[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               WELCOMING THE PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 491, S. Res. 
344.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 344) welcoming the Prime Minister of 
     Singapore on the occasion of his visit to the United States, 
     expressing gratitude to the Government of Singapore for its 
     support in the reconstruction of Iraq and its strong 
     cooperation with the United States in the campaign against 
     terrorism, and reaffirming the commitment of the Senate to 
     the continued expansion of friendship and cooperation between 
     the United States and Singapore.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table en bloc, and any statements relating thereto be 
printed in the Record, with no intervening action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 344) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 344

       Whereas the United States and Singapore have a strong and 
     enduring friendship;
       Whereas the United States and Singapore share a common 
     vision in ensuring the continued peace, stability, and 
     prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region;
       Whereas Singapore is a member of the coalition for the 
     reconstruction of Iraq and is a strong supporter of the 
     efforts of the coalition to stabilize and rebuild Iraq;
       Whereas Singapore is a steadfast partner with the United 
     States in the global campaign against terrorism and has 
     worked closely with the United States to fight terrorism 
     around the world;
       Whereas Singapore is a core member of the Proliferation 
     Security Initiative and is committed to preventing the 
     proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
       Whereas Singapore has provided valuable support to the 
     United States Armed Forces, including permitting such Forces 
     to use the state-of-the-art Changi Naval Base;
       Whereas Singapore is the 11th largest trading partner of 
     the United States;
       Whereas Singapore was the first country in Asia to enter 
     into a free trade agreement with the United States;
       Whereas Singapore, which has one of the busiest ports in 
     the world, was the first country in Asia to join the 
     Container Security Initiative (CSI), a key initiative of the 
     United States Customs Service that is designed to prevent 
     terrorist attacks through the use of cargo;
       Whereas Singapore is a leader in biological research, has 
     established a regional Emerging Diseases Intervention Center, 
     and is leading efforts to respond to new health threats, 
     including emerging diseases and the use of biological agents;
       Whereas the relationship between the United States and 
     Singapore is reinforced by strong ties of culture, values, 
     commerce, and scientific cooperation; and
       Whereas relationship and international cooperation between 
     the United States and Singapore is important and valuable to 
     both countries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) welcomes the Prime Minister of Singapore, His 
     Excellency Goh Chok Tong, to the United States;
       (2) expresses profound gratitude to the Government of 
     Singapore for its assistance in Iraq and its support in the 
     global campaign against terrorism; and
       (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
     continued expansion of friendship and cooperation between the 
     United States and Singapore.

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