[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7726-H7727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1920
                     COMMENDING THE MARSHALL CENTER

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 528) commending the George C. Marshall European 
Center for Security Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability 
and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 528

       Whereas The George C. Marshall European Center for Security 
     Studies (the Marshall Center), a joint partnership of the 
     United States and German governments located in the German 
     city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is a world-renowned 
     international security and defense studies institute 
     promoting dialogue and understanding among the nations of 
     North America, Europe, and Eurasia;
       Whereas since its inception in 1993, the Marshall Center 
     has sought to advance the legacy, goals, and ideals of the 
     1948-1951 Marshall Plan by advancing democratic institutions, 
     promoting peaceful security cooperation, and enhancing 
     partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, and 
     Eurasia;
       Whereas the Marshall Center has played and continues to 
     play a critical role in fostering the peaceful transition to 
     stable democratic governance in the formerly communist states 
     of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia by developing and 
     expanding defense and security cooperation between these 
     countries and North America and Western Europe;
       Whereas today, the security of the United States remains 
     inseparably linked to the peace and stability of Europe and 
     Eurasia;
       Whereas the United States and Europe face an array of new 
     and emerging security challenges ranging from transnational 
     terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear, biological, or 
     chemical weapons to regional and local conflicts and failing 
     and failed states;
       Whereas successful resolution of these 21st century 
     security challenges will require strong transatlantic 
     cooperation and international, interagency, and 
     interdisciplinary responses;
       Whereas through its tailored educational and outreach 
     programs in areas ranging from transnational terrorism and 
     post-conflict stability operations to advanced security 
     studies, the Marshall Center prepares leaders from North 
     America, Europe, and Eurasia to address emerging security 
     challenges and to forge a 21st century security environment 
     defined by peace and cooperation;
       Whereas the Marshall Center's programs play a vital role in 
     building support for United States and German defense and 
     security policy and strategies, and fostering understanding 
     and support among friends and allies to combat transnational 
     terrorism and other security threats and to transform 
     national defense establishments to effectively meet the array 
     of 21st century security challenges;
       Whereas to date, general officers, members of parliament, 
     ministers, ambassadors, and other high-ranking government 
     officials from over 100 countries have benefited from the 
     Marshall Center's unique programs; and
       Whereas the United States House of Representatives' 
     delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) 
     visited the Marshall Center in February 2009, recognizes the 
     importance of the Center's work, and seeks to support the 
     Center's efforts by engaging in constructive dialogue with 
     parliamentarians from NATO member and associate and observer 
     states on key transatlantic security issues: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the Marshall Center for its efforts to promote 
     peace, stability, and security throughout North America, 
     Europe, and Eurasia;
       (2) expresses appreciation for the strong partnership 
     between the United States and German governments in advancing 
     their mutual national security interests through the Marshall 
     Center's programs;
       (3) expresses appreciation to Marshall Center Director Dr. 
     John P. Rose and his outstanding faculty and staff for their 
     hard work and commitment to advancing the Center's mission;
       (4) notes that the security of the United States remains 
     inseparably linked to peace and stability on the European 
     continent; and
       (5) reaffirms its commitment to promoting transatlantic 
     cooperation through international collaborative educational 
     programs such as those offered by the Marshall Center.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which 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 Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H7727]]

  This resolution goes hand in glove with the one that we just took up. 
It commends the George Marshall European Center for Security Studies. 
Last year when we visited the NATO School in Oberammergau, we went then 
to the Marshall Center, which is located in Garmisch not far from 
Oberammergau, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, to highlight our 
interest as Members of Congress in what was happening and taking place 
in both the NATO School and in the Marshall Center there.
  The Marshall Center was formed in 1993 as a German-American 
partnership. The Marshall Center is a world-renowned international 
security and defense studies institute with the mission of creating a 
more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions 
and relationships, especially in the field of defense; promoting 
peaceful security cooperation; and strengthening partnerships among 
nations of North America, Europe, and Eurasia.
  It is named after the legacy and vision of General George C. 
Marshall. The Marshall Plan, as we all remember after World War II, was 
a highly successful event, and the Marshall Center has a variety of 
unique courses and programs which involve officials from more than 110 
countries. The center contributes, in our view, to the national 
strategy of security cooperation throughout the region through 
professional education and research, dialogue, and detailed and 
thoughtful examination of issues that confront nations today.
  I am proud of recognizing these institutions, particularly the NATO 
School and the Marshall Center, because I think it is very important 
now in this uncertain time internationally, and we have been talking 
about it now for 30 minutes about the uncertainty in the world today, 
that we, as the United States House of Representatives, recognize and 
applaud what is taking place there in Germany in these two 
institutions.
  I think it is time well spent for us to debate, and the critical role 
that the Marshall Center is playing, particularly in fostering peaceful 
transitions and stable democracy in the former Warsaw Pact communist 
states of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, is particularly 
important today.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 528, a measure 
that commends the George C. Marshall European Center for Security 
Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability, and security 
throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia.
  The Marshall Center, located in Germany, is named after George C. 
Marshall, a general in the United States Army, who served as U.S. Army 
Chief of Staff during World War II, and later as our country's 
Secretary of State under President Harry Truman.
  General Marshall is most remembered for his role in formulating the 
famous Marshall Plan, which sought to help rebuild and strengthen war-
torn Western Europe after World War II. The center, established in 
1993, plays a significant role in helping the formerly communist 
countries of Europe and Eurasia to strengthen their democratic 
institutions while developing security cooperation with the other 
countries in the trans-Atlantic community.
  Thousands of leading officers from dozens of different countries have 
participated in programs and courses at the Marshall Center focusing on 
common security threats, the building of defense institutions, and the 
fostering of partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, 
and Eurasia.
  Through its program, the Marshall Center also serves as an important 
tool in strengthening partnerships aimed at addressing new and emerging 
security challenges, including the proliferation of nuclear, 
biological, and chemical weapons. Among other things, this resolution 
commends the Marshall Center for its work in promoting peace, 
stability, and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia.
  I support this bipartisan measure and urge my colleagues on both 
sides to support it as well.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Before I yield back the balance of my time, I want 
to commend Mr. Tanner for this resolution and the previous resolution, 
and his long-time work with NATO and his 22 years' experience here in 
the House of Representatives, much of that time serving on the Foreign 
Affairs Committee.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 528.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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