[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19865-19868]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     RECOGNIZING HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF UNITED STATES-AUSTRALIAN 
                              RELATIONSHIP

  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 217) recognizing the historic 
significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the alliance between 
Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty, paying tribute 
to the United States-Australia relationship, reaffirming the importance 
of economic and security cooperation between the United States and 
Australia, and welcoming the state visit by Australian Prime Minister 
John Howard, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 217

       Whereas the relationship between the United States and 
     Australia extends beyond security cooperation and is based on 
     common values, mutual respect, and a shared desire to see a 
     world at peace in which all peoples can enjoy the benefits of 
     democratic governance, fundamental human rights, and the 
     prosperity that market-oriented economies bring;
       Whereas the United States and Australia are jointly 
     committed to combating terrorism around the world;
       Whereas the United States and Australia share a wide range 
     of common interests in Asia and the Pacific, such as growth 
     and liberalization of international trade, regional

[[Page 19866]]

     cooperation on economic development, environmental 
     protection, and the peaceful settlement of disputes;
       Whereas the United States and Australia share the goals of 
     effective multilateral cooperation in arms control and 
     nonproliferation, halting the spread of weapons of mass 
     destruction, and ensuring the effective operation of 
     nonproliferation and arms control regimes;
       Whereas the Australia-United States Trade and Investment 
     Framework Agreement (TIFA) provides for consultations on 
     trade and investment policy issues;
       Whereas since 1985 the United States and Australia have 
     held annual bilateral Australia-United States Ministerial 
     Talks (AUSMIN) to develop and enhance their relationship;
       Whereas United States Presidential visits to Australia in 
     1991 and 1996 and visits of the Australian Prime Minister to 
     the United States in 1995, 1997, and 1999 have underscored 
     the strength and closeness of the alliance;
       Whereas the Sydney Declaration of 1996 reaffirmed and 
     strengthened the defense alliance between the United States 
     and Australia and the intention of both countries to work 
     cooperatively with other states in the region and to 
     encourage collective solutions to problems and security 
     challenges in the region;
       Whereas the United States and Australia are committed to 
     close bilateral cooperation on legal, counternarcotics, and 
     other global issues through the Mutual Legal Assistance 
     Treaty (MLAT) of 1997;
       Whereas the United States and Australia have worked 
     together closely in the World Trade Organization (WTO), as 
     active members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 
     (APEC) forum, and as strong supporters of the Association of 
     South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Regional Forum 
     (ARF) to encourage and improve regional cohesion;
       Whereas the various phases of the multinational and United 
     Nations operations in East Timor were a striking example of 
     regional cooperation to achieve shared goals;
       Whereas as evidenced by the recent situation in East Timor 
     and the economic crisis of 1997, the international and 
     economic security in the Asia-Pacific region is dynamic and 
     the vitality and relevance of the alliance since the end of 
     the Cold War is obvious;
       Whereas the alliance between the United States and 
     Australia during World War II was formalized in a 1951 
     security treaty commonly referred to as the ``ANZUS Treaty'', 
     which provides that the United States and Australia will act 
     to meet a common danger in the event of an armed attack in 
     the Pacific against either country and strengthen the fabric 
     of peace in the Pacific region;
       Whereas Australia and the United States have maintained a 
     close relationship with one another, and with the United 
     Nations, regional organizations, associations, and other 
     authorities in the Pacific region as a means to maintain 
     international peace and security;
       Whereas forces of the United States and Australia have 
     served alongside one another in many theaters of war and as 
     part of United Nations peacekeeping operations throughout the 
     world;
       Whereas the alliance between the United States and 
     Australia has been characterized by an extraordinary degree 
     of cooperation that includes information sharing, combined 
