[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2453-H2455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TREATY OF ROME

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 230) recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty 
of Rome signed on March 25, 1957, which was a key step in creating the 
European Union, and reaffirming the close

[[Page H2454]]

and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and 
Europe.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 230

       Whereas, after a half century marked by two world wars and 
     at a time when Europe was divided and some nations were 
     deprived of freedom, and as the continent faced the urgent 
     need for economic and political recovery, major European 
     statesmen such as Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Paul-Henri 
     Spaak, Konrad Adenauer, Alcide de Gasperi, Sir Winston 
     Churchill, and others joined together to lay the foundations 
     of an ever closer union among their peoples;
       Whereas on March 25, 1957, the Federal Republic of Germany, 
     France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg 
     signed the Treaty of Rome to establish a customs union, to 
     create a framework to promote the free movement of people, 
     services, and capital among the member states, to support 
     agricultural growth, and to create a common transport policy, 
     which gave new impetus to the pledge of unity in the European 
     Coal and Steel Agreement of 1951;
       Whereas to fulfill its purpose, the European Union has 
     created a unique set of institutions: the directly-elected 
     European Parliament, the Council consisting of 
     representatives of the Member States, the Commission acting 
     in the general interest of the Community, and the Court of 
     Justice to enforce the rule of law;
       Whereas on February 7, 1992, the leaders of the then 12 
     members of the European Community signed the Treaty of 
     Maastricht establishing a common European currency, the Euro, 
     to be overseen by a common financial institution, the 
     European Central Bank, for the purpose of a freer movement of 
     capital and common European economic policies;
       Whereas the European Union was expanded with the addition 
     of the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland in 1973, Greece 
     in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, a unified Germany in 
     1990, Austria, Finland, and Sweden in 1995, Cyprus, the Czech 
     Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, 
     Slovakia, and Slovenia in 2004, and Bulgaria and Romania in 
     2007, making the European Union a body of 27 countries with a 
     population of over 450 million people;
       Whereas the European Union has developed policies in the 
     economic, security, diplomatic, and political areas: it has 
     established a single market with broad common policies to 
     organize that market and ensure prosperity and cohesion; it 
     has built an economic and monetary union, including the Euro 
     currency; and it has built an area of freedom, security, and 
     justice, extending stability to its neighbors;
       Whereas following the end of the Cold War and the 
     disintegration of the Soviet Union, the European Union has 
     played a critical role in the former Central European 
     communist states in promoting free markets, democratic 
     institutions and values, respect for human rights, and the 
     resolve to fight against tyranny and for common national 
     security objectives;
       Whereas for the past 50 years the United States and the 
     European Union have shared a unique partnership, mindful of 
     their common heritage, shared values and mutual interests, 
     have worked together to strengthen transatlantic security, to 
     preserve and promote peace and freedom, to develop free and 
     prosperous economies, and to advance human rights; and
       Whereas the United States has supported the European 
     integration process and has consistently supported the 
     objective of European unity and the enlargement of the 
     European Union as desirable developments which promote 
     prosperity, peace, and democracy, and which contribute to the 
     strengthening of the vital relationship between the United 
     States and the nations of Europe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the historic significance of the Treaty of 
     Rome on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its signing;
       (2) commends the European Union and the member nations of 
     the European Union for the positive role which the 
     institution has played in the growth, development, and 
     prosperity of contemporary Europe;
       (3) recognizes the important role played by the European 
     Union in fostering the independence, democracy, and economic 
     development of the former Central European communist states 
     following the end of the Cold War;
       (4) acknowledges the vital role of the European Union in 
     the development of the close and mutually beneficial 
     relationship that exists between the United States and 
     Europe;
       (5) affirms that in order to strengthen the transatlantic 
     partnership there must be a renewed commitment to regular and 
     intensive consultations between the United States and the 
     European Union; and
       (6) joins with the European Parliament in agreeing to 
     strengthen the transatlantic partnership by enhancing the 
     dialogue and collaboration between the United States Congress 
     and the European Parliament.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Wexler) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WEXLER. 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 Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 230, and 
yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I first want to thank Chairman Lantos for introducing this resolution 
with me. If there is anyone in Congress who fully understands the 
significance of this moment, it is Congressman Lantos, who has been an 
unwavering supporter of the transatlantic alliance and the creation of 
the European Union.
  In addition, I want to thank the ranking member of the Europe 
Subcommittee, Mr. Gallegly, for his efforts in bringing this resolution 
to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, on March 25, 1957, in an attempt to recover from 
destruction caused by two devastating world wars, six European nations, 
France, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, the Federal Republic of 
Germany, and Luxembourg, joined together in common interest to form the 
foundations of a new economic and political community. The resulting 
Treaty of Rome laid the framework to promote an ever closer union among 
the peoples of Europe.
  At that time, the Treaty of Rome provided for the establishment of a 
common market, a customs union and common policies, expanding on the 
unity already established in the European Coal and Steel Community. The 
founding members, keen on ensuring the past was not to be repeated, 
were particularly interested in the idea of creating a community of 
peace and stability through economic ties.
  The success of the European Economic Community inspired other 
countries to apply for membership, making it the first concrete step 
toward the creation of the European Union. The Treaty of Rome 
established the basic institutions and decision-making mechanisms still 
in place today. The European Union, now comprised of 27 countries and 
over 450 million people, is a unique and a historic example of nation-
states transcending their former divisions, deciding to come together 
for the sake of freedom, peace and prosperity, and resolving their 
differences in the interest of the common good and rule of law.
  The success of the EU over the past 50 years has also benefited 
greatly the United States. Today, the United States and Europe enjoy a 
mutually beneficial relationship that has a long and established 
history.
  As the world's most important alliance, the U.S. and the EU are 
intimately intertwined, cooperating on regional conflicts, 
collaborating to address global challenges, and sharing strong trade 
and investment relations.
  It is clear that the strongest possible relationship between the 
United States and Europe is a prerequisite for addressing the 
challenges of the 21st century. The U.S. and EU are working closely to 
promote reform and peace in the Middle East, rebuild and enhance 
security in Afghanistan, support the goals of democratization and 
prosperity in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Balkans and Central Asia, 
prevent genocide in Darfur and end the violence and terrorism in 
Lebanon.
  The anniversary of the Rome Treaty is a reminder of the importance of 
the transatlantic alliance in an increasingly difficult global 
environment. However, the 50-year EU experiment is an example of the 
enduring possibilities of democratic transformation and a brighter 
future for millions.
  It is my hope that the EU will continue to keep its doors open and 
remain a beacon of hope to the citizens of Europe who aspire to obtain 
the peace and prosperity that have blossomed over the past 50 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, and strongly urge the passage 
of H. Res. 230.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  When Americans visit Europe today, it is hard to see how very damaged 
the

