The U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution Tuesday praising U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata for her work over the past 10 years.

The House also praised the Office of the UNHCR for its work in helping refugees around the world for 50 years.

In a rare move by a legislature not often regarded as cooperative toward the United Nations, the resolution said the Office of the UNHCR is "one of the world's principal humanitarian organizations," which protects millions of refugees and attempts to solve refugee problems.

The resolution, submitted by Rep. Tony Hall of Ohio and four others, lauded Ogata for the "superb job of bringing both professionalism and compassion" to her nearly 10 years of work leading the organization.

Ogata became UNHCR in 1991 and has since been involved in helping refugees in countries including Iraq and Rwanda. She is set to retire later this year.

While indicating its continued support for UNHCR activities, the resolution also "calls on the international community" to help efforts "to ensure that host countries uphold humanitarian and human rights for refugees . . . and promote resettlement of refugees."

Founded in December 1950, the Office of the UNHCR has 244 branches in 118 countries and aids almost 23 million people in more than 140 countries.