[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 395--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE IN SUPPORT OF 
 THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION AND THE NATO SUMMIT TO BE HELD 
           IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FROM MAY 20 THROUGH 21, 2012

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Kirk, and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 395

       Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty, signed April 4, 1949, in 
     Washington, District of Columbia, which created the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (referred to in this preamble as 
     ``NATO''), proclaims: ``[Members] are determined to safeguard 
     the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their 
     peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual 
     liberty and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability 
     and well-being in the North Atlantic area. They are resolved 
     to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the 
     preservation of peace and security.'';
       Whereas NATO has been the cornerstone of transatlantic 
     security cooperation and an enduring instrument for promoting 
     stability in Europe and throughout the world for over 60 
     years;
       Whereas the NATO summit in Chicago, Illinois is an 
     opportunity to enhance and more deeply entrench those 
     principles, which continue to bind the alliance together and 
     guide our efforts today;
       Whereas the new Strategic Concept, approved in Lisbon, 
     Spain in November 2010, affirms that all NATO members ``are 
     determined that NATO will continue to play its unique and 
     essential role in ensuring our common defence and security'' 
     and that NATO ``continues to be effective in a changing 
     world, against new threats, with new capabilities and new 
     partners'';
       Whereas the Chicago Summit will mark a critical turning 
     point for NATO and a chance to focus on current operations, 
     future capabilities, and the relationship between NATO and 
     partners around the world;
       Whereas the Chicago Summit will be the first NATO summit 
     held in the United States since the 50th anniversary summit 
     was held in Washington, District of Columbia in 1999 and the 
     first NATO summit held outside of Washington, District of 
     Columbia;
       Whereas NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, 
     ``Chicago is a city built upon diversity, and on 
     determination. Those are values that underpin NATO too.'';
       Whereas the Chicago Summit presents an opportunity to show 
     to the world the Heartland of the United States--the site of 
     the first elevated railway, the first skyscraper in the 
     world, the busiest futures exchange in the world, and the 
     starting point for historic Route 66;
       Whereas the thousands of visitors to the Chicago Summit 
     will have the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the 
     city of Chicago, the 77 distinct neighborhoods in Chicago, 
     and the State of Illinois; and
       Whereas the contributions of generations of immigrants have 
     made the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois what they 
     are today and the ancestral homelands of the immigrants now 
     contribute to making NATO the organization it is today: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the service of the brave men and women who 
     have served to safeguard the freedom and security of the 
     United States and the whole of the transatlantic alliance;
       (2) honors the sacrifices of United States personnel, 
     allies of the North American Treaty Organization (referred to 
     in this resolution as ``NATO''), and partners in Afghanistan;
       (3) remembers the 63 years NATO has served to ensure peace, 
     security, and stability in Europe and throughout the world;
       (4) reaffirms that NATO, through the new Strategic Concept, 
     is oriented for the changing international security 
     environment and the challenges of the future;
       (5) urges all NATO members to take concrete steps to 
     implement the Strategic Concept and to utilize the NATO 
     summit in Chicago, Illinois to address current NATO 
     operations, future capabilities and burden-sharing issues, 
     and the relationship between NATO and partners around the 
     world;
       (6) conveys appreciation for the steadfast partnership 
     between NATO and the United States; and
       (7) expresses support for the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago.

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