HRES 638 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Congratulating the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 13, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. FOXX (for herself, Mr. SNYDER, Mr. COHEN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. WEXLER, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. LATTA, Mr. CASSIDY, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Congratulating the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas every year on October 29, Turkey celebrates Republic Day, commemorating the day when Turkey became a republic;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas, on October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey was formally established and Mustafa Kemal Atatu.AE4rk, the visionary leader of modern Turkey, became its first President;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas President Barack Obama made a historic visit to Turkey on April 5-7, 2009, reaffirming the strategic relationship between the two countries and outlining a ‘model partnership’ to help resolve regional issues;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkey is a secular, pluralistic, westward-looking democracy with a predominantly Muslim population;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkey has a significant and constructive physical influence reaching into the Balkans, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas the United States and Turkey share common values of democracy, diversity, tolerance, social mobility, and the separation of religious and civic life;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Anatolia, home of the Republic of Turkey, has been a cradle of civilizations for millennia;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas the city states of the Lycian Federation, located in Patara, Turkey, inspired the Founding Fathers of the United States as they wrote the Constitution of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas the United States and Turkey have been close friends and allies for more than half a century;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkish Americans are an important part of the fabric of the United States, as evidenced by their contributions to the arts, science, academia, and business;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkish Americans serving as goodwill ambassadors promote greater understanding between the United States and Turkey, by educating people in the United States about Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, and the importance of the strategic partnership to advance mutual interests between the United States and Turkey;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkey is becoming a reliable energy hub for the Western World in a highly volatile region, completing the East-West Energy Corridor;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas for decades Turkey has stood as the bulwark of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the southeastern flank of the Alliance and guarded a long common border with the Soviet Union;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas since the end of the Cold War, Turkey has become an important partner of the United States in facing 21st century challenges such as international terrorism, ethnic and religious extremism and fundamentalism, energy security and diversity, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and international organized crime including drug and human trafficking;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkey’s membership in the European Union will further enhance its stature as a robust member of the transatlantic community;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas in July 2006, the United States and Turkey signed a ‘Shared Vision Document’, outlining a strategic vision for bilateral cooperation and coordination on a wide range of international matters of common concern;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas in 2008, Turkey was the 27th largest market for United States exports, totaling $10,440,000,000 and the 48th largest source of United States imports, totaling $4,642,000,000, resulting in a merchandise trade surplus of $5,798,000,000 for the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkey continues to play an important role in Afghanistan, having twice commanded the International Security Assistance Force, and maintains a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Wardak Province, which continues to contribute to the development of the country by building schools, hospitals, and roads; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Whereas Turkey plays a crucial role in helping supply services and equipment to United States forces in Iraq: Now, therefore, be itCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) recognizes Turkey as one of the most important strategic partners of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) commends the government and people of Turkey for strengthening its democracy and becoming a source of stability in its region;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) expresses appreciation for Turkey’s contribution to global efforts to combat international terrorism; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) congratulates the government and people of Turkey as they celebrate Republic Day.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink