[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 15, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6656-S6657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 253--WELCOMING KING FELIPE VI AND QUEEN LETIZIA OF 
SPAIN ON THEIR OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING VISITS TO 
                    MIAMI AND ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

  Mr. NELSON (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Kaine) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 253

       Whereas King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain are 
     visiting St. Augustine, Florida to celebrate the 450th 
     Commemoration of the city and to participate in the annual 
     United States-Spain Council forum;
       Whereas Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon landed on the east 
     coast of Florida in 1513 and named the land he discovered La 
     Florida;
       Whereas St. Augustine was founded by Spanish admiral Pedro 
     Menendez de Aviles on September 8, 1565;
       Whereas St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied 
     European settlement in the United States;
       Whereas the United States-Spain Council serves an important 
     purpose in bringing the United States and Spain closer 
     through trade, investment, education, and culture, as well as 
     by fostering military cooperation between the 2 countries;
       Whereas the United States-Spain Council is holding its 
     annual forum in St. Augustine from September 18-20, 2015;
       Whereas the people and Governments of the United States and 
     Spain have both benefitted from strong economic and cultural 
     ties;

[[Page S6657]]

       Whereas Spain has played a special role in the history and 
     culture of St. Augustine and Florida; and
       Whereas King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia met with President 
     Barack Obama on September 15, 2015, for their first official 
     visit to the White House: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) welcomes King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain 
     during their visit to the United States; and
       (2) expresses its appreciation for the efforts of King 
     Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to strengthen the bonds between 
     the people and Governments of the United States and Spain.

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