GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1560

Sponsors:	Representatives Blust, Cleveland, Current, Setzer (Primary Sponsors);  Avila, Boles, Brown, Burr, Burris‑Floyd, Dockham, Folwell, Frye, Gillespie, Guice, Gulley, Hilton, Holloway, Hurley, Killian, Langdon, Lewis, McElraft, Mills, Moore, Neumann, Randleman, Rhyne, Sager, Samuelson, Starnes, Steen, Stevens, Tillis, West, and Wiley.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

April 30, 2009

A JOINT RESOLUTION REJECTING UNFAIR ATTACKS AND EXPRESSING PRIDE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Whereas, the United States of America has been unfairly attacked and pilloried at recent international forums as a cause of many of the world's problems; and

Whereas, such attacks have come primarily from leaders who have abysmal records on human rights and oppression who head nations where elections are not free and fair; and

Whereas, the President of the United States, while attending these forums, sat silently while America was under attack and has made apologies for the United States; and

Whereas, the United States of America was founded and continues to exist on the greatest set of principles and ideals ever known and articulated by man and adherence to such principles and ideals is what makes the United States of America strong, prosperous, and free; and

Whereas, the United States of America has throughout its history been what Abraham Lincoln called "the last best hope for mankind" and has been a strong, positive source of progress and good in the world; and

Whereas, the United States of America has paid a huge price in both money and the lives of its people to spread democracy, advance freedom, resist oppression, fight tyranny, and preserve liberty in places around the globe; and

Whereas, the United States of America has been the most generous nation in the history of the world in providing assistance to people throughout the world when confronted with disasters and emergencies, both natural and man‑made; and

Whereas, no nation in the history of the world has been more generous and magnanimous toward former foes after victory in war and provided more aid and help to the defeated to get back on their feet both democratically and economically; and

Whereas, freedom and prosperity would not exist in the world today without the United States of America; and

Whereas, most Americans believe no one needs to apologize for this great nation, including Ronald Wilson Reagan, who served with honor and distinction for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of America; and

Whereas, the United States of America remains a great beacon of hope for a better future to millions of people throughout the world; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly rejects the outrageous and inaccurate attacks made on the United States of America by those who have abysmal records abusing freedom and human rights or by anyone else.

SECTION 2.  The General Assembly believes in the idea of American exceptionalism and expresses great pride in America's record of defending freedom, standing for what is right, and assisting people in need throughout the world.

SECTION 3.  The General Assembly remains committed to doing all that is possible to keep this country strong, prosperous, and free.

SECTION 4.  The General Assembly honors the memory of President Ronald Wilson Reagan, who stated that he would never apologize for the United States of America.

SECTION 5.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, each member of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation, and the governors and the leadership of every legislature of each of the 50 United States.

SECTION 6.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.