[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3416-H3418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING CLOSE U.S.-U.K. RELATIONSHIP

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1303) recognizing the close friendship and 
historical ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1303

       Whereas the Magna Carta, which subjected the English 
     monarch and the English people to the rule of law and is 
     considered one of the most important documents in the legal 
     history of the United Kingdom and the United States, was 
     recognized in 1957 by the American Bar Association for its 
     importance to United States law and constitutionalism and 
     remains on permanent display at the National Archives and 
     Records Administration Building in Washington, DC;
       Whereas the English philosopher John Locke, through his 
     monumental works on social contract theory and natural law 
     entitled ``An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'', ``First 
     Treatise on Government'', and ``Second Treatise on 
     Government'', greatly influenced the American Revolution;
       Whereas Scottish economist Adam Smith's ``Wealth of 
     Nations'' greatly contributed to the competition and free 
     market principles of the United States;
       Whereas the English lawyer Sir William Blackstone's 
     ``Commentaries on the Laws of England'' had a lasting 
     influence on the development of United States common law and 
     legal institutions;
       Whereas the arrival of more than 1,500,000 members of the 
     United States Armed Forces in the United Kingdom in the 1940s 
     was a turning point in World War II that further solidified 
     the close friendship between the United Kingdom and the 
     United States;
       Whereas Sir Winston Churchill, who heroically and 
     skillfully guided the United Kingdom through World War II, 
     articulated the close ties between the United Kingdom and the 
     United States when he was recognized by becoming the first 
     Honorary Citizen of the United States on April 9, 1963, 
     stating, ``In this century of storm and tragedy I contemplate 
     with high satisfaction the constant factor of the interwoven 
     and upward progress of our peoples. Our comradeship and our 
     brotherhood in war were unexampled. We stood together, and 
     because of that fact the free world now stands. Nor has our 
     partnership any exclusive nature: the Atlantic community is a 
     dream that can well be fulfilled to the detriment of none and 
     to the enduring benefit and honour of the great 
     democracies.'';
       Whereas, on August 14, 1941, President Franklin Delano 
     Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed to the 
     Atlantic Charter which set forward principles meant to serve 
     as the precursor for the formation of the United Nations;
       Whereas when Sir Winston Churchill resigned from his second 
     tour of duty as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he 
     warned his cabinet to ``never be separated from the 
     Americans'';
       Whereas the United Kingdom and the United States were 
     founding Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     and were 2 of the original 12 countries to sign the North 
     Atlantic Treaty on April 4, 1949, in Washington, DC;
       Whereas the special relationship between the United Kingdom 
     and the United States was further strengthened by the 
     coordination of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and 
     President Ronald Reagan whose firm opposition to communism 
     ultimately led to the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist 
     Republics and the Iron Curtain;
       Whereas after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Prime 
     Minister Tony Blair immediately flew to the United States to 
     express solidarity with the United States, and President 
     George W. Bush declared in a speech before Congress that the 
     United States ``has no truer friend than Great Britain'';
       Whereas the United Kingdom joined forces with the United 
     States against the Taliban in Afghanistan as part of 
     Operation Enduring Freedom from the first attacks in October 
     2001 and permitted the United States to fly missions from 
     Diego Garcia, part of the British Indian Ocean Territory;
       Whereas, as of March 15, 2010, a total of 273 United 
     Kingdom military and civilian personnel have died while 
     serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations;
       Whereas there are approximately 1,700 United Kingdom 
     military and civilian personnel currently deployed to assist 
     with the military and reconstruction efforts in Iraq;
       Whereas since 2003 the United Kingdom has pledged 
     744,000,000 British pounds toward reconstruction efforts in 
     Iraq;
       Whereas 179 United Kingdom military and civilian personnel 
     have died in Iraq since the beginning of the campaign in 
     March 2003;
       Whereas, on August 17, 2006, the United States and the 
     United Kingdom introduced a draft United Nations Security 
     Council resolution for the ``expeditious deployment'' of a 
     United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur, Sudan, and since 
     have worked collaboratively to press for full implementation 
     of the United Nations-Africa Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) 
     mandate;
       Whereas the United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office 
     reports that the United States is the largest source of 
     foreign direct investment in the United Kingdom's economy, 
     while the United Kingdom is the largest single investor in 
     the United States economy and, according to the United States 
     Trade Representative, the United Kingdom is one of the 
     European Union countries with the largest foreign direct 
     investment in the United States; and
       Whereas the United Kingdom and the United States share a 
     commitment to free speech, democracy, and the rule of law 
     based on the rich history of a longstanding friendship and 
     shared ideals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the special relationship between the United 
     Kingdom and the United States;
       (2) expresses sincere gratitude to the people of the United 
     Kingdom for their generosity, camaraderie, and cooperation 
     with the people of the United States in military operations, 
     foreign assistance, and other joint efforts throughout the 
     world;
       (3) acknowledges the importance of the United Kingdom's 
     political philosophy, law, and history on the cultural, 
     political, and legal institutions of the United States; and
       (4) looks forward to continued, deepening ties of 
     friendship between the peoples of the United Kingdom and the 
     United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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 New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution that recognizes the 
special relationship and historical ties between the United Kingdom and 
the United States. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my good friend, 
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart from Florida, for introducing this 
measure.
  The United Kingdom and the United States have a long history born of 
shared values and experiences. British legal and philosophical 
traditions have greatly influenced American practices while both our 
nations remain committed to human rights, rule of law, and good 
governance. Our economies are deeply intertwined, as became 
particularly evident during the global financial crisis. Indeed, 
Britain is the largest single investor in our economy, while we are the 
largest source of foreign direct investment in theirs.
  Our two nations also share a proud military history. British and 
American soldiers have stood shoulder to shoulder throughout the major 
conflicts of the last 100 years. Together we confronted the challenges 
of Nazism and communism, while today we are fighting together against 
the scourge of international terrorism. We remain grateful for 
Britain's active participation in the military and reconstruction 
efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  In recent months, some in Britain have begun to question this 
``special relationship,'' a phrase coined by British Prime Minister 
Winston Churchill in 1945. As is in the case of all relationships, the 
dynamic link between the U.S. and the U.K. has evolved over time. 
However, it is clear that our relationship is unique, vitally important 
and must continue to be nurtured. The United Kingdom remains an 
essential ally, a valuable partner and a true friend. All British Prime 
Ministers and American Presidents have forged effective working 
relationships in order to confront together the challenges facing the 
present day.