     exercises, joint training and educational programs, and joint 
     facilities;
       Whereas the Australia-United States security relationship, 
     having proved its value for five decades, will remain a 
     cornerstone of Asia-Pacific security into the 21st century; 
     and
       Whereas September 1, 2001, marks the 50th anniversary of 
     the ANZUS Treaty: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) expresses its appreciation to the Government and people 
     of Australia for the support given to the United States in 
     the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;
       (2) pays tribute to the relationship between the United 
     States and Australia and looks forward to the continued 
     growth and development of all aspects of the relationship;
       (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its 
     alliance with Australia under the ANZUS Treaty and to the 
     importance of security cooperation between the United States 
     and Australia and the importance of their mutual security 
     commitments, as was demonstrated by their joint decision to 
     invoke Article IV of the Treaty, which commits both countries 
     to act to meet a common danger;
       (4) reaffirms the importance of the trade and economic 
     relationship between Australia and the United States and 
     expresses its commitment to further strengthen it; and
       (5) expresses its strong support for continued close 
     cooperation between Australia and the United States on 
     economic and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region and 
     globally.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, of the United States' many formal relationships around 
the world, our alliance with Australia is among the most important and 
enduring. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of that 
alliance, one which I am pleased to say is as strong today as when the 
ANZUS Treaty was signed half a century ago. But the bonds connecting 
the United States and Australia are far deeper than those outlined in a 
simple piece of paper, regardless of its undoubted importance. We share 
common origins, common political institutions and governing principles, 
a common commitment to peace and freedom around the world. That 
commitment was tested many times in the past century, when Australian 
and U.S. forces fought side by side in a series of conflicts from World 
War I and World War II to the wars in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. 
Many of the fallen share common graves.
  Today, we recognize not only the past importance of our alliance with 
Australia but its continuing significance in a new century of 
unfamiliar challenges and unplumbed dangers. The strength of that 
alliance was newly demonstrated in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 
America September 11 when our Australian ally immediately pledged its 
unconditional support for the United States. That support included the 
decision by the Australian government to invoke article IV of the ANZUS 
Treaty which commits both countries to cooperate in responding to an 
attack. I should note this was the first time that article IV has been 
jointly invoked in the 50-year history of the ANZUS alliance.
  In this new century, the United States and Australia will have need 
of reliable friends and proven allies. The knowledge that we do not 
face our challenges alone, that we will meet them with steadfast 
partners such as Australia, is of incalculable importance and 
reassurance to the United States. It is for these and other reasons 
that I call up this resolution, recognizing the historic significance 
of the 50th anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the 
United States under the ANZUS Treaty. I look forward to the day when we 
will celebrate the first century of that alliance.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 217.
  I would first like to commend Chairman Hyde for introducing this 
important resolution. I would also like to express my appreciation to 
the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for joining us as original cosponsors.
  Madam Speaker, 5 weeks ago today, the House was scheduled to consider 
this important resolution which commemorates the 50th anniversary of 
the ANZUS treaty. This critical treaty established the strong security 
bonds between the United States and our friend Australia. Then came the 
horrendous attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon. The Capitol was 
evacuated and the congressional schedule was dramatically altered.
  Australia's outstanding response to the September 11 attacks has 
given us a firsthand opportunity to appreciate fully the strength of 
the relationship between the United States and Australia and the role 
that this treaty can play in furthering our relationship.
  On the 12th of September, Madam Speaker, Australian Prime Minister 
John Howard, in Washington for an official visit, joined us in this 
very hall

