[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 24239-24242]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE 
                       UNITED STATES AND BULGARIA

  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

[[Page 24240]]

the resolution (H. Res. 355) commemorating the 100th anniversary of 
diplomatic relations between the United States and Bulgaria.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 355

       Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations 
     with the Republic of Bulgaria on September 19, 1903;
       Whereas the United States acknowledges the courage of the 
     Bulgarian people in deciding to pursue a free democratic and 
     independent Bulgaria and their steadfast perseverance in 
     building a society based on the rule of law, respect for 
     human rights, and a free market economy;
       Whereas Bulgaria has promoted stability in the Balkans by 
     rendering support to Operation Allied Force and Operation 
     Joint Guardian led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO), and by providing peacekeeping troops to Stabilisation 
     Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina, and to Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Kosovo;
       Whereas Bulgaria was among the very first countries to 
     denounce terrorism and pledge active support to the United 
     States in the fight against terrorism following the events of 
     September 11, 2001;
       Whereas Bulgaria provided overflight and basing rights at 
     the town of Bourgas for Operation Enduring Freedom, 
     representing the first stationing of foreign forces in 
     Bulgaria since World War II, and Bulgaria deployed a nuclear, 
     biological, and chemical protection detachment to Afghanistan 
     as part of the International Security Assistance Force 
     (ISAF);
       Whereas Bulgaria has stood firmly by the United States in 
     the cause of advancing freedom worldwide during its tenure as 
     a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security 
     Council;
       Whereas Bulgaria agreed to each request of the United 
     States and offered overflight and basing rights as well as 
     transit of United States and coalition forces, and deployed a 
     500-man infantry battalion as part of a stabilization force 
     in Iraq;
       Whereas Bulgaria was recently invited to join NATO and has 
     shown determination in enacting the continued reforms 
     necessary to be a productive, contributing member of the 
     Alliance;
       Whereas Bulgaria strongly supports the strengthening of the 
     trans-Atlantic link and considers it a basis for NATO unity 
     and cooperation in countering new threats to global security; 
     and
       Whereas the Senate has recently given its consent with 96 
     votes to 0 for the ratification of the accession protocols of 
     Bulgaria and six other aspirant countries from Central and 
     Eastern Europe to NATO, thereby welcoming their contribution 
     to common Euro-Atlantic security: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the Republic Of Bulgaria for developing 
     increasingly friendly and meaningful relations with the 
     United States over the past 100 years;
       (2) recognizes the continued contributions of Bulgaria 
     toward bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to the 
     region of South Eastern Europe, including its contributions 
     to regional security and democratic stability;
       (3) salutes the willing cooperation of Bulgaria and its 
     increasingly vital role as a valuable ally in the war against 
     international terrorism; and
       (4) encourages opportunities for greater cooperation 
     between the United States and Bulgaria in the political, 
     military, economic, and cultural spheres.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, this Member rises today in strong support of H. Res. 
355, a resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic 
relations between the United States and Bulgaria. This Member would 
like to commend the distinguished gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Wilson) for introducing this resolution. The gentleman's efforts have 
been crucial in recognizing and promoting the important relationship 
between Bulgaria and the United States. Indeed, his involvement and 
knowledge about Bulgaria go back more than a decade.
  The United States established diplomatic relations with Bulgaria on 
September 19, 1903. Two weeks ago, a celebration was held in Sofia 
marking this occasion. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Bulgarian 
people have made historic and courageous decisions and sacrifices in 
support of their desire to be a strong, diplomatic, and democratic 
member of Europe and a faithful ally and good friend of the United 
States.