[[Page H3417]]

  On May 6, just a little while ago, the British people went to the 
polls. Yesterday we watched the political drama unfold as a coalition 
agreement was reached between the Conservative and Liberal Democratic 
Parties. The United States congratulates and stands ready to foster a 
strong relationship with Britain's new Prime Minister, David Cameron. 
This postelection period is an opportune moment to reflect upon the 
strong ties that bind our nations, to celebrate our friendship, and to 
recommit ourselves to continued cooperation in the future. Much work 
needs to be done, and the United States has no better partner in the 
world than the United Kingdom.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I am so pleased to rise in enthusiastic support of this important 
resolution, authored by my Florida colleague, the gentleman, 
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. This resolution recognizes the 
unsurpassed friendship and abiding special relationship between the 
United States and the United Kingdom.
  Throughout the history of our alliance and our friendship, we have 
stood by each other with a level of military, economic and diplomatic 
commitment and coordination of such an unparalleled extent that it has 
even been referred to as the ``special relationship.'' The United 
Kingdom has been a true friend of the United States even to the 
extraordinary measures of sharing and even jointly operating military 
bases overseas and being one of the few NATO allies in Afghanistan 
without restrictions on its troops' ability to engage in combat 
operations.
  The United Kingdom has also been a significant partner in efforts to 
prevent an Iranian nuclear weapons capability and has led efforts to 
convince the EU to adopt strong sanctions against the Iranian regime. 
Further, our economic bilateral relationship is without comparison as 
our nations' common sense of entrepreneurship and strong belief in free 
market principles has fostered extraordinary levels of trade and 
resulted in each country being the largest investor in the other's 
economy.
  In recent years, there has been some debate about the state of this 
special relationship and whether it is as solid today as it was in the 
days of President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston 
Churchill or in the days of President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister 
Margaret Thatcher. I am, indeed, concerned that some members in each of 
the three major British political parties have asserted a need to 
reevaluate our special relationship, siting their perception that the 
United States has already begun to back away from its close 
relationship toward the United Kingdom.
  I believe, however, Mr. Speaker, that the special nature of our 
relationship is not solely dependent upon the level of camaraderie 
between our political leaders at any given time. It is, instead, based 
on the bedrock ideals of democracy, of economic liberty, and respect 
for the rule of law that we both share.
  As with all close allies, it is incumbent upon both parties to 
continually work to improve and to strengthen the relationship, but I 
think that there is something of substance in our two countries' 
relationship, something based on those shared principles and cultural 
connections that endures.
  With passage of this resolution, Mr. Speaker, the House of 
Representatives will send a strong message of our commitment to that 
special relationship with our closest ally across the Atlantic, the 
United Kingdom. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to join me in 
supporting this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am now very pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to my good friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln 
Diaz-Balart), the ranking member on the Rules Subcommittee on 
Legislative and Budget Process and the author of the resolution before 
us.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank my dear friend Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen and also my friend Mr. Engel for their help in getting this 
resolution to the floor and their strong support of this important 
resolution.
  I take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate the United 
Kingdom's new Prime Minister, David Cameron, as he, as head of the 
Conservative Party, forms a new government with the Liberal Democrats. 
We wish him and all of the British people all the best. It's important 
that we in Congress take the time to recognize that great friend and 
ally of the United States. It is important that we recognize the 
special friendship and all that the United Kingdom has done to stand 
with the United States.
  This resolution recognizes the special relationship between the 
United Kingdom and the United States. It points out the strong 
influence that English philosophers, economists, jurists and other 
leaders have had on American political thought, on the United States 
legal system and on our government. This strong special relationship, 
founded on our shared history, continues into the modern day. The 
United Kingdom has repeatedly demonstrated the strength of its 
camaraderie with the United States.
  Within the last decade, the United Kingdom joined forces with us 
against the Taliban as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, and U.K. 
soldiers have fought alongside American soldiers in Iraq. The United 
Kingdom has suffered a tragic loss of life as a result. As of March, 
273 U.K. military and civilian personnel have given their lives in 
Afghanistan, and 179 have given the last full measure of devotion in 
Iraq.
  I am very proud, Mr. Speaker, to have introduced this resolution, 
highlighting the strong ties that bind our countries together. The 
United Kingdom is a great friend and ally of the United States. 
Reflecting on our relationship, Winston Churchill said, ``In this 
century of storm and tragedy, I contemplate with high satisfaction the 
constant factor of the interwoven and upward progress of our peoples. 
Our comradeship and our brotherhood in war were unexampled. We stood 
together, and because of that fact, the free world now stands. Nor has 
our partnership any exclusive nature: the Atlantic community is a dream 
that can well be fulfilled to the detriment of none and to the enduring 
benefit and honor of the great democracies.''
  During the most trying times in the history of the United States, we 
have had no truer friend than the United Kingdom. I sincerely hope that 
our futures will continue to reflect our histories, deepen our 
friendship and continually refresh our commitment to the shared values 
of the rule of law and democratic principles. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this important and, I believe, timely resolution.
  Mr. ENGEL. I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1915

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield myself 30 
seconds to point out that today, on the first day in office of a new 
British Government, let us send to Prime Minister David Cameron and to 
the people of the United Kingdom a clear message of our friendship and 
our commitment to this special relationship. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in support of this important measure.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would yield 30 seconds to myself to say 
that anyone who has gone to the United Kingdom, you feel this special 
relationship as we mentioned on both sides of the aisle. You feel the 
camaraderie and you do feel the special bond. I would say tongue in 
cheek, if we look at the British coalition together, they put together 
a coalition of liberal Democrats and conservatives; and I would say to 
the gentlewoman from Florida, if we could do that more often, we may 
learn a lot more from the British.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Deutch). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1303, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Recognizing 
the special relationship and historic ties between the United Kingdom 
and the United States.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

[[Page H3418]]



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