[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9608]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                CONGRATULATING THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 212, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 212) congratulating the people and 
     Government of the Republic of Slovenia on the twentieth 
     anniversary of the country's independence.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any 
statements related to the measure be printed in the Record.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 212) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 212

       Whereas, on December 23, 1990, the people of Slovenia voted 
     overwhelmingly in favor of independence from the former 
     Yugoslavia in a national referendum;
       Whereas, on June 25, 1991, the Republic of Slovenia 
     declared itself as an independent and sovereign nation;
       Whereas, on December 23, 1991, the parliament of Slovenia 
     adopted a constitution based on the rule of law, respect for 
     human rights, and democratic ideals;
       Whereas, during its 20 years of independence, Slovenia has 
     been an important United States ally in Central Europe and a 
     strong advocate of democracy, the rule of law, and the merits 
     of an open, free market economy;
       Whereas the Government of Slovenia has made important 
     contributions to international efforts to promote peace, 
     stability, and development in Southeast Europe, Afghanistan, 
     and elsewhere;
       Whereas the Government of Slovenia serves as a leader in 
     efforts to remove destructive land mines in parts of 
     Southeast Europe and in other parts of the world;
       Whereas Slovenia has become an active member of 
     international organizations, including the United Nations, 
     the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the 
     Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, the European 
     Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the 
     Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; and
       Whereas Slovenia has further consolidated its international 
     role through successful chairmanship of the Organization for 
     Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2005, and, as the first 
     new member from Central and Eastern Europe, the presidency of 
     the Council of the European Union in 2008: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate hereby--
       (1) congratulates the people and the Government of the 
     Republic of Slovenia as the country celebrates 20 years of 
     independence on June 25, 2011;
       (2) commends the people of Slovenia on the significant 
     progress made in the last 20 years;
       (3) recognizes the important role of the Slovenian 
     community in the United States to promote partnership and 
     cooperation between the two countries; and
       (4) encourages the Government of the Republic of Slovenia 
     to continue its important work in the transatlantic alliance, 
     and the efforts to further peace, stability, and prosperity 
     in Southeast Europe and elsewhere.

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