[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 577 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                          May 11, 2004.
Whereas on May 9, 1950, a proposal that the countries of Europe, committed to 
        promoting a united Europe, was introduced and led to the founding in 
        1951 of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which has evolved 
        into the European Union (EU);
Whereas in November 1953 the United States sent its first diplomatic observers 
        to the European Coal and Steel Community;
Whereas in 1954 the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community 
        commissioned the United States law firm of Cleary and Gottlieb to open 
        an Information Office in Washington, District of Columbia, thus 
        establishing the first official presence of the precursor to the 
        European Union in the United States;
Whereas on November 18, 2003, Secretary of State Colin Powell, while in 
        Brussels, Belgium, dedicating a plaque commemorating 50 years of 
        cooperation between the United States and the European Union stated that 
        ``the United States embraces the European Union as a global partner for 
        peace and security . . . and that the world's best hope for meeting 
        [global] challenges still rests, in large part, on a deep, broad, and 
        lasting partnership between Europe and the United States'';
Whereas although differences of opinion have existed on a broad array of issues 
        over the past 50 years, there remains an important foundation of shared 
        values across the Atlantic which reaffirms that the current strengths 
        and common interests of the United States and the European Union far 
        outweigh the differences;
Whereas an effective political partnership between the United States and the 
        European Union has continued to develop over the past 50 years in many 
        areas of vital common interest which has resulted in the United States 
        and European Union consistently and effectively working together for 
        prosperous, stable, and democratic world;
Whereas the events of the past several years, including the events of September 
        11, 2001, have increased the need for forceful and coordinated strategic 
        cooperation between the United States and the European Union on 
        economic, trade, and domestic and foreign security matters;
Whereas the economic foundations for the United States-European Union 
        partnership are a central and irreversible reality of the world economy;
Whereas to effectively manage the United States-European Union partnership, 
        closer institutional linkages and other mechanisms to facilitate more 
        direct and continuous United States-European Union dialogue are 
        necessary; and
Whereas in May 2004, an event commemorating 50 years of relations between the 
        United States and the European Union took place in Washington, District 
        of Columbia: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of relations between the United 
        States and the European Union;
            (2) commends the United States mission to the European Union and the 
        mission of the European Commission to the United States for the 
        professional representation of the interests of the United States and 
        European Union over the past 50 years;
            (3) recognizes that continued cooperation between the United States 
        and the European Union is essential to resolving international disputes, 
        promoting peace, expanding global economic opportunity, combating global 
        threats, and being prepared to respond to unforeseen events; and
            (4) encourages enhanced United States-European Union strategic 
        discussion and institutional cooperation, including increased 
        discussions between representatives of the United States Congress and 
        the European Parliament through the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.