[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 254 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 254

   Honoring, commemorating, and celebrating the historic ties of the 
 United States and the Netherlands on the quadricentennial celebration 
 of the discovery of the Hudson River, and recognizing the settlement 
  and enduring values of New Netherland, which continue to influence 
                           American society.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 8, 2009

Mrs. Gillibrand submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                 to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Honoring, commemorating, and celebrating the historic ties of the 
 United States and the Netherlands on the quadricentennial celebration 
 of the discovery of the Hudson River, and recognizing the settlement 
  and enduring values of New Netherland, which continue to influence 
                           American society.

Whereas the Netherlands and the United States are 2 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 the Hudson River and its fertile lands gave rise to the 
        establishment of the New Netherland settlement and the ensuing 
        historical ties between the Netherlands and the United States;
Whereas the Netherlands, in 1776 at Sint Eustatius, was the first country to 
        salute the United States flag, influenced the writing of the United 
        States Declaration of Independence, and has remained a staunch ally to 
        the United States, from providing necessary loans during the 
        Revolutionary War to standing shoulder-to-shoulder in Afghanistan in 
        defense of values and the rule of law;
Whereas the New Netherland settlement left a legacy of values such as open-
        mindedness, 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 the United States to such an extent that the 
        Netherlands remains among the top 4 foreign investors in the United 
        States;
Whereas the Netherlands provided assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane 
        Katrina and 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, That the Senate--
            (1) on the quadricentennial celebration of the discovery of 
        the Hudson River, honors, commemorates, and celebrates the 
        historic ties and friendship between the United States and the 
        Netherlands; and
            (2) recognizes the settlement and enduring values of New 
        Netherland which continue to influence American society.
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