[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 18636-18638]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING APPRECIATION OF CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 519) expressing appreciation to the 
people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship 
and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States and 
congratulating Canada as it celebrates ``Canada Day''.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 519

       Whereas the United States has a long-cherished economic, 
     social, and political partnership with Canada;
       Whereas the United States and Canada share not only a 
     5,500-mile border, but also common ideals and cultural 
     affinities;
       Whereas in this era of heightened security, the United 
     States and Canada have renewed cooperative efforts to 
     safeguard the movement of people and goods, improve 
     information-sharing, and strengthen border infrastructure and 
     technology; and
       Whereas July 1st of each year is officially celebrated in 
     Canada as ``Canada Day'' in recognition of the anniversary of 
     the establishment of the union of the British North American 
     provinces in a federation called Canada: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its appreciation to the people and Government 
     of Canada for their long history of friendship and 
     cooperation with the

[[Page 18637]]

     people and Government of the United States; and
       (2) congratulates Canada as it celebrates its annual 
     ``Canada Day''.

                              {time}  1745

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Klein) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Let me begin by thanking the gentleman from Michigan, Bart Stupak, 
for introducing this important resolution and for his steadfast 
leadership in support of a strong U.S.-Canada relationship.
  H. Res. 519 congratulates the Canadian people and their government on 
Canada Day, the anniversary of the establishment of the union of the 
British North American provinces in a federation called Canada. It also 
expresses the appreciation of both the people and the Government of the 
United States for the longstanding cooperation and shared history with 
their Canadian counterparts. This provides an important opportunity for 
all Americans to recognize the common ideals and beliefs that unite our 
two nations economically, socially and politically.
  Canada's sacrifices in Afghanistan are only the latest examples of 
the strong bond between our two nations. Since their initial deployment 
in 2002, Canadian troops have worked tirelessly to maintain security 
and to rebuild in Afghanistan, particularly in Kandahar province.
  Canada has also been a leader in the global effort to promote a 
solution to worldwide carbon reduction, an issue which affects us all 
and which draws us even closer together as nations that share a common 
border. Canada's plan to reduce carbon emissions and their work through 
the United Nations' Framework Convention On Climate Change has been a 
significant step in the right direction.
  The recent negotiations that took place between Canada and the United 
States concerning the water quality in the Great Lakes region further 
solidifies the bond between us as we must work collectively to improve 
the condition of that shared natural resource.
  My district in south Florida benefits from a strong U.S.-Canadian 
relationship. Canada is Florida's top trading partner, and it is 
Florida's number one source of inbound tourism. According to a recent 
Canadian Government study, the Canada-Florida relationship is 
responsible for 432,000 direct and indirect jobs in Florida, 
representing 5.4 percent of all of Florida's employment.
  This resolution advances the continued partnership that the United 
States hopes to maintain with the Canadian people and with their 
government. I would like to extend my personal congratulations and 
gratitude to the Canadian people, and I would urge all of my colleagues 
to do the same by supporting H. Res. 519.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 519. I am 
happy to be one of the cosponsors, but it was introduced by my good 
friend and colleague, Bart Stupak, expressing appreciation to Canada 
for its long history of friendship with the United States and 
congratulating Canada on its celebration of Canada Day.
  Canada Day, otherwise known as ``Canada's birthday,'' celebrates the 
1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which united Canada as 
a confederation of four provinces. One of our closest friends and 
allies, I would like to thank the people of Canada and the government 
for their friendship and steadfast support of this country over many, 
many years.
  The relationship between the U.S. and Canada is among the closest and 
most extensive in the world. Our two countries maintain the world's 
largest trading relationship, exchanging the equivalent of $1.5 billion 
in goods each day. Canada is the single largest foreign supplier of 
energy to the U.S., including oil, uranium, natural gas, and 
electricity. In 2008, the U.S. imported energy from Canada worth $111 
billion, and every day about 300,000 people cross our shared border.
  In both the First and Second World Wars, we fought on the same side 
against tyranny and fought for freedom and peace and against threats to 
international security. When the U.S. was faced with the horrors of 9/
11, Canada, who also lost lives in the attack, stood by our side. In 
Afghanistan, Canada is our key NATO ally and is the leading contributor 
of combat forces to the alliances' International Security Assistance 
Force. The friendship and partnership between the countries is warm and 
enduring, and this resolution tries to recognize that, so I thank Mr. 
Stupak for authoring it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I request just 1 minute of time to close.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to thank Mr. Stupak. Also having 
grown up in Cleveland, Ohio, and right over the border from Canada, I 
had the opportunity to spend many great years visiting.
  I would also like to acknowledge the consul general from Miami, Marcy 
Grossman, who I had the opportunity to visit with recently before she 
left to return.
  This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our two countries on 
this special Canada Day.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for H. Res. 519 and join with our neighbors to the North in 
celebration of Canada Day.
  On July 1st, 1867, the British North America Act went into effect, 
officially uniting the British North American colonies into one self-
governing federation called Canada.
  Earlier this month, Canadians across North America celebrated the 
anniversary of their country's birth, their long tradition of 
democracy, and their national achievements.
  The United States shares in the celebration of this special day 
because we have strong economic, political and cultural ties with 
Canada.
  Washington State's 2nd Congressional District, which I represent, 
contains over 60 miles of our common border with Canada. As a member of 
the Northern Border Caucus, I view our partnership with Canada as one 
that is vital to both of our countries' national security and economic 
prosperity.
  With nearly $600 billion in goods and millions of people crossing the 
border each year, Canada is not only the United States' largest trading 
partner, but also a key international ally.
  In addition to sharing a common border that spans more than 5,500 
miles, the United States and Canada share a deep commitment to 
democratic principles. It is because of this commitment that our 
governments have worked so closely to address the common challenges we 
face, such as narcotics and terrorism. And it is in defense of these 
same democratic principles that our servicemen and women have fought 
side by side in Afghanistan and throughout the world.
  I congratulate Canada on the occasion of the 142nd Canada Day and I 
look forward to celebrating with them for many years to come.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 519, Expressing appreciation to the people and Government of 
Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation and 
congratulating Canada as it celebrates Canada Day. I'm proud to be an 
original cosponsor of this resolution, and I'd like to thank my good 
friend Bart Stupak for offering it.
  On July 1st, 1867 with the enactment of the British North America 
Act, Canada was united as a single country. Over the next 142 years, 
Canada has become one of our closest friends, our largest trading 
partner and a steadfast ally.
  And in the wake of 9/11, Canada has been a stalwart partner, sending 
troops to Afghanistan as part of the NATO coalition. They have stood 
shoulder to shoulder with us as we conduct our difficult mission to rid 
Afghanistan of the Taliban and give the Afghanis hope for a life free 
from tyranny and repression.

