[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 527 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 527

 Commending the NATO School for its critical support of North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts to promote global peace, stability, 
                             and security.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 10, 2009

   Mr. Tanner (for himself, Mr. Shimkus, Mrs. Emerson, Mr. Moore of 
 Kansas, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Miller of Florida, and 
Mr. Melancon) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the NATO School for its critical support of North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts to promote global peace, stability, 
                             and security.

Whereas the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany is the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization's (NATO) premier operational-level education and training 
        facility and has administered courses to over 185,000 officers, 
        noncommissioned officers, and civilians from NATO allied and partner 
        nations since its inception in 1953;
Whereas for 60 years, NATO has served as the bedrock of transatlantic security 
        and defense, successfully defending the territories of its North 
        American and European member states from a range of external threats and 
        promoting democratic values throughout North America, Europe, and 
        Eurasia;
Whereas since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, NATO has 
        successfully adapted to address a range of new and emerging security 
        challenges including transnational terrorism, the proliferation of 
        weapons of mass destruction, the re-emergence of regional and local 
        conflicts and conflicts outside the North Atlantic Treaty Area, 
        instability caused by failed states, cyber attacks, piracy, and threats 
        to global energy security;
Whereas while NATO transforms to address the emerging security challenges of the 
        21st century, the NATO School functions as the Alliance's primary 
        vehicle to educate and train the men and women serving in NATO missions 
        to successfully carry out the full spectrum of crisis management 
        operations, from combat and peacekeeping to logistics support, 
        humanitarian relief and governance enhancement, institution building, 
        and civil security;
Whereas the NATO School plays a crucial role in supporting NATO's ongoing 
        operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, the Mediterranean, and 
        elsewhere, providing much of the training for NATO personnel serving in 
        NATO's core stabilization mission in Afghanistan and conducting almost 
        all of NATO's out-of-country training of Iraqi military officers;
Whereas NATO School efforts to support NATO's ongoing mission in Afghanistan, 
        including through its training for personnel in NATO's Provincial 
        Reconstruction Teams, are a particularly critical component of 
        international efforts to combat transnational terrorism;
Whereas the NATO School offers a broad-based and comprehensive approach to its 
        training and educational activities including courses in civil-military 
        cooperation, crisis management, peace support operations, and arms 
        control and non-proliferation that draw upon a range of military, 
        development, and governance tools;
Whereas the NATO School currently offers 90 courses to individuals from over 100 
        countries including an array of unique programs dedicated to building 
        civilian, governance, and military capacity in aspiring NATO member 
        states;
Whereas in addition to offering courses at its headquarters in Oberammergau, the 
        NATO School conducts a variety of programs through its network of 15 
        Partnership for Peace Training and Education Centers located in 
        countries ranging from Ukraine to the United States;
Whereas the NATO School raises a large portion of its operating expenses through 
        tuition fees, but also receives significant financial support from both 
        the United States and German governments and relies in large part on the 
        invaluable contribution of expert faculty from NATO member states and 
        partner countries;
Whereas in February 2009 the NATO School hosted a United States Congressional 
        delegation for the first time in the School's history when the United 
        States House delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) 
        visited the School in an effort to boost domestic and international 
        public and parliamentary support for NATO missions and activities; and
Whereas Congress continues to support the NATO School and recognizes the 
        critical role it plays in enhancing the ability of NATO and the United 
        States to successfully confront the security challenges of the 21st 
        century: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the NATO School for its critical support of 
        North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts to promote 
        global peace, stability, and security;
            (2) reaffirms its commitment to NATO as the bedrock of 
        transatlantic security and defense; and
            (3) expresses appreciation to Colonel James J. Tabak, USA-
        MC, for his leadership of the NATO School during his tenure as 
        commandant from June 2006 to June 2009 and to the NATO School 
        faculty and staff for their hard work and commitment to 
        advancing the School's mission, to NATO member states and 
        partner countries for their consistent and invaluable 
        contribution of expert faculty to the NATO School, and for the 
        strong partnership between the United States and German 
        governments in providing financial support and leadership for 
        the NATO School.
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