[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 183 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 135TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE 
                       UNITED STATES AND ROMANIA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 322, S. Res. 326.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 326) celebrating the 135th 
     anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States 
     and Romania.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution, which had been reported from the Committee on Foreign 
Relations with an amendment to the preamble.
  (Omit the part in boldface brackets and insert the part printed in 
italic.)

                              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 both 
     as a resolute ally of [both] the United States and as a 
     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.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to; that the amendment to the preamble be agreed 
to; that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions 
to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 326) was agreed to.
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The preamble, as amended, was agreed to.

                          ____________________