[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2758-H2761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 50 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 577) recognizing 50 years of relations between
the United States Government and the European Union, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 577
Whereas on May 9, 1950, 6 countries of Europe, committed to
promoting a united Europe, founded the European Coal and
Steel Community (ECSC), which has evolved into the European
Union (EU);
Whereas in November 1953 the United States sent its first
diplomatic observers to the European Coal and Steel
Community;
Whereas in 1954 the High Authority of the European Coal and
Steel Community commissioned the United States law firm of
Clearly and Gottlieb to open an Information Office in
Washington, District of Columbia, thus establishing the first
official presence of the precursor to the European Union in
the United States;
Whereas on November 18, 2003, Secretary of State Colin
Powell, while in Brussels, Belgium, dedicating a plaque
commemorating 50 years of cooperation between the United
States and the European Union stated that ``the United States
embraces the European Union as a global partner for peace and
security . . . and that the world's best hope for meeting
[global] challenges still rests, in large part, on a deep,
broad, and lasting partnership between Europe and the United
States'';
Whereas although differences of opinion have existed on a
broad array of issues over the past 50 years, there remains
an important foundation of shared values across the Atlantic
which reaffirms that the current strengths and common
interests of the United States and the European Union far
outweigh the differences;
Whereas an effective political partnership between the
United States and the European Union has continued to develop
over the past 50 years in many areas of vital common interest
which has resulted in the United States and European Union
consistently and effectively working together for prosperous,
stable, and democratic world;
Whereas the events of the past several years, including the
events of September 11, 2001, have increased the need for
forceful and coordinated strategic cooperation between the
United States and the European Union on economic, trade, and
domestic and foreign security matters;
Whereas the economic foundations for the United States-
European Union partnership are a central and irreversible
reality of the world economy;
Whereas to effectively manage the United States-European
Union partnership, closer institutional linkages and other
mechanisms to facilitate more direct and continuous United
States-European Union dialogue are necessary; and
Whereas in May 2004, an event commemorating 50 years of
relations between the United States and the European Union
will take place in Washington, District of Columbia: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of relations between
the United States and the European Union;
(2) commends the United States mission to the European
Union and the mission of the European Commission to the
United States for the professional representation of the
interests of the United States and European Union over the
past 50 years;
(3) recognizes that continued cooperation between the
United States and the European Union is essential to
resolving international disputes, promoting peace, expanding
global economic opportunity, combating global threats, and
being prepared to respond to unforeseen events; and
(4) encourages enhanced United States-European Union
strategic discussion and institutional cooperation, including
increased discussions between representatives of the United
States Congress and the European Parliament through the
Transatlantic Legislator's Dialogue.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
General Leave
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 577, as amended. I would
note for my colleagues that two amendments were made to the original
text of this resolution. One more precisely addresses the history of
the EU and one notes that an event at the Department of State regarding
the anniversary has now taken place.
Mr. Speaker, 53 years ago, in an effort to rebuild and integrate a
war-devastated economic system throughout Europe, six nations of Europe
came together and signed the European Coal and Steel Community treaty
(ECSC) in Paris on April 18, 1951. Since then, the coal and steel
community has evolved to become what we now refer to as the European
Union. In 1953, the United States government sent its first diplomatic
observers to the European Coal and Steel Community and one year later,
in 1954, the High Authority of the ECSC established its first official
presence in the United States. This resolution which we have under
consideration today recognizes 50 years of formal relationship between
the United States and the European Union.
Mr. Speaker, relations with Europe have been an integral part of our
own history. The importance of that relationship became even more clear
as the Euro-Atlantic community entered the postwar period in 1945.
During that period and throughout the Cold War, the United States and
Europe developed a strong set of shared values, common interests,
mutual political goals, and fully integrated economies. The cooperation
which has developed between the United States and Europe has resulted
in an effective partnership which has met the global challenges of
building a peaceful, secure, democratic and prosperous world.
Yet as we all know, the relationship has not always been cordial. We
have had our differences of opinion on many issues. The relationship
has had what some might consider ``defining moments.'' But as we have
seen over these past 50 years, the melding of our common interests and
the strength of our partnership has far outweighed the differences we
have encountered.
Last November, the U.S. Mission in Brussels, led by Ambassador
Rockwell Schnabel, held an event to kick off the 50th anniversary of
relations between the United States and the European Union. Secretary
of State Colin Powell attended the ceremony and dedicated a plaque
commemorating the anniversary. In his statement, the Secretary noted
that the ``United States embraces the European Union as a global
partner for peace and security and that the world's best hope for
meeting global challenges still rests, in large part, on a deep, broad
and lasting partnership between Europe and the United States.''