[[Page 18638]]

  Our Canadian friends have been vital as we work to secure the 
homeland on our shared waterways and long land borders. Cooperation is 
the key to securing the homeland along the Northern Border, and I'm 
pleased to say that we have a great partner in Canada.
  In southeast Michigan, cross-border communities symbolize the 
relationship we share with our Canadian neighbors. Detroit, Michigan 
and Windsor, Ontario jointly celebrate Canada Day and the United 
States' Independence Day with the International River Days.
  This festival lasts several weeks, culminating in one of the largest 
and most spectacular fireworks displays in North America.
  I want to wish our neighbors and friends in Canada a happy and 
prosperous Canada Day.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by 
thanking Congressman Bart Stupak, for introducing this legislation. 
Every year on July 1st, I look forward to officially celebrating the 
establishment of Canada and all of its wonderful accomplishments. 
Canada has proven to be one of our nation's most trusted allies and as 
a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I personally work closely 
with Canadian officials to ensure the 5,500-mile border that we share 
remains secure. In this era of heightened security, the United States 
and Canada have renewed cooperative efforts to safeguard the movement 
of people and goods, improve information-sharing, and strengthen border 
infrastructure and technology across the border.
  In a world in which too many nations still choose conflict over 
cooperation, and erect barriers instead of bridges, the U.S.-Canadian 
partnership has been and must ever be a model for others, and the 
foundation on which to build a common future. Indeed, our relationship 
is centered on a shared continent, shared values, shared aspirations, 
and real respect for our differences.
  Over the years, our nations have forged the most comprehensive ties 
of any two nations on Earth. They bind not only our governments, but 
also our economies, our cultures, and our people. From NORAD to NAFTA, 
Canadians and Americans have seized opportunities to provide for our 
common security and prosperity. We've tackled tough problems from acid 
rain and water pollution to differences over beer and grain in the 
spirit of friendship and in pragmatism.
  Addressing the Canadian parliament 50 years ago, President Truman 
declared that the success of the U.S.-Canadian relationship was due to 
``one part proximity, and nine parts goodwill and common sense.'' 
Goodwill and common sense remain the foundation of our friendship.
  In Texas, the territory of the Consulate General in Dallas and the 
Canadian Consulate in Houston encompasses five states with over 36 
million people. Bilateral trade with the region is over $30 billion 
each year; therefore I am very aware of how important a strong trade 
relationship is for both countries.
  Specifically the cities of Alberta and Houston share a number of 
distinguishing features which make them sister cities. Over the past 10 
years Alberta has had the strongest economy in Canada, with an average 
rate of growth of 3.7 per cent per year, while Houston continues to 
thrive as the energy capital of the United States. Canada is the U.S.'s 
most important trading partner, with over $570 billion dollars in goods 
and services being traded between the two countries in 2006. Canada and 
the U.S. enjoy an interdependent energy relationship, trading oil, 
natural gas, coal, and electricity. Canada has a reported 178.8 billion 
barrels of oil reserves as of 2006, second only to Saudi Arabia. Over 
95% of these reserves are in oil sands deposits in Alberta. Moreover, 
Canadian oil sands in Alberta have made Canada the largest exporter of 
oil to the U.S. and has helped alleviate our dependence on foreign 
sources of oil from parts of the world which geopolitically face much 
more risk than our neighbor to the North. Recent proposals by Canadian 
companies such as Enbridge and Altex to build oil pipelines from 
Alberta to Houston seem very promising, and I look forward to the 
progress they make. These 2,000-mile pipelines, which are targeted to 
be in service by 2010, will send over 500,000 barrels of oil per day.
  I would like to congratulate Canada on its many accomplishments over 
the years and remain appreciative to the people and Government of 
Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the 
people and Government of the United States.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 519.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  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.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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