[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1417 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1417

   Recognizing the importance of transatlantic relations between the 
   United States and the European Union and recognizing the growing 
     importance of the dialogue between Congress and the European 
                              Parliament.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 28, 2010

Ms. Berkley (for herself, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Mario 
    Diaz-Balart of Florida, and Mr. Costa) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the importance of transatlantic relations between the 
   United States and the European Union and recognizing the growing 
     importance of the dialogue between Congress and the European 
                              Parliament.

Whereas, on May 9, 1950, then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented 
        his vision for rebuilding Europe after the devastation of two world wars 
        by uniting enemies through economic cooperation within the European Coal 
        and Steel Community (ECSC), explaining that ``Europe will not be made 
        all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through 
        concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity'';
Whereas the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community was 
        established in 1952, became the European Parliament in 1962, and began 
        direct elections in 1979;
Whereas for the last 60 years, the United States has supported the evolution of 
        the European Coal and Steel Community into the European Union, working 
        in solidarity with our European partners to address the political and 
        economic challenges confronting the transatlantic alliance;
Whereas the United States and the European Union have developed a strong and 
        integrated economic relationship, which generates an estimated $4 
        trillion in commercial activity per year and accounts for close to 60 
        percent of global GDP and roughly 40 percent of world trade;
Whereas the United States and the European Union are each other's largest 
        trading and investment partners, responsible for creating up to an 
        estimated 14 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic;
Whereas the European Union and its Member States combined are among the major 
        donors supporting the reconstruction and transition process in 
        Afghanistan, having contributed more than 8 billion Euros between 2002 
        and 2010;
Whereas President George W. Bush, in a speech to leaders of the European Union 
        on February 21, 2005, stressed that ``the alliance of Europe and North 
        America is the main pillar of our security'' and that ``our strong 
        friendship is essential to peace and prosperity across the globe'';
Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden, in a speech to the European Parliament on 
        May 6, 2010, declared that ``the past 65 years have shown that when 
        Americans and Europeans devote their energies to common purpose, there 
        is almost nothing we are unable to accomplish'';
Whereas formal exchanges between the House of Representatives and the European 
        Parliament began in 1972, when the first group of Members of Congress 
        traveled to Brussels to meet and exchange views with their parliamentary 
        counterparts;
Whereas in 1995, in recognition of the importance of the transatlantic political 
        and economic partnership, the United States and the European Union 
        adopted a ``New Transatlantic Agenda'' which established a framework for 
        consultation between leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, including 
        their respective legislative bodies, to promote peace, stability, 
        democracy, and development around the world, to respond to global 
        challenges, and to contribute to the expansion of world trade and closer 
        economic relations; and
Whereas, on December 1, 2009, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force in the 
        European Union, increasing the powers of the European Parliament in the 
        legislative process and creating a High Representative for Foreign 
        Affairs and Security Policy and a President of the European Council: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates the European Union on the 60th 
        anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which is now celebrated 
        as Europe Day on May 9th, that led to the successful union of 
        European nations and contributed to lasting peace and 
        prosperity across the continent;
            (2) recognizes that the United States and the European 
        Union face common challenges at home and abroad and believes 
        that a regular dialogue between Congress and the European 
        Parliament is important in fostering the United States and 
        European Union relationship; and
            (3) recognizes the importance of regular dialogue between 
        Congress and the European Parliament.
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