HLS 15RS-2156 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 180
BY REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WILLIAMS
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Expresses support for efforts to preserve fundamental
rights, free media, and democratic principals in Turkey
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express support for efforts to preserve fundamental rights, free media, and democratic
3 principles in Turkey.
4 WHEREAS, the United States and Turkey are longstanding allies, and Turkey is a
5key member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and a strategic partner in the Middle
6East region; and
7 WHEREAS, a strong democracy requires both tolerance and transparency, and recent
8decisions by the Turkish government to suppress dissenting voices are threats to the
9democratic principles that Turkey has previously upheld; and
10 WHEREAS, the Turkish government has become increasingly authoritarian as it
11detains journalists, suppresses political dissidents, and disregards fundamental democratic
12precepts in Turkey; and
13 WHEREAS, many have expressed alarm relative to the recent arrests of members
14of the Turkish media, media owners, and prominent journalists, which many feel are
15undermining freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity in Turkey; and
16 WHEREAS, a free media must be supported and protected to foster an environment
17open to constructive political discussion and to ensure freedom of expression; and
18 WHEREAS, in the 2010 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana, House
19Resolution No. 192 and Senate Resolution No. 137 created a Louisianian-Turkish Friendship
20Task Force to further long-standing Louisiana-Turkey relations, build upon time-honored
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HR NO. 180
1friendships, and promote the cultural, educational, academic, political, and economic
2relations between Louisianians and Turkish people; and
3 WHEREAS, a vibrant and dedicated Turkish-American community in Louisiana has
4been very active and involved in cultivating and promoting strong economic, educational,
5and social ties between Turkey and the United States.
6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
7Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express support for efforts to preserve fundamental
8rights, free media, and democratic principles in Turkey.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be transmitted
10to president and chief executive officer of the Turquoise Council of Americans and
11Eurasians.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 180 Original 2015 Regular Session Patrick Williams
Expresses support for efforts to preserve fundamental rights, free media, and democratic
principles in Turkey.
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