IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1520 
Commending the Kingdom of Morocco for designating a ‘‘National Women’s 
Day’’ to be observed each year on October 10, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2008 
Ms. LEE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Commending the Kingdom of Morocco for designating a ‘‘Na-
tional Women’s Day’’ to be observed each year on Octo-
ber 10, and for other purposes. 
Whereas in 1777 the Kingdom of Morocco became the first 
country to recognize the United States, and the Treaty 
of Peace and Friendship signed in 1786 between Morocco 
and the United States is the longest unbroken treaty in 
the history of the United States; 
Whereas when the United States was a fledgling country in 
1789, George Washington asked Morocco for help to pro-
tect United States fleets from the Barbary pirates and 
Moroccan King Mohammed III responded with uncondi-
tional support; 
Whereas over the past 222 years, Morocco and the United 
States have developed an extensive network of political 
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and diplomatic, commercial and economic, and military 
and security relations that underscore the strength of the 
ties that bind Morocco and the United States; 
Whereas this historic friendship continues today with the 
United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, the des-
ignation of Morocco as a major non-NATO ally, and the 
$697,000,000 compact between Morocco and the United 
States Millennium Challenge Corporation; 
Whereas in his address to Parliament in October 2003, Mo-
roccan King Mohammed VI outlined fundamental re-
forms that were needed to elevate the legal status of 
women saying, ‘‘How can society progress while women, 
who represent half the nation, see their rights violated as 
a result of injustice, violence and marginalization, not-
withstanding the dignity and justice granted them by our 
glorious religion?’’; 
Whereas the Moroccan Parliament elected in 2002, including 
35 women, strengthened democratic institutions and en-
acted serious reforms, including the unanimous passage 
of the new Moudawana in 2004, a reformed family code 
of law that increased rights for children and women, 
strengthened measures to eradicate and prosecute vio-
lence against women, and assured equal involvement in 
the political system; 
Whereas King Mohammed VI, as the Commander of the 
Faithful, dispelled myths that Islam was incompatible 
with the protection of women’s rights by providing cita-
tions from the Koran to support each proposed reform to 
the Moudawana; 
Whereas 254 Moroccan women judges have partnered with 
groups such as United States Agency for International 
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Development and the American Bar Association to train 
legal professionals and educate citizens, particularly in 
rural areas, on best-practices for the implementation of 
the family code reforms; 
Whereas Morocco is the first Muslim country to officially 
train and ordain mourchidates or female religious coun-
selors; 
Whereas, on September 7, 2007, 34 women were elected to 
serve in the Moroccan Parliament in free, fair, and trans-
parent parliamentary elections that served to strengthen 
Morocco’s democratic reforms; 
Whereas 7 women currently head cabinet ministries in Mo-
rocco; and 
Whereas the Government of Morocco has proclaimed a ‘‘Na-
tional Women’s Day’’ to be observed on October 10 of 
each year: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the important political, economic, 
cultural, and artistic achievements of the Kingdom 
of Morocco and the Moroccan people; 
(2) reaffirms the unique and historic friendship 
between the people of Morocco and the United 
States; 
(3) remains committed to deepening the close 
relationship between the United States and Morocco; 
(4) commends the Moroccan people, the Gov-
ernment of Morocco, and His Majesty King Moham-
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med VI for their commitment to democracy, equal-
ity, and civic tolerance; and 
(5) congratulates the Government of Morocco 
and His Majesty King Mohammed VI for desig-
nating ‘‘National Women’s Day’’. 
Æ 
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