HRES60hFEB4

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending February 4, 2005

House Resolution 60 relating to the free election in Iraq held on January 30, 3005.

BRIEF

The Resolution notes that it was April 2003 when Iraq was liberated from Saddam Hussein, June 2004 when the Interim Government assumed sovereign authority over the country and January 30, 2005 when the Transitional National Assembly (TNA) was elected.

The TNA will choose Iraq’s Transitional Presidency Council and other Iraq leaders, serve as a transitional legislature and draft a permanent Iraqi Constitution that will be voted on by referendum.

The Resolution notes that the elections went forward despite efforts by insurgents to stop them and laments that a large number of election workers, political volunteers, security officials, candidates, innocent bystanders and ordinary citizens were victimized, and some killed, trying to vote.

The House congratulates the people of Iraq and expresses thanks to those who aided in the election process and congratulates the elected candidates.

Continued support is offered and gratitude is extended to the US Armed Forces for “their vigilant service to their country and commitment to the highest ideals and traditions” of the people of the US.

The Resolution also affirms that US Armed Forces will remain under full control of US commanders, will possess all necessary authority to fulfill their mission effectively and provide for their operational safety. All people of the World are urged to celebrate the restoration of freedom to the people of Iraq and the reaffirmation that the world is safer when democracy replaces tyranny.

Sponsor: Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX-22^nd)

Vote: Passed House 404 to 9, 3 voting ‘Present’, 18 not voting. (Feb. 2, 2005) (RC 19)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Relating to the free election in Iraq held on January 30, 2005.

Whereas in April 2003, United States Armed Forces and other Coalition forces liberated the people of Iraq from the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein;

Whereas at the end of June 2004, an Interim Government of Iraq assumed sovereign authority over Iraq;

Whereas the Interim Government of Iraq called an election for January 30, 2005, to elect a Transitional National Assembly, which will choose Iraq's Transitional Presidency Council, approve Iraq's other national leaders, serve as a transitional legislature, and draft a permanent Iraqi Constitution to be submitted to a referendum;

Whereas tens of thousands of Iraqis signed petitions nominating thousands of candidates for seats in the Transitional National Assembly under rules prescribed by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq;

Whereas thousands of Iraqis served as poll workers or observers;

Whereas a terrorist insurgency used murder and intimidation in a desperate but ultimately fruitless attempt to prevent the people of Iraq from exercising their right to choose their own leaders;

Whereas despite the efforts of Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces, a regrettably large number of Iraqi election workers, political party volunteers, security officials, candidates, and ordinary citizens attempting to participate in the political process or who were merely innocent bystanders were victimized by the insurgency, with some individuals having been killed while attempting to vote;

Whereas millions of Iraqis nevertheless exercised their right to vote, despite threats and actual violence directed against them;

Whereas Coalition forces, in cooperation with Iraqi security forces, continue to provide security for the people of Iraq; and

Whereas a representative democracy is more than a way to settle disputes but, most importantly, ascribes intrinsic value to every human being: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) congratulates the people of Iraq, in particular those individuals who participated in the political process as voters, poll workers, observers, party workers, or candidates for the Transitional National Assembly, for having taken part in the historic and inspiring Iraqi election of January 30, 2005;

(2) expresses its thanks to the Interim Government of Iraq and the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, Iraqi and Coalition security forces, and the civilian United States and international partners of the Government of Iraq for their tenacious efforts to create the conditions in which a free election could be held;

(3) expresses its condolences to the families of those Iraqis who perished while attempting to exercise their right to choose their government or while protecting Iraqis who were doing so;

(4) congratulates the candidates who were elected to Iraq's Transitional National Assembly which will be, when it is formed, the newest democratically-elected legislature in the world;

(5) offers its continued support to the people and political institutions of Iraq, including the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly, as they deal with the consequences of decades of misrule by the former regime of Saddam Hussein;

(6) expresses its gratitude to the United States Armed Forces for their ongoing valiant service to their country and commitment to the highest ideals and traditions of the people of the United States;

(7) expresses its gratitude to the families of United States Armed Forces personnel, especially the families of those who have lost loved ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Armed Forces personnel wounded in the service of their country, for their sacrifices;

(8) reaffirms that--

(A) United States Armed Forces in Iraq will remain under the full authority, direction, and control of their United States commanders; and

(B) United States Armed Forces will possess all necessary authority to fulfill their mission in Iraq effectively and to provide for their operational safety;

(9) urges the people of the United States and other countries to celebrate this latest step in the restoration of freedom to the people of Iraq; and

(10) reaffirms that the world is safer when democracy replaces tyranny.