                              {time}  1600

  Secretary of State Colin Powell recently stated that relations 
between Bulgaria and the United States are the best they have ever been 
in all of the past 100 years.
  Indeed, Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly important strategic 
partner. Bulgaria has promoted stability and peace in Southeast Europe 
by supporting the NATO-led operations Allied Force and Joint Guardian 
in the Balkans. Bulgaria has also provided peacekeeping forces to SFOR 
in Bosnia and KFOR in Kosovo.
  After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Bulgaria was among the very 
first countries to denounce terrorism and pledge active support to the 
United States in the fight against terrorism by supporting Operation 
Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, 
in Afghanistan.
  Bulgaria has supported Coalition operations in Iraq and is presently 
providing 500 infantry soldiers to the Iraq stabilization force. 
Furthermore, in a truly historic achievement, Bulgaria was invited to 
join NATO at the Prague Summit in November of last year. And Bulgaria 
has stood firmly with the United States in the cause of advancing 
freedom worldwide during its present term as a nonpermanent member of 
the United Nations Security Council.
  President Bush recently stated, ``Americans have always considered 
the Bulgarian people to be our friends, and we will be proud to call 
you,'' meaning the Bulgarian people, ``our allies.''
  Madam Speaker, this Member wholeheartedly agrees with President Bush: 
Bulgaria has proven to be an active and contributing partner and a de 
facto ally. And this resolution affirms this important relationship on 
occasion of the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Bulgarian diplomatic 
relations.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, this Member urges my colleagues to support 
this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. First, I 
would like to commend my colleagues, the gentleman from South Carolina 
(Mr. Wilson), the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), and the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher) for their leadership on 
this resolution. With this resolution we celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between 
Bulgaria and the United States of America.
  Our two countries were drawn together by our common interests at the 
beginning of the 20th century. And now, as we begin the 21st century, 
our two nations are, again, drawn closer together by common goals and 
common values.
  With strong congressional support, Madam Speaker, Bulgaria has been 
invited to become a member of NATO, a concept that just a few years ago 
would have appeared like a dream to most Bulgarians. This significant 
move marks a milestone in our relationship, and will undoubtedly 
strengthen our bilateral ties for the indefinite future.
  Just this year, Madam Speaker, Bulgaria stepped forward when our 
government asked for Bulgaria's assistance in Iraq. That assistance 
came at a critical time when so many of our traditional allies 
abandoned us. And the American Government and the American people are 
grateful to Bulgaria for shouldering, along with us, responsibilities 
in Iraq.
  The past century of U.S.-Bulgarian relations has not been without 
difficulties. But even in the darkest of those times, the fundamental 
humanity and decency of ordinary Bulgarians shone through.
  During the worst days of World War II, the Bulgarian people did not 
yield to Nazi German pressure to enforce anti-Jewish legislation, and 
they resisted German orders to deport their Jewish citizens to Nazi 
extermination

[[Page 24241]]