[[Page 19867]]

to hear President Bush address the Nation. The Prime Minister had 
already offered his full and complete support for a strong and united 
response against the acts of terrorism. And President Bush rightfully 
acknowledged that strong support.
  On the 14th of September, Australia invoked article IV of the treaty 
which requires the United States and Australia to act to meet a common 
danger. And on the 28th of September, Australia froze the assets of all 
27 terrorist organizations identified by the President in an executive 
order, including Osama bin Laden and his cohorts.
  On the 4th of October, Australia formally committed a wide range of 
air, ground, and naval forces to join with American forces in the fight 
against terrorism, including a detachment of special forces and air-to-
air refueling aircraft.

                              {time}  1430

  The Australian Government announced that it is ready to consider 
further military contributions as well.
  Madam Speaker, the last 5 weeks have shown that the United States-
Australia relationship is stronger than it has ever been, and the 
reasons for considering this important resolution are more important 
and compelling today than ever before.
  But we should not be surprised at the overwhelmingly positive 
response of our Australian friends to the September 11 attack. From 
human rights to trade to international peacekeeping, the United States 
and Australia have a common agenda, and the relationship between our 
two nations simply could not be closer.
  Australia assumed the leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region and 
has contributed greatly to the economic and political stability of the 
region. East Timor is the perfect example of Australia's leadership in 
the Asia-Pacific area. The Australians led the charge in bringing peace 
and stability to the troubled island after the Indonesians and the 
militias they support burned their way out of East Timor. Their 
military peacekeepers have been the backbone of the United Nations 
peacekeeping force still in East Timor. We are all pleased, Madam 
Speaker, that the East Timorese have recently conducted their first 
free elections since becoming independent from Indonesia.
  The resolution before the House today recognizes the importance of 
the 50th anniversary of the treaty; and it reaffirms the importance of 
close economic security, political and cultural ties between the United 
States and our friends in Australia. Our resolution recognizes the 
strong support provided by Australia to the United States in the 
aftermath of the September 11 terrorist outrage.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 
217.
  Madam Speaker, I am particularly pleased to yield 5 minutes to my 
friend, the gentleman from America Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), the 
ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 217. I am honored to join the chairman of the 
House Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Hyde); our ranking Democrat member, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lantos); and the Chair of our Subcommittee on East Asia and the 
Pacific, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), in jointly introducing 
this measure which honors the close friendship and extraordinarily deep 
relationship between Australia and the United States.
  As many of our colleagues may know, last month marked the 50th 
anniversary of our alliance with Australia under the ANZUS Treaty. The 
resolution before us properly recognizes that this vital security 
relationship has made historic and significant contributions to peace 
and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and will continue to do so 
throughout the new century.
  Even before the ANZUS Treaty was signed in 1951, however, Australia 
and the United States have worked together in partnership to confront 
common threats to democracy. From the summer of 1918, when the U.S. 
33rd National Guard Division joined Australian troops at the Battle of 
Le Hamel in France, we have fought together as allies in World War I, 
World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and, more recently, in 
conflicts in the Persian Gulf and even Somalia.
  Madam Speaker, it was during World War II in particular at the Battle 
of the Coral Sea where United States and Australia naval forces joined 
in one of the allies' finest hours in the Pacific Theater. On May 4, 
1942, the joint forces of American and Australian warships stopped the 
Axis armada, which had never before been defeated, in its historic 
march across the Pacific region. By crushing the fearsome enemy fleet, 
a planned invasion of Australia was stymied and marked the strategic 
and pivotal turning point in World War II, leading to the victory for 
allied forces and the protection of the free world.
  It was this victorious alliance between the United States and 
Australia that the ANZUS Security Treaty was born, which holds that the 
U.S. and Australia will act to meet the common danger in the event of 
an attack against either country.
  Madam Speaker, when the horrific terrorist attacks against our Nation 
occurred on September 11 of last month, Australia took immediate steps 
to demonstrate their commitment and support of the United States in 
this crisis.
  I deeply commend Prime Minister John Howard, who was in Washington at 
the time, for his strong leadership and standing in solidarity with 
America. Within days, Australia invoked article IV of the ANZUS Treaty, 
following with a concrete commitment of military assets, including 
special forces detachments, military aircraft and amphibious command 
capability. When requested by President Bush, Australia also took steps 
to immediately freeze the assets of terrorist organizations.
  Madam Speaker, the quick and timely response of Australia in coming 
to our Nation's aid to combat international terrorism leaves no doubt 
in our minds that our friends are indeed very serious about their 
security commitments to the United States.
  In addition to our extensive defense and intelligence cooperation, 
Australia has worked closely with the United States to combat global 
problems such as the HIV-AIDS crisis, the international criminal 
syndicates and narcotics trafficking, and the proliferation of weapons 
of mass destruction and missile technology.
  We have also served together in international peacekeeping forces, 
for which in particular Australia should be deeply commended for its 
outstanding leadership of multinational operations in East Timor, which 
resolved the crisis and restored stability in that new-born nation.
  Madam Speaker, the United States and Australia also share a robust 
trade relationship. We are Australia's second largest trading partner, 
with an annual trade exceeding $22 billion a year; and our two nations 
consult and work closely in the World Trade Organization and APEC for 
the promotion of international trade and regional economic development. 
To further boost our trade relationship, it is necessary and 
appropriate that a free trade agreement be finalized between our 
nations.
  Madam Speaker, for all these reasons and more, I urge our colleagues 
to support passage of this measure that honors our common heritage with 
Australia: the respect of human rights, the rule of law, the trust in 
free market economies, and our fundamental belief in government by 
democratic rule.
  Madam Speaker, adoption of this measure sends a strong message 
reaffirming the deep respect and enduring bonds of friendship that have 
bound and will always bind the people of the United States with the 
good people of Australia.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, as a co-sponsor of House Concurrent 
Resolution 217, this Member rises in strong support for the bill which 
recognizes the historic significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the 
alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS 
Treaty. The measure also pays tribute

