creating a safer, more pros-
perous country; and 
Whereas Colombia and the United States have a strong ongo-
ing partnership regarding the promotion of democratic 
values, economic collaboration, and combating inter-
national crime: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) extends best wishes to the people of Colom-
bia as they celebrate the 200th anniversary of Co-
lombia’s independence from Spain; 
(2) looks forward to ongoing friendship with 
Colombia and continuing partnership in matters of 
mutual concern; and 
(3) applauds the Government of Colombia’s ef-
forts to enhance democratic security. 
Æ 
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