camps. Their efforts, Madam Speaker, resulted in preventing the 
expulsion and death of some 50,000 Bulgarian Jews in 1943. It was a 
tragedy that some 11,000 Jews in Trace and Macedonia, under Bulgarian 
Government administration, but not Bulgarian citizens, were deported to 
concentration camps and perished there.
  When we celebrate this historic recognition of a century of 
Bulgarian-American relations, we must look forward to the future as 
well as back to the past. Over the last decade, Bulgaria has moved into 
the ranges of the world's democracies and it has become increasingly 
integrated into the global economy.
  Our two governments now find that our national interests bring us to 
the same positions on critical international political, economic and 
social issues. We are completing the steps that will firmly bind our 
two nations as allies in NATO, committed to the defense of each other 
and of other democratic states in Europe and elsewhere.
  We are partners in economic integration and we welcome Bulgaria's 
efforts to join the European Union and take the steps that will bring 
greater economic prosperity to the Bulgarian people.
  Madam Speaker, I welcome this historic celebration of the ties 
between our two countries and our two peoples. And I urge all of my 
colleagues to support the passage of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I commend the distinguished gentleman 
from California (Mr. Lantos) for his excellent statement.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina 
(Mr. Wilson), the author of the resolution.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to be 
here today with the Congressman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter). I am so 
proud of his service as the chairman of the U.S. House delegation to 
NATO. And currently, of course, he is the chairman of the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly. He has a great vision of expanding democracy in 
Central and Eastern Europe.
  And, of course, the ranking member of the Committee on International 
Relations, my next-door neighbor, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos), I am so proud of his association on this bill. And he, being 
of Hungarian heritage, has played a key role in promoting democracy 
again in Central and Eastern Europe. He is just a real champion. And I 
am honored to be with both of these gentlemen today.
  My interest in the particular resolution, which is to commend 100 
years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the 
Republic of Bulgaria, really is a culmination of a lifelong dream that 
I have had.
  My motivation to become involved in the political process was out of 
concern for a strong national defense. And, particularly, I grew up in 
the era of the Cold War and concern about the potential for nuclear 
annihilation between the two superpowers at that time.
  I had hoped with peace through strength, as established by President 
Ronald Reagan, that we could achieve a liberation of the people of 
formerly totalitarian Communist countries. Of course, that came to 
culmination on November 9, 1989, with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  Right after that, there were movements throughout Central and Eastern 
Europe to establish democratic governments. And I volunteered, through 
the Republican National Committee, to work with the International 
Republican Institute to be an election observer in one of the upcoming 
elections that was to be held.
  I am very grateful that my long-time friend, Lee Atwater, the late 
Lee Atwater, who was chairman of the Republican National Committee, 
along with his executive director, Mary Matalin, placed me on the 
delegation to go to Bulgaria for the elections of June 10, 1990, which 
were the first democratic elections since the late 1930s to be existent 
in Bulgaria.
  The moment I got there, I was so impressed by the people that I met, 
I felt like I was in a circumstance frozen in time, the economy that I 
saw, the infrastructure that I saw, was that of the 1930s. But the 
people had a wonderful spirit, and they were obviously very talented. I 
felt from the beginning that they would evolve into a strong democratic 
society.
  I then had the opportunity, working with our local Rotary Clubs, 
Kiwanis, Optimist Clubs, Lions Clubs, to provide for the ability of a 
member of the newly elected National Assembly of Bulgaria, Stefan 
Stoyanov, to come and observe the elections in South Carolina in 1990. 
He subsequently has been named as currently the ambassador from 
Bulgaria to Greece.
  Additionally, I worked with the Free Congress Foundation and visited 
Sofia with the Kreible Institute to meet with members of the National 
Assembly of the Democratic Union to explain to them how to work in a 
parliamentary system from my experience in the State Senate of South 
Carolina.
  Then I have been working with municipal officials to come and visit 
the United States, and South Carolina in particular, to learn the 
democratic process. I have also worked with the Sister City Program. We 
are very proud that Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is the 
sister city of Plovdiv in Bulgaria, the second largest city of 
Bulgaria, a very historic city.
  The evolution has just been terrific for the people of Bulgaria. They 
have really lived up to and fulfilled my hopes and dreams for them.
  I was very pleased last year, working with the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Tauscher) to help establish the Bulgarian Caucus to 
promote even better relations. We have been so fortunate with the 
leadership of Ambassador Elena Poptodorova to be able to, indeed, 
establish relationships between the National Assembly of Bulgaria and 
the Congress of the United States.
  We have had the opportunity to visit and have visiting us President 
Georgi Parvanov of Bulgaria; the Prime Minister, Simeon Saxe Coburg 
Gotha; the Foreign Minister, Solomon Passy. We have had a number of 
members of the National Assembly come to visit and observe Congress.
  The highlight of this is coming next week. I am very pleased that 
next week Professor Dr. Ognyan Gerdjikov, the Speaker of the National 
Assembly of Bulgaria, will be visiting the United States; and for the 
first time in history, the Speakers of both the United States and 
Bulgaria will be meeting. Our Speaker, Dennis Hastert, will be meeting 
with the Speaker Gerdjikov. And then we will be having a reception that 
we will invite all Members of Congress to attend next Thursday evening 
here at the Capitol.
  It is an honor to be here. I urge support for the resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 355 to 
celebrate a century of strong diplomatic relations with Bulgaria.
  Bulgaria has more than 1,300 years of history, culture and tradition 
in Western Civilization. Its ancient forefathers were the Thracians, 
whom Herodotus described as the second largest tribe in the Ancient 
world. And its unique ethnic identity, religion, and culture remain 
vibrant, even after five centuries under the rule of the Ottoman Empire 
and another two centuries under Byzantine rule.
  In modern times as in ancient ones, Bulgaria has been torn by 
conflict. The nation gained full independence from the Ottoman Empire 
in 1878, and its people suffered through the first and second Balkan 
Wars in the early part of the 20th century. Even as the nation fell 
behind the Iron Curtain after World War II and gained a reputation as 
the Soviet Union's staunchest ally in the Warsaw Pact, our two nations 
still maintained diplomatic ties throughout the most difficult periods 
of the Cold War.
  Madam Speaker, today U.S. relations with Bulgaria have never been 
stronger. Since 1989, Bulgaria has transformed into a vibrant democracy 
and market economy. Our two nations have become steadfast partners in 
business and industry. Our strong ties to Bulgarian culture and 
education are invaluable and have proven mutually beneficial to both 
countries. On behalf of my constituents in Northwest Chicago, including 
more than 1,500 of Bulgarian descent, I applaud this centennial of 
diplomatic relations and look forward to continuing strengthened 
partnerships.

[[Page 24242]]


  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I urge support for the resolution. I 
have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capito). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 355.
  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.

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