[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11] [Senate] [Pages 14413-14414] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOR ITS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the consideration S. Con. Res. 109 submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 109) commending the government of Canada for its renewed commitment to Afghanistan. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution. Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 109) was agreed to. The preamble was agreed to. The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows S. Con. Res. 109 Whereas twenty-four Canadian citizens were killed as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States; Whereas the people of Gander, Newfoundland, provided food, clothing, and shelter to thousands of stranded passengers and temporary aircraft parking to thirty-nine planes diverted from United States airspace as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States; Whereas the Government of Canada, as led by former Prime Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and continued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has provided humanitarian, diplomatic, and security personnel on the invitation of the Government of Afghanistan since 2001; Whereas Canada has pledged $650,000,000 in development aid to Afghanistan; Whereas Afghanistan is Canada's largest recipient of bilateral development aid; Whereas Canada has stationed approximately 2,300 defense personnel who comprise Task Force Afghanistan, in order to improve security in southern Afghanistan, particularly in the province of Kandahar; Whereas Canada has over 70 diplomatic officers worldwide who are dedicated to growing democracy and equality in Afghanistan; [[Page 14414]] Whereas at least seventeen Canadians have made the ultimate sacrifice in operations in Afghanistan since September 11, 2001; Whereas Canada's commitment to the Government of Afghanistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hamid Karzai, was due to expire in February 2007; Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Government of Canada led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper requested that the Canadian House of Commons extend Canada's commitment to peace and security operations in Afghanistan; Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Canadian Parliament voted to extend peace and security operations in Afghanistan until 2009, to increase its development assistance by $310 million, and to build a permanent and secure embassy in Afghanistan to replace its current facility; and Whereas this was an important sign of the renewed commitment of numerous United States allies to Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress-- (1) commends the Government of Canada for its renewed and long-term commitment to Afghanistan; (2) commends the leadership of former Canadian Prime Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and current Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their steadfast commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom throughout the world; (3) commends the Government of Canada for working to secure a democratic Afghanistan; (4) commends the Government of Canada's commitment to reducing poverty, aiding the counternarcotics efforts through counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns, and ensuring a peaceful and terror-free Afghanistan; (5) commends the Government of Canada for its three-pronged commitment to Afghanistan: diplomacy, development, and defense; and (6) expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the United States for Canada's enduring friendship and leadership in Afghanistan. ____________________