[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S7195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   200TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED STATES AND MEXICO BILATERAL RELATIONS

  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, on December 12, 1822, Jose Manuel Zozaya y 
Bermudez presented his credentials as Mexico's Envoy Extraordinary and 
Minister Plenipotentiary to U.S. President James Monroe, which 
established formal relations between our two countries.
  On December 12, 2022, the United States and Mexico celebrated the 
200th anniversary of our bilateral relations. Our relations with Mexico 
remain strong and vital, based on mutual respect as sovereign states. 
Mexico remains one of the United States' closest and most valued 
partners. Our bilateral relationship directly benefits the lives and 
livelihoods of millions of Americans and Mexicans, whether the issue is 
trade and economic development, educational and cultural exchange, 
citizen security, control of illicit drugs, migration, human 
trafficking, entrepreneurship, innovation, environmental protection, 
climate change, or public health.
  The scope of relations between the United States and Mexico extends 
beyond diplomacy. It encompasses extensive commercial, cultural, 
educational, and familial ties. Our countries share a 2,000-mile border 
with 47 active land ports of entry. Hundreds of thousands of people 
cross the border legally each day, strengthening people-to-people ties 
and deepening our integration. In addition, an estimated 1.6 million 
U.S. citizens live in Mexico, and nearly 40 million persons of Mexican 
descent reside in the United States. The U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary 
Group has been held regularly since 1961 to bring together legislators 
from both countries to discuss priority issues and identify ways to 
strengthen bilateral cooperation. Although our countries share a great 
number of ties, without a doubt, our peoples represent our strongest, 
deepest and most lasting bond, which will unite us forever. The 
bicentennial celebration serves as an opportunity to honor our personal 
ties and our shared history, while affirming our commitment to build a 
brighter future for our two nations.
  As the United States and Mexico reflect on 200 years of bilateral 
relations, we must celebrate the greatness of our peoples and commit to 
seize the opportunities ahead of us. The bicentennial allows us to 
reflect on our historical ties and grants us an opportunity to build on 
our shared priorities: economic prosperity, clean energy, security, 
migration, and our mutual understanding of one another.
  The United States and Mexico have enduring connections encompassing 
all aspects of life. As we address our shared challenges and work 
together for a prosperous future, we celebrate this era of cooperation 
and respect. This anniversary allows us to reflect on the past and more 
importantly, to chart a course for the future.

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