[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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