[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 174 (Wednesday, December 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING 130 YEARS OF UNITED STATES-ROMANIAN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 22, 2010

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Co-Chair of the Romanian 
Caucus in the House of Representatives, to support the unanimous 
consent to Senate Resolution S. Con. Res. 67, which Senator George 
Voinovich introduced on June 30 of this year, to celebrate 130 years of 
U.S.-Romanian diplomatic relations, to congratulate the Romanian people 
of their achievements as a great nation, and to reaffirm the deep bonds 
of trust and values between the United States and Romania. This 
Resolution is concurrent with House Resolution H. Con. Res. 291 that I 
introduced on June 29 of this year.
  In my five years of leadership of the Romanian Caucus I worked 
closely with Romanian officials and leaders, and witnessed their 
commitment to upholding and advancing the values of freedom, democracy 
and prosperity. Romania has been an extraordinary ally in NATO and a 
critical partner in the European Union, in addressing some of the most 
important challenges facing our transatlantic and global community--
from ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan, to nuclear 
proliferation, to energy security. Romania is a trusted ally and a 
strategic partner of the United States, with whom we have developed 
great cooperation on issues of common interest, including security, 
economic and political conditions in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the 
Black Sea and Caucasus regions.
  I am very proud of the Congress passing this Resolution, as it 
reflects and commends the many achievements of the U.S.-Romanian 
partnership and of the Romanian people. I thank all my colleagues who 
supported the Resolution and I urge Congress to continue to support 
cooperation between the United States and Romania, and to deepen the 
bonds of trust and friendship between our two countries.

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