[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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