[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 175 (Thursday, December 3, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 326--CELEBRATING THE 135TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC 
            RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ROMANIA

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

                              S. Res. 326

       Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations 
     with Romania in June 1880;
       Whereas the Governments of the United States and Romania 
     strive to continually improve cooperation between government 
     leaders and strengthen the two countries' strategic 
     partnership, focusing on the political-military relationship, 
     law-enforcement collaboration, trade and investment 
     opportunities, and energy security;
       Whereas the Governments of the United States and Romania 
     are committed to supporting human rights, advancing the rule 
     of law, democratic governance, economic growth, and freedom;
       Whereas Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) in 2004, and has established itself as a 
     resolute ally of both the United States and strong NATO 
     member;
       Whereas the Government of Romania continues to improve its 
     military capabilities, and has repeatedly demonstrated its 
     willingness to provide forces and assets in support of 
     operations that address the national security interests of 
     the United States and all NATO members, including deployments 
     to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Kosovo;
       Whereas, in 2011, the United States and Romania issued the 
     ``Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st 
     Century Between the United States of America and Romania,'' 
     reflecting increasing cooperation between our countries to 
     promote security, democracy, free market opportunities, and 
     cultural exchange;
       Whereas the United States and Romania signed a ballistic 
     missile defense (BMD) agreement in 2011, allowing the 
     deployment of United States personnel, equipment, and anti-
     missile interceptors to Romania;
       Whereas, in October 2014, the United States Navy formally 
     launched Naval Support Facility Deveselu to achieve the goals 
     of the 2011 BMD agreement and thus established the first new 
     United States Navy base since 1987;
       Whereas, in September 2015, Romania stood up a NATO Force 
     Integration Unit;
       Whereas Romania will host the Alliance's Multinational 
     Division-Southeast headquarters in Bucharest and commits 
     significant resources to the Very High Readiness Joint Task 
     Force;
       Whereas Romania has agreed to host components of the United 
     States' European Phased Adaptive Approach missile defense 
     system, which will be operational by the end of 2015; and
       Whereas, for the past 25 years, the Government of Romania 
     has shown leadership in advancing stability, security, and 
     democratic principles in Central and Eastern Europe, the 
     Western Balkans, and the Black Sea region, especially in the 
     current difficult regional context: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) celebrates the 135th anniversary of United States-
     Romanian diplomatic relations;
       (2) congratulates the people of Romania on their 
     accomplishments as a great nation; and
       (3) expresses appreciation for Romania's unwavering 
     partnership with the United States.

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