[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 201 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 201

  Welcoming the Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Lee Hsien 
 Loong, on the occasion of his visit to the United States, expressing 
    gratitude to the Government of Singapore for its support in the 
   reconstruction of Iraq and its strong cooperation with the United 
     States in the campaign against terrorism, and reaffirming the 
  commitment of Congress to the continued expansion of friendship and 
          cooperation between the United States and Singapore.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 30, 2005

 Mr. Ortiz (for himself and Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Welcoming the Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Lee Hsien 
 Loong, on the occasion of his visit to the United States, expressing 
    gratitude to the Government of Singapore for its support in the 
   reconstruction of Iraq and its strong cooperation with the United 
     States in the campaign against terrorism, and reaffirming the 
  commitment of Congress to the continued expansion of friendship and 
          cooperation between the United States and Singapore.

Whereas Congress is pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of Singapore, His 
        Excellency Lee Hsien Loong, on his visit to the United States;
Whereas the United States and Singapore have a strong and enduring friendship;
Whereas the United States and Singapore share a common vision in ensuring the 
        continued peace, stability, and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region;
Whereas Singapore is the 15th largest trading partner of the United States while 
        the United States is Singapore's second-largest trading partner;
Whereas Singapore was the first country in Asia to enter into a free trade 
        agreement with the United States;
Whereas since the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement came into force 
        on January 1, 2004, bilateral trade in 2004 expanded by 11.7 percent to 
        USD $34.9 billion;
Whereas the United States recognizes the important role played by Singapore as a 
        major security cooperation partner and Singapore's place in the global 
        network of strategic partnerships for the promotion of peace and 
        stability in the Global War on Terror;
Whereas Singapore and United States Armed Forces worked closely together to 
        support humanitarian relief operations in regions affected by the 
        devastating tsunami in December 2004, in particular in the Aceh province 
        of Indonesia;
Whereas Singapore, which has one of the busiest ports in the world, was the 
        first country in Asia to join the Container Security Initiative, a key 
        initiative of the United States Customs Service designed to prevent 
        terrorist attacks that make use of uninspected cargo;
Whereas Singapore is a core member of the Proliferation Security Initiative, 
        will host a maritime-based interdiction exercise, Exercise Deep Sabre, 
        in August 2005, and is committed to preventing the spread of weapons of 
        mass destruction;
Whereas, in March 2005, Singapore was the first Southeast Asian country to join 
        the Radiation Detection Initiative as a part of its efforts to safeguard 
        maritime and container security by detecting, deterring, and 
        interdicting trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive material at 
        shipping ports;
Whereas Singapore has concluded a Strategic Framework Agreement for a Closer 
        Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security with the United States;
Whereas the Strategic Framework Agreement is based on shared strategic 
        perspectives, expands the scope of defense and security cooperation, and 
        builds upon the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding concerning the use of 
        facilities in Singapore by the United States Armed Forces for transit 
        purposes;
Whereas Singapore has been a strong supporter of the multinational effort for 
        the reconstruction of Iraq and has, since 2003, deployed a number of 
        aircraft and ships to the Arabian Gulf;
Whereas the relationship between the United States and Singapore is reinforced 
        by strong ties of culture, values, commerce, and international 
        cooperation; and
Whereas the relationship and international cooperation between the United States 
        and Singapore is important and valuable to both countries: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That Congress--
            (1) welcomes the Prime Minister of Singapore, His 
        Excellency Lee Hsien Loong, to the United States;
            (2) expresses profound gratitude to the Government of 
        Singapore for its assistance in Iraq and its support in the 
        Global War on Terror; and
            (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
        continued expansion of friendship and cooperation between the 
        United States and Singapore.
                                 <all>