[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 9--COMMEMORATING 90 YEARS OF U.S.-POLISH DIPLOMATIC 
RELATIONS, DURING WHICH POLAND HAS PROVEN TO BE AN EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG 
   PARTNER TO THE UNITED STATES IN ADVANCING FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD

  Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, and Ms. Mikulski) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res. 9

       Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations 
     with the newly-formed Polish Republic in April 1919;
       Whereas the year 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of 
     democracy in Poland, as well as the 20th anniversary of the 
     fall of communism in Poland;
       Whereas the year 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of 
     Poland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO);
       Whereas the year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the 
     Fulbright Educational Exchange Program in Poland;
       Whereas Poland has overcome a legacy of foreign occupation 
     and period of communist rule to emerge as a free and 
     democratic nation;
       Whereas Poland has strongly supported the United States 
     diplomatically and militarily, as well as supporting United 
     States-led efforts in combating global terrorism, and has 
     contributed troops to the coalitions led by the United States 
     in both Afghanistan and Iraq; and
       Whereas Poland has cooperated closely with the United 
     States on issues such as democratization, nuclear 
     proliferation, human rights, regional cooperation in Eastern 
     Europe, and reform of the United Nations: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) celebrates the 90th anniversary of U.S.-Polish 
     diplomatic relations;
       (2) congratulates the Polish people on their great 
     accomplishments as a free democracy; and
       (3) expresses appreciation for Poland's steadfast 
     partnership with the United States.

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today to offer a resolution 
commemorating several remarkable milestones in the U.S.-Poland 
partnership. This year marks the 90th anniversary of diplomatic 
relations between the United States and Poland, the 50th anniversary of 
the Fulbright Exchange Program with Poland, and the 10th anniversary of 
Poland's accession to NATO.
  The U.S.-Polish friendship formally began in 1919 and has endured 
through two world wars, the Cold War, and the emergence of a vibrant 
democracy after the fall of communism. This partnership has been 
bolstered by two unqualified successes of U.S. diplomacy. The Fulbright 
Exchange Program has nurtured the pursuit of higher learning for Polish 
and American students, professors, and researchers, for many decades 
offering Poles a rare window into the opportunities afforded by 
democratic society. Such exchanges invigorated intellectual thought and 
creativity in Poland, Eastern Europe, and the West and helped to hasten 
the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact.
  Poland exhibited great energy in undertaking economic, political, and 
military reforms, and the NATO alliance was strengthened by Polish 
membership in 1999. Poland today remains the closest of our allies, 
having contributed great wherewithal to combating global terrorism and 
bringing stability to Afghanistan and Iraq. In recognition of the 
profound successes of the U.S.-Polish alliance, I am pleased to 
introduce this resolution congratulating the Polish people on their 
great accomplishments as a free democracy and expressing our country's 
appreciation for Poland's steadfast partnership.
  I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in supporting this 
important legislation.

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