Last week, on May 6, a similar event was held here in Washington at
the Department of State which continued the celebration. One difference
between the November event and this month's event is the fact that by
virtue of the enlargement of the European Union which took place on May
1, the celebration here in Washington was with 25 nations of Europe
rather than 15. As we welcome those 10 new members of the European
Union, we welcome the opportunity to develop an even stronger
partnership with the EU and its member states.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, H. Res. 577 recognizes the 50th anniversary
of U.S.-EU relations. It reaffirms the importance of cooperation
between the United States and Europe. It encourages closer
institutional linkages in order to facilitate a more direct and
continuous dialogue with Europe and its union. Finally, the resolution
supports an enhanced dialogue between this institution, the Congress,
and our colleagues in the European Parliament.
I urge the adoption of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), chair
of the Subcommittee on Europe, for this excellent resolution. I also
want to thank our colleagues who played a role
[[Page H2759]]
in bringing this resolution forward: the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Wexler), the ranking member of the subcommittee; the gentlewoman from
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis), chair of the Transatlantic Legislators
Dialogue, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), and the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Mr. Speaker, May 1, 2004, was a historic day. Ten days ago, the
European Union expanded to a total of 25 member countries with the
addition of 10 new member states to the European Union. This was the
largest expansion in the organization's almost half a century of
history. Most remarkably, 8 of the 10 countries became new members of
the European Union that were formerly members of the Soviet bloc.
Having seen on countless occasions firsthand the trials and challenges
these countries faced in the 50 years following the Second World War, I
am personally delighted and encouraged at the prospects that this new
union will give to these countries.
The 10 new member states bring an additional 75 million citizens to
the European Union. The population of the European Union, as we all
know, now surpasses that of our own country. The economic output of the
25-member European Union is very near to our own. With open and free
borders, common economic policies and shared security objectives, the
new European Union can and will become an even stronger economic and
political force globally.
Mr. Speaker, this expansion of the European Union extends the zone of
economic and political stability and security hundreds of miles to the
east.
{time} 1615
It anchors the new member states in an economic and political union
that is committed to democratic values and respect for civil and human
rights and the rule of law.
The new member countries which were formerly part of the Soviet
sphere have had more limited experience with democratic governments and
the free market economy. Their participation in the EU will provide new
experience and a stronger commitment to these vital values that we
share with the European Union.
Mr. Speaker, while the effects of this EU expansion will be different
for every one of the new member states, it is clear that there is
potential benefit for the United States in this historic development.
We in the Congress welcome this new expansion of the European Union,
and we reaffirm our desire to continue the positive relationship that
we have had with the European Union and its predecessor organizations
over the last half century.
The U.S.-European relationship is critical to stability and security
throughout the globe. To the extent that we cooperate and work
together, the entire world will be a safer and more prosperous place.
But to the extent that our political and economic relations are in
disarray, the entire world will suffer.
Mr. Speaker, in the economic sphere I call upon the united European
Union, and particularly the new member states as well as our own
government, to focus our relations on working together to resolve the
trade and economic differences that occasionally divide us. Our
economic ties are far too important to be dominated by minor disputes.
In the political and security sphere, it is critical that we
cooperate in dealing with the threat of terrorism and the challenges
that face all of our societies. I urge all member countries of the
European Union to work with the United States to assure that our
significant mutual interests take precedence over less important
irritants that have strained our relations in recent times.
Mr. Speaker, our resolution welcomes a historic change in the
European Union. We in the United States stand to gain much from this
change, and we should all welcome it. I urge all of my colleagues to
support H. Res. 577.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, to the chairman and the ranking member I
want to thank them for bringing this resolution to the floor. I have
had a chance to speak in a Special Order and tie the EU expansion also
to NATO expansion. And what it does is it brings a Europe whole,
united, and free; and I think it brings great opportunity for the
world, stability in the region, the ability for the European Union
countries to help be more active in their backyard as they have
committed to bolster their ability to respond based upon the Petersburg
task but also a commitment to NATO in the Article V self-defense
relationship that makes the transatlantic nations so important. It ties
the North American continent to Europe in a stronger fabric that I
think will really benefit the Nation and democratic institutions for
years to come.
As we know, there are constant threats to democracy and liberty
around the world. So I think I speak for many of our colleagues who
will get a chance to either vocally vote ``yes'' or to do it through a
registered vote by saying wherever democracy, liberty, freedom, the
rule of law prevail, we as a country and as a world are stronger
because of that.
So I, too, want to welcome the new members to the EU. I also want to
applaud the old members for their reaching out and the invitation for
these new members; and I want to tie that to the great self-defense
organization that we know and have loved for so long, which is the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. That transatlantic link will serve
us both well from now and into the future.
I want to applaud the ranking member; I want to applaud the chairman.