[[Page 19868]]

to the United States-Australia relationship, reaffirms the importance 
of economic security cooperation between the United States and 
Australia, and welcomes the state visit by Australian Prime Minister 
John Howard.
  This member would like to commend the efforts of the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois and Chairman of the International Relations 
Committee (Mr. Hyde), and the distinguished gentleman from California 
and Ranking Minority Member of the International Relations Committee 
(Mr. Lantos) for introducing and moving forward this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, when the ANZUS Treaty was signed on September 1, 1951, 
no one could have anticipated that 50 years later, Australia would 
invoke Article 4 of the treaty to assist the U.S. in its efforts 
against the threat of terrorism. Indeed, the treaty was negotiated and 
signed during the Cold War when the spread of Communism to Pacific 
countries loomed as the major threat. It was considered much more 
likely at that time that the U.S. would need to invoke the treaty to 
aid and defend the other signatories. Now, the threat of Communism has 
disappeared, but U.S.-Australian military ties remain very strong and, 
in fact, poised to defeat the new threats to global security, including 
threats to financial, transportation, and immigration systems.
  Currently, Australia has offered the services of 150 elite Special 
Air Service soldiers and 2 Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707 
refueling aircraft. Additionally, the Australian Government has 
indicated that, if necessary, they could contribute long-range 
surveillance support and an amphibious command ship to the war on 
terrorism.
  Madam Speaker, this commitment on the part of the Australians is to 
be commended as is the role it has previously played in defending the 
shared interests of the U.S. and Australia. Indeed, in every major 20th 
Century conflict--World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the 
Gulf War, Australian forces have joined American forces on the front 
lines. It is important to note that Australia's defense forces have 
cooperated and coordinated closely with the U.S. The command, control, 
and communications systems of both countries in important respects are 
integrated. Also, Australia has long been designated as one of 
America's most important non-NATO allies. Japan is the only other 
country in the Asia-Pacific region to share this distinction.
  Not only has Australia been a key ally to the U.S. in previous 
conflicts and continues to be so in this current conflict, it has been 
a stabilizing force in its neighborhood. Australia did not shirk from 
its regional responsibilities when a crisis erupted in East Timor. 
Australia stepped forward readily, early, and decisively to lead the 
multi-national peacekeeping intervention in East Timor and it remains a 
principal guarantor of security there. Australia's continued leadership 
in the Pacific will be critical following the terrorist attacks of 
September 11th as Indonesia, a neighbor and the world's most populous 
Muslim country, and the Philippines grapple with their response to the 
attacks.
  Madam Speaker, the U.S. and Australia share similar backgrounds as 
former British colonies and as destinations for huge numbers of 
immigrants who were seeking a fresh start. Freedom flourishes in both 
countries. Indeed, the U.S. and Australia are very much like close 
cousins. Now, we, as cousins, are facing a potentially long and 
complicated war in a world very different from the one which 
necessitated the ANZUS Treaty. This Member urges his colleagues to vote 
for H. Con. Res. 217 to show continued support for Australia--our 
international cousin, our friend, and our very valuable and trusted 
ally.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Resolution 217, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________