[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORTING MONTENEGRO JOINING NATO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2017

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues Ms. 
Pingree of Maine and Mr. Moulton of Massachusetts, in strong support of 
the small but strategically important country of Montenegro. This past 
weekend, Montenegro celebrated the eleventh anniversary of its 
independence. This week, President Trump will attend the NATO Summit in 
Brussels, where Montenegro will be officially welcomed as a new Member.
  Along with the gentlewoman from Maine, I chair the Congressional 
Montenegro Caucus. The goal of the Caucus is simple: to educate Members 
of Congress on U.S.-Montenegro relations and show the people of 
Montenegro that they have friends here in the United States, including 
the U.S. Congress.
  Over the last year, the relationship between the United States and 
Montenegro has received greater attention here on Capitol Hill. I rise 
today to ask my colleagues to continue to devote time and attention 
over the year ahead on this important alliance.
  Indeed, in an overwhelming display of bipartisanship on March 28th 
the Senate ratified accession of Montenegro to become the 29th member 
of NATO. On April 11th, President Trump signed a Presidential Memoranda 
codifying this significant landmark.
  I am proud to also share that on April 27th our counterparts--the 
elected representatives in the Montenegrin Parliament--voted 46-0 to 
ratify accession to NATO.
  Eleven years ago this week, the people of Montenegro voted in favor 
of peacefully becoming an independent state and dissolving the union 
with Serbia. Shortly thereafter, all five members of the United Nations 
Security Council recognized the newest country in the world, beginning 
a new chapter in the history of trans-Atlantic relations regional and 
history.
  The events of the last few weeks and the last 11 years demonstrate 
the truest form of representative democracy. Civil debate here on 
Capitol Hill and in Podgorica among elected leaders representing the 
will of our constituents has shown the world that democracy remains the 
best form of government, despite its imperfections. As Churchill said, 
``No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has 
been said that democracy is the worst form of Government, except for 
all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.'' 
[Churchill By Himself, 2013]
  The inclusion of Montenegro into NATO will strengthen regional and 
trans-Atlantic security, and sends a strong message of the importance 
of democratic values. As my colleagues know, democratic values--
transparency, equal justice and rule of law--must constantly be 
fostered. Accession into NATO has allowed Montenegro to advance toward 
these values. It is our responsibility as a Congress to help this new 
nation further embrace Euro-Atlantic integration and to increase its 
ability to fight organized crime and corruption.
  Meanwhile, American business leaders likewise play a vital role. For 
example, the Stratex Group, the largest American investor in Montenegro 
with roots in Massachusetts, continues to work alongside our Embassy to 
foster stronger bilateral relations and a commitment by all Montenegrin 
elected officials--local and federal--to these democratic values we all 
hold dear. Only two places in Montenegro fly the American flag: the 
U.S. Embassy and the Stratex properties.
  Beyond strengthening our formal diplomatic alliance, my colleagues 
here in Congress must endeavor to creatively promote stronger ties in 
at least two ways.
  First, the State Partnership between the Maine National Guard and 
Montenegro has been successfully building relationships for over a 
decade, linking a unique component of the U.S. Department of Defense 
with the armed forces of Montenegro in a cooperative, mutually 
beneficial relationship. Through this program, the U.S. National Guard 
conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defense 
security goals but also leverages whole-of-society relationships and 
capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary 
engagements spanning military, government, economic and social spheres.
  Second, we must support business and cultural diplomacy--in 
Montenegro and around the world, encouraging our diplomats to have a 
greater appreciation for American investments in emerging democracies. 
To attract additional investment, Montenegro must fully commit to the 
rule of law, transparency and an independent judiciary. With the 
continued focus from the United States, I am confident Montenegrin 
government leaders will continue down the path of reform.
  The Congressional Montenegro Caucus congratulates Montenegro on their 
achievements as they finally have a seat at the table at this week's 
NATO meeting, and stands in support of a stable, secure Europe based on 
collective self-defense, economic freedom, the rule of law, and 
democracy.

                          ____________________