[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 178 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 178

    Expressing the sense of Congress that we honor, commemorate and 
celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands by 
 recognizing the Quadricentennial celebration of the discovery of the 
 Hudson River and the settlement and enduring values of New Netherland 
            which permeate American society up until today.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2009

 Mr. Van Hollen (for himself and Mr. Hoekstra) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of Congress that we honor, commemorate and 
celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands by 
 recognizing the Quadricentennial celebration of the discovery of the 
 Hudson River and the settlement and enduring values of New Netherland 
            which permeate American society up until today.

Whereas the Netherlands and the United States are two countries with one spirit 
        united by values, history and a vision for the future;
Whereas 2009 marks the Quadricentennial year that Henry Hudson captained the 
        ship ``Halve Maen'', under the auspices of the Dutch East India Company, 
        and discovered the Hudson River;
Whereas the discovery of that river and its fertile lands gave rise to the 
        establishment of the New Netherland settlement and the ensuing 
        historical ties between the Netherlands and America;
Whereas the Netherlands was the first country to salute the U.S. flag in 1776 at 
        St. Eustatius; influenced the Declaration of Independence and has 
        remained a friend and staunch ally ever since, from providing necessary 
        loans during the Revolutionary War to standing shoulder-to-shoulder in 
        Afghanistan in defense of values and rule of law;
Whereas the New Netherland settlement left a legacy of values such as 
        openmindedness, entrepreneurship, democracy, tolerance and hard work, as 
        well as freedom of religion and speech;
Whereas the bonds of free trade, open markets and commerce have continuously 
        linked the Netherlands and Americans to such an extent that the 
        Netherlands remains among the top four foreign investors in the U.S.;
Whereas the Netherlands provided assistance in the aftermath of Katrina and 
        today is sharing expertise in water management and helping to rebuild 
        New Orleans and its levees; and
Whereas the heritage of 400 years of friendship between the Netherlands and the 
        United States is a laudable example and should be properly extolled: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that we honor, commemorate and 
celebrate the historic ties and friendship between the United States 
and the Netherlands by recognizing the Quadricentennial celebration of 
the discovery of the Hudson River and the settlement and enduring 
values of New Netherland which permeate American society up until 
today.
                                 <all>