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03 LC 25 3268
House Resolution 779
By: Representatives Thomas of the 43rd, Post 1, Jackson of the 124th, Post 1, Thomas of the 33rd, Post 2, Sinkfield of the 50th, Beasley-Teague of the 48th, Post 2, and others
By: Representatives Thomas of the 43rd, Post 1, Jackson of the 124th, Post 1, Thomas of the 33rd, Post 2, Sinkfield of the 50th, Beasley-Teague of the 48th, Post 2, and others
A RESOLUTION
Urging the President and Congress of the United States of
America to reaffirm our nation´s commitment to respecting world history and
cultural heritage by protecting and restoring the cultural and historical
resources of ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization in the Fertile
Crescent, known in the modern world as Iraq; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, the Wall Street Journal of Monday, April 14, 2003, page 1, reported that the United States government is budgeting over $1.2 billion for the rebuilding of Iraq and that the associated contracts may increase to several billions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, in Georgia, the Augusta Chronicle of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, on page 7A, reported that looters and arsonists had ransacked and gutted Iraq´s National Library on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, and that a nation´s intellectual legacy had gone up in smoke; and
WHEREAS, the Augusta Chronicle of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, on page 7A reported that during the week of April 7, 2003, thieves swept through the National Museum in Baghdad and stole or smashed treasures that chronicled the region´s role as the "cradle of civilization"; and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta Journal Constitution of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, reported this destruction has drawn condemnation worldwide, with many expecting the United States forces to prevent and stop the looting; and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta Journal Constitution of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, reported that the United Nations cultural agency, the British Museum, and the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are collaborating on responsive efforts to address this crisis by sending in expert teams to restore ransacked museums and are calling on customs officials, police, art dealers, neighboring countries, and various nations to block the trading of stolen antiquities; and
WHEREAS, Science Magazine of July 6, 2001, pages 32 _ 43, reported that modern day Iraq is ancient Mesopotamia and is endowed with thousands of important archeological sites, stretching across 10,000 years, including the ancient kingdoms and civilizations of Assyria and Sumeria (the biblical birthplace of the prophet Abraham), as well as the city of Babylon; and
WHEREAS, Science Magazine of July 6, 2001, reported that a spectacular collection of royal gold objects dating from Assyrian royal courts of 8th Century BC and rivaling the royal gold collection of King Tut´s tomb were scheduled to be put on display at Baghdad´s Iraq Museum in the fall of 2001; and
WHEREAS, the National Museum´s treasures included the tablets with Hammurabi´s Code, one of mankind´s earliest codes of law, from which much of the legal systems in Europe, the United States of America, and the State of Georgia have been derived.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body urge the President and Congress of the United States of America to reaffirm our country´s commitment to respecting world history by authorizing the use of all resources and military and civilian authorities necessary (including the announcement of financial rewards) to secure, protect, reclaim, recover, and restore recognized historic sites and buildings throughout Iraq, including Baghdad, as well as historic artifacts and documents lost at historic sites throughout Iraq, including the National Museum and the National Library in Baghdad and that such authorities and duties exercised should extend to seeking out looters and those disturbing the public order.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the Georgia delegation to the Congress of the United States of America.
WHEREAS, the Wall Street Journal of Monday, April 14, 2003, page 1, reported that the United States government is budgeting over $1.2 billion for the rebuilding of Iraq and that the associated contracts may increase to several billions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, in Georgia, the Augusta Chronicle of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, on page 7A, reported that looters and arsonists had ransacked and gutted Iraq´s National Library on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, and that a nation´s intellectual legacy had gone up in smoke; and
WHEREAS, the Augusta Chronicle of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, on page 7A reported that during the week of April 7, 2003, thieves swept through the National Museum in Baghdad and stole or smashed treasures that chronicled the region´s role as the "cradle of civilization"; and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta Journal Constitution of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, reported this destruction has drawn condemnation worldwide, with many expecting the United States forces to prevent and stop the looting; and
WHEREAS, the Atlanta Journal Constitution of Wednesday, April 16, 2003, reported that the United Nations cultural agency, the British Museum, and the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are collaborating on responsive efforts to address this crisis by sending in expert teams to restore ransacked museums and are calling on customs officials, police, art dealers, neighboring countries, and various nations to block the trading of stolen antiquities; and
WHEREAS, Science Magazine of July 6, 2001, pages 32 _ 43, reported that modern day Iraq is ancient Mesopotamia and is endowed with thousands of important archeological sites, stretching across 10,000 years, including the ancient kingdoms and civilizations of Assyria and Sumeria (the biblical birthplace of the prophet Abraham), as well as the city of Babylon; and
WHEREAS, Science Magazine of July 6, 2001, reported that a spectacular collection of royal gold objects dating from Assyrian royal courts of 8th Century BC and rivaling the royal gold collection of King Tut´s tomb were scheduled to be put on display at Baghdad´s Iraq Museum in the fall of 2001; and
WHEREAS, the National Museum´s treasures included the tablets with Hammurabi´s Code, one of mankind´s earliest codes of law, from which much of the legal systems in Europe, the United States of America, and the State of Georgia have been derived.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body urge the President and Congress of the United States of America to reaffirm our country´s commitment to respecting world history by authorizing the use of all resources and military and civilian authorities necessary (including the announcement of financial rewards) to secure, protect, reclaim, recover, and restore recognized historic sites and buildings throughout Iraq, including Baghdad, as well as historic artifacts and documents lost at historic sites throughout Iraq, including the National Museum and the National Library in Baghdad and that such authorities and duties exercised should extend to seeking out looters and those disturbing the public order.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the Georgia delegation to the Congress of the United States of America.