And I thank the chairman for yielding me this time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as I was listening to the distinguished gentleman from
California, I was thinking how remarkable this must look to him in
particular since as a boy and a young man, he grew up in a very
different part of Europe and a different kind of system in Hungary and
what a contribution the gentleman has made. I recall in my second or
third term, I became, fortunately, a member of what we then called the
U.S. House-European Parliamentary Exchange, and the gentleman was the
chairman for all of those years in which his party was in the majority;
and I remember the outstanding leadership and education he gave this
Member in those years.
And I think back to how remarkable it is for all of us, but perhaps
especially for the gentleman, that the line drawn across Europe at
Yalta which brought down the Iron Curtain to which Winston Churchill
referred. It separated the countries that had been a part of a whole,
and now gradually we have seen that curtain lifted and we have a united
Europe.
Just this morning I had a chance to examine a proposed welcome from
one of our Slovak parliamentary colleagues, Josef Banas. Mr. Banas was
preparing his welcome to our spring meeting of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly, which will be in their capital city, Bratislava, Slovakia,
over the Memorial Day recess to drive his point home how much things
have changed and how much joy is in his country as one of the 10 new
members of the European Union, one of the seven new members of NATO.
He talked about his mother, who has lived and is yet living in a
small village near Bratislava. She was born in that village before
World War I, and he was tracing how many different countries and
different political systems she has lived under in her time, even
though she has never moved from that village. It has been that kind of
remarkable change in Central Europe which we have witnessed in the
years since World War I, but especially remarkable changes since World
War II.
I want to thank the gentleman for his leadership all these years on
European issues, and I want to say that I am enthusiastic about the
current leadership, both Democrat and Republican, on what is now
called, and I am still having a hard time with the new name, the
Transatlantic Legislative Dialogue. And the gentlewoman from Virginia
(Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) has a statement which will be submitted under
General Leave. She would have liked to have been here today to
participate in this dialogue, and I very
[[Page H2760]]
much wish the gentleman well as he continues this dialogue with
European parliamentarians.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. BEREUTER. I yield to the gentleman from California.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank him for his most generous
observations, and let me again say how deeply we will miss his enormous
contributions to this body as he assumes new and bigger
responsibilities.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind
remarks, and I know that Europe will be in good hands. That is why I am
moving my focus to a different continent.
Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, today, the House will debate H. Res. 577, a
resolution recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States
and the European Union. I hope the House overwhelmingly approves this
resolution.
The U.S. and EU not only have shared values and an indisputable
friendship, but also shared global responsibilities. Responsibilities
that are grave in light of the terrorist threat facing our world today.
The U.S. and EU must continue to work together to root out terrorism
around the world, and seek to promote peace and stability. I am pleased
to note that members of the EU and the U.S. are currently working
alongside each other in both Afghanistan and Iraq to combat terrorism,
and to ensure that these countries successfully make the transition
toward democracy.
In addition to our shared interest in promoting global security, the
U.S. and the EU share economic interests. The U.S. and the EU have the
largest bilateral trading and investment relationship in the world with
transatlantic flows of trade and investment amounting to roughly $1
billion a day.
Mr. Speaker, President Bush has stated that strong ties between
America and Europe are essential to peace and the prosperity of the
world. I believe that both sides will remain committed to fostering the
relationship so that together the U.S. and the EU can promote their
common goals and interests in the world much more effectively.
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.
Res. 577 noting the 50th Anniversary of formal relations between the
United States and the European Union.
Fifty years ago the United States government sent its first
diplomatic representatives to what was then the European Coal and Steel
Community because the U.S. Government was fully supportive of the
integration of Europe's economic systems as a way to help rebuild a
war-torn continent. One year later, in 1954, the High Representative of
the Coal and Steel Community opened an office here in Washington.
In November, the United States Mission in Brussels held a ceremony
marking the beginning of the anniversary. Last week, a similar ceremony
was held at the State Department to continue the celebration. H. Res.
577 reminds us that over these past five decades, we and Europe have
worked to develop a common bond based on values, shared views of the
need to promote democracy and market reform and a commitment to
stability and peace throughout the world. As our Europe Subcommittee
Chairman has said, the relationship has not always been easy or
friendly. We have had some serious disagreements. Nevertheless, it
should be clear to this House that a strong and mature transatlantic
relationship is critical to the long-term political, economic and
security interests of the United States. It is also clear that one of
the central ingredients to a successful transatlantic partnership is a
stable, integrated and dynamic Europe.
Recently, I traveled to Europe with a delegation of our House
Colleagues to participate in the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue.
