[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 108 (Thursday, June 11, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E528-E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ROMANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2020

  Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise along with Representatives Mike 
Conaway, Michael Turner, Brad Wenstrup, Chris Stewart, Rick Crawford, 
Elise Stefanik, and Will Hurd, to celebrate 140 years of diplomatic 
relations between the United States and Romania.
  Whereas, the United States established diplomatic relations with 
Romania in June 1880;
  Whereas, the United States regards Romania as an important ally in 
Central and Southeast Europe, which is setting an example of steady 
commitment to democratic leadership, national and transatlantic 
security, and economic development;
  Whereas, the United States and Romania have developed a strategic 
partnership built on longstanding friendship, historical ties and a 
joint promise to advancing the security and prosperity of their 
citizens and communities;
  Whereas, the United States recognizes and appreciates Romania's 
lasting efforts to modernize its armed forces and meet its NATO burden-
sharing commitments as one of the leading NATO members to allocate 2 
percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense spending;
  Whereas, the Romanian Armed Forces have supported NATO and United 
States operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theatres for almost 
two decades, contributing more than 30,000 total combat and support 
personnel to those missions, fighting alongside U.S. service members, 
and helping to protect vital security interests;
  Whereas, Romania as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS 
has deployed military trainers to train Iraqi Security Forces, provided 
humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq arid Syria, and is making 
remarkable efforts to support combatting international terrorism, 
including through critical intelligence sharing with Coalition 
partners;
  Whereas, Romania has been a leading nation in providing cybersecurity 
support to NATO and its partners, and the first country to have entered 
into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Government on the 
secure implementation of fifth generation wireless communications (5G) 
technology aimed at protecting critical security infrastructure from 
disruption and interference;
  Whereas, Romania has been a driving force leading to the 
establishment of the Three Seas Initiative, and one of the first 
countries to invest in the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund, which 
aims at increasing energy independence and infrastructure connectivity 
across Central Europe thereby strengthening the United States and 
European security;
  Whereas, Romania has been a champion of energy security in Europe, 
supporting the U.S. Government's Partnership for Transatlantic Energy 
Cooperation (P-TEC) initiative as leading partner on civil nuclear 
energy, helping to develop the next generation of nuclear technologies, 
and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. 
Government on strategic civil nuclear cooperation;
  Whereas, the United States and Romania have been deepening their 
economic relationship through increased bilateral trade and investment, 
and Romania in 2017 hosted the tenth annual U.S. Commercial Service 
Trade Winds Forum and Trade Mission, helping American companies boost 
exports across Southeast Europe;
  Whereas, the Governments of the United States and Romania are working 
closely together to develop an ambitious bilateral economic, trade, and 
investment agenda, including through driving a record attendance over 
the past three consecutive years by more than 50 Romanian companies to 
the United States SelectUSA Summit;
  Whereas, in 2018, as Romania celebrated its Unification Centennial, 
Governors from almost all 50 U.S. States issued Proclamations to 
congratulate Romanians and Romanian-Americans on that historic 
milestone, illustrating the close ties and friendship that exist 
between our nations and our people;
  Whereas, during the first half of 2019 Romania conducted its first 
Presidency of the Council of the European Union and promoted a 
successful agenda advancing important U.S.-EU goals such as energy 
security, intellectual property, human rights and regional cooperation 
across the Balkans and the Black Sea area;
  Whereas, in 2019 Romanians all across America commemorated 30 years 
since Romania's liberation from the former communist regime, a powerful 
reminder of the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and a celebration of 
the triumphant call of freedom, liberty and dignity;
  Whereas, over more than a century successive generations of Romanian-
Americans have contributed their resources of talent and 
entrepreneurship to American progress, and their rich cultural heritage 
represents a most precious feature of the American society;
  Whereas, during these times of unprecedented challenge caused by the 
Covid-19 pandemic crisis the United States and Romania are 
strengthening their partnership, helping each other in meaningful ways 
such as U.S. assistance with targeted funds and medical emergency 
equipment, and Romanian support for the swift repatriation of U.S. 
nationals overseas, and working together to enhance their mutual 
security and economic recovery and prosperity;
  Whereas, as a sign of solidarity and friendship between the Romanian 
and the American people, Romania has sent its first medical and expert 
support and advisory mission to the State of Alabama, assigning 15 
Romanian doctors, medical staff and chemical and biological risk 
experts to exchange best practices and assist local Covid-19 efforts in 
care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals across Alabama, thus 
strengthening our mutual capabilities to fight the virus pandemic and 
protect the health and lives of our citizens;
  Whereas, 2020 marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations 
between the United States and Romania: Now, therefore, be it
  Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
  (1) celebrates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between 
the United States and Romania and congratulates Romania and the 
Romanian people for their historic achievements as a nation and their 
steadfast pursuit of democratic, political, social and economic 
progress;
  (2) reaffirms the close bonds between the United States and Romania, 
based on their common commitment to the values of freedom, liberal 
democracy, rule of law and economic prosperity;
  (3) recognizes and appreciates Romania's principled standing for 
transatlantic unity and solidarity, and its leadership and contribution 
to advancing close U.S.-EU relations;
  (4) calls on the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government to continue 
to strengthen the strategic partnership between the United

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States and Romania and to find new ways to leverage, support and 
develop the friendship and cooperation between our two nations.

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