SR0038 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0038 SRS094 00001 PLM 30001 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, This past week, the Iraqi people were able to participate in a free election for the first time in 50 years and showed the world that they supported democracy with a greater-than 60% voter turnout in that country ruled by a brutal dictator only two years ago; and

WHEREAS, It was a stated objective of Operation Iraqi Freedom to liberate the people of Iraq from a violent oppressive regime that supported terrorism in other countries and that took pleasure in the events of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, January 30, 2005, an historic election took place in Iraq - and around the world - to elect a 275-member Transitional National Assembly which will draft Iraq's new constitution to be presented to the Iraqi people for their approval in a national referendum in October 2005; and

WHEREAS, A voter-registration list of 14.3 million names was compiled in six weeks and more than 500 voter registration centers were established to help Iraqis verify their registration and on election day, Iraqis voted at approximately 5,200 voting centers across Iraq; and

WHEREAS, International support for the Iraqi election has been essential using military forces from 28 nations working alongside Iraqi forces to help establish stability and security throughout Iraq; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the Illinois men and women who paid the ultimate price to protect our country. We also recognize those who have come home with injuries sustained in the War on Terrorism on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, We owe all of our Illinois sons and daughters a great debt of gratitude for putting themselves in harm's way to protect us here at home and for giving the people of Iraq and Afghanistan a real opportunity for Freedom, Liberty, Democracy and Self-determination; and, therefore be it ; and

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Senate congratulates the Iraqi people on conducting a successful election and extends best wishes in their efforts to establish a Democratic government; and be it further

RESOLVED, In this first week after the Iraqi national election, the Members of the Illinois Senate want to once again thank the Illinois men and women who make up our National Guard and Reserve units and who are members of the regular military for their service in Iraq; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution shall be delivered to President George W. Bush and to the Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation.