[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 896 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 896

    Reaffirming German-American friendship and supporting continued 
           cooperation between the United States and Germany.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 29, 2023

      Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. Keating, Mr. 
 Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Costa) submitted the following resolution; which 
            was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Reaffirming German-American friendship and supporting continued 
           cooperation between the United States and Germany.

Whereas the United States and Germany have a close bond and friendship based on 
        heritage, common values, and shared interests that must be maintained 
        and strengthened;
Whereas, in 2018, Germany and the United States launched Wunderbar Together, 
        with the goal of promoting the robust relationship between Germans and 
        Americans and showcasing the close links between our countries;
Whereas more than 40,000,000 Americans of German origin live in the United 
        States, many of whom have provided valuable contributions to the growth 
        and development of the United States and to the maintenance of strong 
        ties to Germany and the German people;
Whereas today the United States and Germany are close political allies, 
        partners, and friends working together for a peaceful world order based 
        on the rule of law;
Whereas Germany is an important trading partner of the United States in the 
        European Union, and, in 2021, German companies represented the third-
        largest foreign employer in the United States, accounting for about 
        885,000 jobs, and between 2020 and 2022, Germans have invested more than 
        $1,180,000,000,000 in the United States, the third-largest European 
        source of foreign direct investment in the United States, and, during 
        the same period, Americans invested more than $517,000,000,000 in 
        Germany;
Whereas the United States played a leading role in the reconstruction of Germany 
        after World War II through political and financial means, laying the 
        groundwork for the establishment of a peaceful, democratic postwar West 
        Germany and paving the way for close United States-West Germany 
        bilateral relations;
Whereas the United States played a crucial role in the unification of Germany 
        after the fall of the Berlin Wall, which took place 34 years ago this 
        November;
Whereas, on October 3, 2023, Germany celebrated its 33rd annual Day of German 
        Unity commemorating German reunification in 1990;
Whereas 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange 
        Program, which has strengthened ties between almost 28,000 American and 
        German youth, improved their career skills through formal study and work 
        experience, and expanded their perspectives and awareness of each 
        other's culture, society, history, and politics;
Whereas the United States and Germany stand united in their support for Ukraine 
        and the Ukrainian people as they defend democracy and freedom against 
        illegal Russian aggression;
Whereas the United States and Germany stand resolutely against antisemitism and 
        stand in firm and unwavering solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of 
        barbaric terror attacks;
Whereas, on October 6, 2023, President Biden issued a proclamation on German-
        American Day urging Americans to ``celebrate the rich and varied history 
        of German Americans and remember the many contributions they have made 
        to our Nation''; and
Whereas Germany and the United States maintain strong bilateral ties and 
        cooperate closely on the global stage and through international 
        organizations where both countries work to promote shared values, 
        including human rights, democracy, and the rule of law: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes and highlights the importance of the 
        alliance between the United States and Germany in--
                    (A) an enduring shared commitment to our free and 
                democratic societies;
                    (B) expanding and deepening economic prosperity for 
                the United States and Europe; and
                    (C) protecting and defending our security, freedom, 
                and common values;
            (2) recognizes the strong personal, cultural, and 
        historical ties between our populations and governments, and 
        the importance of our common set of fundamental values as 
        guiding principles for tackling the growing global challenges 
        of the 21st century; and
            (3) reaffirms the deep and historical friendship between 
        the Government and people of the United States and the 
        Government and people of Germany.
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