[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7839-S7840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 673--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT IT 
  VALUES THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AS THE 
   STATE PARTNER OF THE VERMONT NATIONAL GUARD OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS

  Mr. LEAHY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 673

       Whereas the National Guard State Partnership Program was 
     created by the Department of the Army in 1993 to link foreign 
     partner countries with segments of the National Guard to 
     foster mutual interests and establish long-term 
     relationships;
       Whereas in March 1995, after the signing of the Memorandum 
     for Understanding in 1994, a Vermont State Partnership 
     Program was established between the State of Vermont and the 
     Republic of Macedonia;
       Whereas since 1995, Macedonia and Vermont have participated 
     in more than 200 joint activities;
       Whereas more than 4,000 members of the Ministry of Defense 
     and armed forces of Macedonia have received knowledge and 
     training according to the standards, tactics, and strategies 
     of the United States Armed Forces;
       Whereas the joint activities of the Vermont Macedonia state 
     partnership have shown the military of Macedonia how the 
     military of the United States operates and have prepared and 
     trained soldiers for international engagements, civil-
     military operations, crisis management, economic development, 
     higher education, and environmental policy;
       Whereas Macedonia has participated in NATO-led and 
     international military missions in Afghanistan since August 
     2002 and increased troop levels in 2010;
       Whereas the Government of Macedonia has made a substantial 
     contribution of troops to the NATO International Security 
     Assistance Force relative to the population size of the 
     country;
       Whereas the Government of Macedonia participates in 
     regional cooperation initiatives and provides assistance to 
     neighboring countries;
       Whereas during the Kosovo crisis of 1999, territory in 
     Macedonia served as a staging area and main corridor for 
     logistical support to the NATO Kosovo Force (commonly 
     referred to as ``KFOR'');
       Whereas the Government of Macedonia has led the KFOR 
     Coordination Centre for logistical support in Skopje since 
     2006;
       Whereas in the interest of a faithful partnership with the 
     United States, the Government of Macedonia deployed troops to 
     Iraq under the leadership of the Government of the United 
     States until 2008;
       Whereas soldiers from Macedonia earned 120 medals awarded 
     by the United States;
       Whereas in July 2006, the Government of Macedonia deployed 
     a helicopter detachment unit and medical team to Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina as part of Operation Althea led by the European 
     Union, which continues today; and
       Whereas since April 2010, troops from Macedonia have 
     deployed to Afghanistan and have been embedded in the 86th 
     Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard as 
     a result of the longstanding military partnership and spirit 
     of mutual confidence and cooperation between Macedonia and 
     Vermont: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the cooperation between the State of Vermont 
     and the Republic of Macedonia and the joint military 
     partnership between the Vermont National Guard and the Army 
     of the Republic of Macedonia for the past 15 years;
       (2) greatly appreciates these efforts by the Republic of 
     Macedonia and congratulates the Government and people of 
     Macedonia on their commitment to and participation with the 
     Government and people of the United Sates and other countries 
     in advancing peace, democracy, stability, and mutual 
     understanding among governments and people around the world; 
     and
       (3) expresses appreciation for the joint endeavors of the 
     Governments of Macedonia and the United States in combating 
     terrorist activities around the world.

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce and bring to the 
Senate's attention today a resolution which recognizes the value of the 
defense relationship between the National Guard of the State of Vermont 
and the military services of the Republic of Macedonia, under the 
National Guard State Partnership Program.
  Time and again, the Republic of Macedonia has contributed to 
important NATO-led missions, including several hundred troops currently 
deployed to Afghanistan along with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat 
Team of the Vermont National Guard. This relationship has yielded 
tangible benefits for both our countries, and I am proud of the role 
that Vermont has played in strengthening and broadening a growing 
international partnership.
  The Vermont National Guard began its relationship with the armed 
services of the Republic of Macedonia in 1994, shortly after the 
Department of the Army created the National Guard State Partnership 
Program in 1993. Since 1995, the Republic of Macedonia and the Vermont 
Guard have participated in more than 200 joint activities, and more 
than 4000 members of the Macedonian Ministry of Defense have been 
trained by the Vermont Guard.
  Macedonia has participated in NATO-led and international military 
missions in Afghanistan since August 2002, increasing its troop levels 
there in 2010. Especially given its relatively small population, 
Macedonia has made a substantial, needed and welcome contribution of 
troops to the NATO International Security Assistance Force.
  Macedonia's participation in international security efforts also 
precedes the Afghanistan deployment. During the Kosovo crisis of 1999, 
territory in Macedonia served as a staging area and main corridor for 
logistical support to the NATO Kosovo Force, commonly referred to as 
``KFOR,'' and the Government of Macedonia has led the KFOR Coordination 
Centre for logistical support in Skopje since 2006. In the interest of 
underscoring a faithful partnership with the United States, the 
Government of Macedonia even deployed troops to Iraq until 2008. 
Macedonian

[[Page S7840]]

soldiers have been recognized by the U.S. military with more than 120 
medals.
  Given all of these valuable efforts, I believe it is time the United 
States Senate offered its commendation and appreciation to the 
Government and people of the Republic of Macedonia. I hope the Senate 
will heartily concur in this much-deserved recognition.

                          ____________________