; Whereas support for democracy around the world enhances regional peace and stability, opens doors for economic opportunity, and provides a counterweight to violent and radical extremism—all of which is in the national security interests of the United States and its allies; Whereas democratic systems of government enshrine the individual human rights of all citizens, so that every individual can contribute to and enjoy the benefits of peaceful, prosperous societies; Whereas the United States supports the existence of and has often worked in partnership with independent and multilateral human rights organizations, both at local and international levels, and has used their reporting for policy development and referred to their findings in the annual Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and other United States policy documents; Whereas the idea of America enshrined in our democratic principles is one of our greatest competitive strengths, such that when we abandon these values and adopt the flawed principles and tactics of our adversaries, we become weaker as a country and undermine our standing around the world; Whereas some countries are actively promoting an authoritarian model of government as an alternative to the model long advanced by the United States based on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, with the authoritarian model representing a threat to the role and influence of the United States in the world; Whereas some countries hostile to the democratic principles and values the United States has long promoted are also working to erode international alliances and organizations dedicated to advancing those principles, thereby placing United States security and economic interests at risk; and Whereas the United States has historically allied most closely and productively with those countries committed to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law: Now, therefore, be it