[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 73 (Friday, May 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WELCOMING PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG OF SINGAPORE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2007

  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam. Speaker, I rise as Chairman of the Singapore Caucus 
to welcome Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong of Singapore on the occasion 
of his visit to the United States. Our friends in Singapore have always 
been great allies. Our two countries share a common vision of promoting 
peace, stability, security, and prosperity--not only in the Asia 
Pacific Region--but also throughout the world.
  During Prime Minister Lee's previous visit, he affirmed his countries 
continued commitment to peace and security by signing with President 
Bush the ``Strategic Framework Agreement between the United States of 
America and the Republic of Singapore for a Closer Cooperation 
Partnership in Defense and Security.'' This agreement formalized the 
growing bilateral security and defense relationship in 
counterterrorism, counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, 
joint military exercises, policy dialogues, and shared defense 
technology.
  Home to the world's busiest port, Singapore has consistently 
demonstrated its commitment to maritime security. It was a founding 
member of Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a program that aims 
to interdict shipments of weapons of mass destruction-related materials 
and was the first Asian country to join the Container Security 
Initiative (CSI), a series of bilateral, reciprocal agreements that 
allow U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials to pre-screen U.S.-bound 
containers.
  The relationship between the United States and Singapore extends 
beyond the current campaign against terrorism and is reinforced by 
strong ties of commerce. Since entering into a Free Trade Agreement on 
January 1st, 2004, commerce between the United States and Singapore has 
strengthened. We are Singapore's second largest trading partner with 
more than 1,300 United States companies currently operating in 
Singapore and many more seeking opportunities.
  I would also like to commend Singapore for working with Indonesia, 
Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand to organize the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Since its inception forty years ago, 
the Association has accelerated economic growth, social progress and 
cultural development in the region, and it has promoted regional peace 
and stability among countries in the region. As the organization 
celebrates its 40th Anniversary, I applaud them for their leadership 
and wish them many more years of success.
  I wish Prime Minister Lee and the Singapore delegation a prosperous 
visit. I know this Congress will continue to strengthen the friendship 
and cooperation between our two countries.




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