[[Page H2455]]

countries of that continent were when they emerged from the destruction 
of the Second World War. American assistance played a very important 
role in rebuilding Western Europe in the 1940s and the 1950s, and 
American arms played a crucial role in protecting the democracies of 
Europe from the advance of Soviet communism during the Cold War.
  Ultimately, however, Europeans needed to do more on their own to 
build upon a foundation that the United States had first provided. The 
1957 Treaty of Rome, signed by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, The 
Netherlands, and Luxembourg was one of the first steps that Western 
Europe took to put the causes and the legacy of the Second World War 
behind them.
  The treaty established a free-trade region known as the European 
Economic Community, the cornerstone of what we today know as the 
European Union.

                              {time}  1330

  A post-World War II economically ravaged Europe reasoned that if 
nations are linked economically, in this case by recalling the role 
that economic decline and hindered trade among nations had played in 
the years leading up to World War II, the creators of that free trade 
zone saw that the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital, and 
people might well prove to be a great deterrent to conflict between the 
states of Europe, large and small.
  Over the subsequent decades through the entry of new members and 
expansions both geographically across Europe and functionally across 
issues, the European Community grew beyond the original core membership 
of the 1950s and assumed responsibilities going well beyond trade. 
Today, the European Union indeed counts among its member states 
countries that once were under Soviet domination. It has worked to 
transfer more powers from its individual member states to the overall 
organization centered on the road to creating a more unified European 
foreign and security policy and making the European Union an 
organization that the United States increasingly looks to for 
leadership on transatlantic issues, joining the NATO alliances that 
continue to bind us together in that common cause.
  While the European Community continues to provide a framework within 
which to conduct international trade, such as multilateral trade 
negotiations with the United States, it has also advanced the cause of 
liberty, free markets, democratic institutions, and respect for human 
rights throughout the European continent. The Treaty of Rome was an 
important step in building on the foundation that the United States 
helped create after World War II for Europe.
  Today, we look to a strong Europe as seen in the expanded NATO and 
expanded and strengthened European Union as a foundation on which we 
can work together to address new and ever growing challenges. 
Therefore, with enthusiasm, Mr. Speaker, it is that this House should 
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of this Treaty of Rome.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my 
colleagues in supporting H. Res. 230, a resolution recognizing the 50th 
anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which was signed on March 25, 1957. 
The Treaty of Rome established a customs union--formally known as the 
European Economic Community--among six countries: Belgium, France, 
Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany. 
Today, that customs union is known as the European Union, and now 
includes 27 countries spanning the length and breadth of Europe. Most 
importantly, it has grown into an institution that inspires countries 
to be their better selves.
  If one travels to Europe today, it may be hard to remember that, 50 
years ago, the continent was still recovering from the second of the 
two world wars it had unleashed in less than half a century. It may be 
hard today to recall or imagine the magnitude of devastation that still 
scarred farmland and cities alike. It may be difficult to conceive of 
the bitterness, anger and thirst for revenge that bled across the 
continent like the blood of those fallen in war. The fact that Germany, 
a country that had unleashed a war of aggression against its neighbors 
just a few years before, was included in this new ``community'' was 
really nothing short of a minor miracle.
  Moreover, fifty years ago, Europe was still riven in two--no longer 
by a shooting war, but by a cold war. While a small group of nations 
was beginning the slow process of rebuilding their own countries and 
forging transnational relations based on cooperation, mutual trust, and 
mutual benefit, another part of the continent had fallen under the boot 
of communist dictatorship, where the Soviet Union exploited its 
neighbors, striping them of wealth, prosperity, and opportunity for 
generations. Just one year before the Treaty of Rome was signed, the 
Soviet Union underscored its opposition to any independent foreign or 
economic policy on the part of East European countries--a message 
unequivocally sent by its invasion of Hungary.
  As the years passed, and the success of the European Economic 
Communities became ever more apparent, it is no surprise that more 
countries joined this union. Membership in Council of Europe, the 
European Union's sister organization and home of the European Court of 
Human Rights, helped pave the way for membership in the EU. Meanwhile, 
the NATO alliance created a zone of military security where the post-
war citizens of Western Europe could build a zone of financial 
security.
  Since the fall of communism, there is no doubt that the aspiration of 
joining the European Union, much like the goal of joining the NATO 
alliance, has helped focus the attention of many countries on 
overcoming their past differences for a larger, common good that also 
brings substantial benefits to their own citizens. Today, I commemorate 
the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, and the new 
vision it held for the European continent, one that has helped spread 
peace and prosperity to nearly 500 million people.
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 230.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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