[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S3091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CZECH REPUBLIC, REPUBLIC OF 
           HUNGARY, AND REPUBLIC OF POLAND AS MEMBERS OF NATO

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of 
Senate Resolution 60, and that the Senate proceed to its immediate 
consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the title of the resolution.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 60) commemorating the 10-year 
     anniversary of the accession of the Czech Republic, the 
     Republic of Hungary, and the Republic of Poland as members of 
     the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or 
debate, and any statements related to the resolution be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 60) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 60

       Whereas, on March 12, 1999, the Czech Republic, the 
     Republic of Hungary, and the Republic of Poland formally 
     joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO);
       Whereas, in March 2009, NATO will celebrate the 10-year 
     anniversary of the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary, 
     and Poland as members of the alliance;
       Whereas representatives of the governments of the Czech 
     Republic, Hungary, and Poland will be in attendance as NATO 
     celebrates its 60th anniversary at a summit to be held on 
     April 4, 2009, in Germany and France;
       Whereas the security of the United States and its NATO 
     allies have been enhanced by the integration of the Czech 
     Republic, Hungary, and Poland into the NATO alliance;
       Whereas the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland have been 
     integral to the NATO mission of promoting a Europe that is 
     whole, undivided, free, and at peace;
       Whereas the membership of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and 
     Poland has strengthened the ability of NATO to perform a full 
     range of missions throughout the world;
       Whereas the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland continue to 
     provide crucial support and participation in the NATO 
     International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, as 
     NATO struggles to help the people of Afghanistan create the 
     conditions necessary for security and successful development 
     and reconstruction;
       Whereas the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland helped 
     support NATO efforts to stabilize and secure the Balkans 
     region by contributing to the NATO-led Kosovo Force;
       Whereas the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and all NATO 
     members share a strong mutual commitment to defense, regional 
     security, development, and human rights, throughout Europe 
     and beyond; and
       Whereas the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland have done 
     much to help NATO meet the global challenges of the 21st 
     century, including the threat of terrorism, the spread of 
     weapons of mass destruction, instability caused by failed 
     states, and threats to global energy security: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the accession of the 
     Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, and the Republic of 
     Poland as members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO);
       (2) congratulates the people of the Czech Republic, 
     Hungary, and Poland on their accomplishments as members of 
     free democracies and partners in European stability and 
     security;
       (3) expresses appreciation for the continuing and close 
     partnership between the United States Government and the 
     Governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland; and
       (4) urges the United States Government to continue to seek 
     new ways to deepen and expand its important relationships 
     with the Governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and 
     Poland.

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