Our meetings with our Colleagues from the European Parliament were
frank, but cordial. It reaffirmed the need for continuous dialogue and
understanding of how we each view those common challenges which face us
and how we should respond. I appreciate the fact that H. Res. 577 notes
that the TLD is an important aspect of this U.S.-EU relationship.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I want to remind my Colleagues that on
Saturday, May 1st, we witnessed yet another historic event in the
evolution of the European Union. On that day 10 new nations of Europe
joined the European Union. What began just fifty-three years ago as a
Union of 6 has now become a Union of 25. As the U.S. Chairman of the
Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue, I look forward to meeting and
working with the Parliamentarians of these newest members who soon take
their seats in the European Parliament and who will be part of the next
fifty years of U.S.-UE relations.
I urge adoption of this Resolution.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
this symbolic and commemorative resolution that speaks to our
commitment to the establishment of continued and ever-growing ties with
the European Union (E.U.). Especially given the dangers that plague the
international community as a whole, it is important that we do
everything we can to break bread with our international partners to
form alliances against those who threaten to do our families harm.
The European Union and the United States are the two largest
economies in the world and jointly account for about half the entire
world economy. The E.U. and the U.S. have also the largest bi-lateral
trading and investment relationship. Transatlantic trade and investment
amount to around $1 billion a day, and jointly, our global trade
accounts for almost 40 percent of world trade. By working together, the
U.S. and the E.U. can promote their common goals and interests in the
world much more effectively.
According to information gathered by the European Community's Trade
Directorate General, the United States and the European Union have had
the most prolific commercial relationship in the world and have been
each other's largest trade and investment partners. In 2002, E.U.
exports to the United States were estimated at $227.9 billion,
representing 24.1 percent of total E.U. exports. E.U. imports from the
United States totaled $166.1 billion, representing 17.7 percent of
total E.U. imports.
Investment of E.U. firms in U.S. markets has been growing
consistently. In fact, direct investments in the U.S. amounted to $863
billion in 2002. Together, both nations employ about 4 million
respectively.
In a similar trend, American investment in the E.U. totaled $700
billion in 2002. The initiation of the Economic and Monetary Union on
January 1, 1999 improved and facilitated American investment by
providing a maturing Single Market.
The relationship between the E.U. and the U.S. exists even on a
nation-to-state level. In December 2001, the European Union Center, one
of 15 such Centers in the entire U.S., was established at Texas A&M
University and was supported by funding from the European Commission to
form a Network of European Union Centers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched its Container
Security Initiative (CSI) in the area of maritime security after the
attacks of 9/11. Our main concern was the possibility of containers
being used for terrorist attacks either against ports of the United
States or against a participant in maritime transport. As a first step,
the U.S. has invited about twenty mega-ports worldwide to join this
initiative.
As a Member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, I
applaud the fact that the U.S. has signed declarations of principle
(bi-lateral agreements) on the application of its Container Security
Initiative (CSI) in individual ports with eight E.U. Member States--the
Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and
Sweden. These bilateral agreements propose to shortly involve the
stationing of U.S. customs officials in many of the ports that have
significant container traffic to the United States.
In terms of formal agreements between the E.U. and the U.S., the two
have executed the Transatlantic Declaration, the New Transatlantic
Agenda, and the Transatlantic Economic Partnership.
The Transatlantic Declaration was adopted by the U.S. and the E.U. in
1990. This document set forth principles for greater E.U.-U.S.
cooperation and consultation in economy, education, science, and
culture.
In 1995, the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) and the E.U.-U.S. Joint
Action Plan were adopted. The NTA and the Joint Action Plan stimulated
partnership and cooperation under four areas: promoting peace and
stability, democracy and development around the world; responding to
global changes; contributing to the expansion of world trade and
fostering closer ties; and building bridges across the Atlantic.
The Transatlantic Economic Partnership (TEP) was executed at the
London summit in May 1998. The TEP is an extension of the spirit and
premise behind the NTA. It includes both multilateral and bilateral
elements. Bilaterally the purpose is to tackle technical barriers to
trade. The purpose of the second part is to stimulate further
multilateral liberalization--by joining forces on international trade
issues. An innovative aspect of the proposal is to integrate labor,
business, environmental and consumer issues into the process. It is,
however, too early to say what will come out of this partnership.
Mutual commitment to ``full and equal partnership'' in economic,
political, and security matters was the hallmark of the Bonn
Declaration adopted by both nations at the 21 June 1999 E.U.-U.S.
summit held in June 1999 in Bonn. The Bonn Declaration outlines how the
E.U. and the U.S. want to shape their relationship over the next decade
and is embedded in the NTA process.
The record of joint efforts to strengthen the economic, social, and
diplomatic ties between
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the European Union and the United States demonstrates that we can do
even better. I commend my colleague Mr. Bereuter for his efforts and
leadership in bringing this important resolution to the Floor. It will
help to improve our record even more through its representation of the
voice of Congress.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hayes). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 577, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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