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






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 577

Recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States Government 
                        and the European Union.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 25, 2004

 Mr. Bereuter (for himself, Mr. Wexler, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia, 
    Mr. Lantos, Mr. Delahunt, and Ms. Lee) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States Government 
                        and the European Union.

Whereas on May 9, 1950, 6 countries of Europe, committed to promoting a united 
        Europe, founded 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 Clearly 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 will take 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 Legislator's Dialogue.
                                 <all>