Resolution congratulating Democrats for their efforts at home and abroad to win elections across the country - adopted November 16, 2008 in Istanbul, Turkey WHEREAS, Americans around the world have mobilized to bring real change to our country's leadership, recognizing that our global reputation has been damaged by the Republican Administration's misguided foreign and economic policies; WHEREAS, Democrats Abroad facilitated the participation of Americans living from Antarctica to Zambia in more than 160 countries and territories by holding the first Global Primary with voting in-person, online, by mail and fax, and by ensuring that voters overseas in more than 200 countries and territories have easy access to absentee ballot registration and requests through www.VoteFromAbroad.org; WHEREAS, Democrats Abroad overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama in our state party primary, generating the eleventh straight win for our presidential candidate; WHEREAS, Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to all Americans – at home and abroad – with policies ensuring that we can meet the challenges of the 21st century successfully, through effective leadership and by restoring our Democratic values, by reducing the tax burden for the middle class, creating green jobs, acting on an economic plan stabilizing our fragile markets, setting a timetable for ending the war in Iraq and bringing our combat troops home, recognizing the rule of law, and engaging with the world; WHEREAS, our Democratic candidates have also reaffirmed the values that we hold dear, calling for an America that reengages with the world, reestablishes its leadership role in today's global financial, political and energy environment, and provides the basis for opportunity for all Americans, by investing in education and health care; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Democrats Abroad thanks the Americans around the world who have helped win elections across the country, for their invaluable contributions in building a stronger Party, getting out the vote, and for their dedicated efforts during the course of this critical election year; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Democrats Abroad congratulates our state party colleagues who have helped win races across the country, Governor Howard Dean for his vision in implementing the 50-state strategy and for his ongoing support of all 56 state parties, and the Democratic National Committee's for its investment in our own state party and funding for field staff and advertising around the world; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Democrats Abroad congratulates the Obama Campaign for its understanding that Americans around the world are actively engaged in efforts to support our Democratic candidates, and for its engagement with voters overseas; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Democrats Abroad congratulates President- Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden and all our Congressional Democrats whose overwhelming success delivers a long overdue mandate for change.