[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 628 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 628

 Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic 
            relations between the United States and Romania.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 18, 2020

  Mr. Johnson (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic 
            relations between the United States and Romania.

Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in June 
        1880;
Whereas, in 1997, the United States and Romania established a long-term 
        partnership based on the United States recognition of Romania's 
        strategic importance, the commitment to shared values, and a common 
        interest in stability and democratic progress;
Whereas Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004 and 
        hosts NATO's Multi-national Division Headquarters South East, a NATO 
        Force Integration Unit, the Multi-national Brigade South East, and the 
        Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System, a key element of the United States 
        European Phased Adaptive Approach missile defense system;
Whereas, in 2011, the United States and Romania issued the ``Joint Declaration 
        on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century Between the United States 
        of America and Romania'', reflecting increasing cooperation between the 
        countries and throughout the Black Sea region to promote security, 
        democracy, free market opportunities, and cultural exchange;
Whereas Romania continues to modernize its armed forces and is 1 of 7 NATO 
        members to have met its 2014 Wales Summit commitment to allocate at 
        least 2 percent of gross domestic product for defense spending;
Whereas the Romanian armed forces have supported NATO and United States 
        operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters for almost 2 
        decades, contributing more than 30,000 total combat and support 
        personnel to those missions, some of whom have made the ultimate 
        sacrifice;
Whereas Romania is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, provided 
        humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq and Syria, and is making 
        significant contributions to the fight against international terrorism;
Whereas, on August 20, 2019, the United States and Romania signed a memorandum 
        of understanding outlining a shared commitment to developing a secure 
        and vibrant fifth-generation wireless infrastructure based on free and 
        fair competition, transparency, and the rule of law--including a 
        rigorous evaluation of vendors;
Whereas Romania has played a leading role in the establishment of the Three Seas 
        Initiative and was one of the first countries to invest in the Three 
        Seas Initiative Investment Fund, which aims to increase energy 
        independence and infrastructure connectivity across Central and Eastern 
        Europe;
Whereas the United States and Romania have been deepening their economic 
        relationship through increased bilateral trade and investment, and in 
        2017, Romania hosted the tenth annual United States Commercial Service 
        Trade Winds Forum and Trade Mission, helping United States companies 
        boost exports across Southeast Europe;
Whereas, in 2018, as Romania celebrated its Unification Centennial, Governors 
        from across the United States issued Proclamations to congratulate 
        Romanians and Romanian-Americans on that historic milestone, 
        illustrating the close ties and friendship that exist between the United 
        States and Romania;
Whereas, in 2019, Romanians all across the United States commemorated 30 years 
        since Romania's liberation from the former communist regime, a powerful 
        reminder of the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and a celebration of 
        the triumphant call of freedom, liberty, and dignity;
Whereas the Romanian people have made progress in their efforts to hold their 
        institutions and leadership accountable in the continued fight against 
        high-level corruption;
Whereas Romania resides in the strategically important and increasingly 
        militarized Black Sea region, and has proven itself a critical security 
        ally in the region, including by hosting the annual NATO Sea Shield 
        exercise;
Whereas, during these times of unprecedented challenge caused by the COVID-19 
        pandemic crisis, the United States and Romania are strengthening their 
        partnership, such as through United States assistance with targeted 
        funds, strategic military airlift and medical emergency equipment, and 
        Romanian support for the swift repatriation of United States nationals 
        overseas;
Whereas, as a sign of solidarity and friendship between the people of Romania 
        and the United States, Romania sent its first medical and expert support 
        and advisory mission to Alabama, assigning 15 Romanian doctors, medical 
        staff, and chemical and biological risk experts to exchange best 
        practices and assist local COVID-19 efforts in care facilities, nursing 
        homes, and hospitals across the State; and
Whereas 2020 marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic 
        relations between the United States and Romania: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates the 140th anniversary of the establishment 
        of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania;
            (2) applauds the Government and the people of Romania for 
        the significant strides they have made in governance, anti-
        corruption, rule of law, economic reforms, and their continuing 
        pursuit of democratic, social, and economic progress;
            (3) encourages the United States Government to use its 
        leadership in NATO to advocate for an upgraded NATO presence in 
        Romania, in order to better accommodate the evolving threat 
        environment in and around the Black Sea region; and
            (4) reaffirms the enduring alliance between the United 
        States and Romania, based upon shared democratic values, 
        security partnership, and increasing economic ties.
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