In the nature of a substitute.

SA 4140. Mr. THUNE (for Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Daines))
proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 321, commemorating 30
years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam on
July 11, 2025; as follows:

Strike all after the resolved clause and insert the
following:
That the Senate--
(1) recognizes--
(A) the significance of the 30th anniversary of
normalization of the bilateral relationship between the
United States and Vietnam; and
(B) the strong and enduring relationship built by the
United States and Vietnam based on mutual respect, trust, and
a shared commitment to peace and prosperity;

[[Page S8937]]

(2) honors the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to the
United States during the past 50 years, including--
(A) their tireless commitment to strengthening ties between
the United States and Vietnam; and
(B) facilitating reconciliation and economic prosperity
between the 2 countries;
(3) honors--
(A) the service of members of the United States Armed
Forces who fought in Vietnam, including those who gave their
lives in the conflict; and
(B) United States veteran-led initiatives established and
dedicated to engaging in reconciliation efforts with the
Vietnamese people;
(4) expresses the commitment of the United States to the
sustained continuation of funding and operational support to
war legacy programs in Vietnam foundational to the bilateral
relationship, including--
(A) dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa Airport;
(B) unexploded ordnance removal;
(C) support for persons with disabilities;
(D) capacity building in provincial and national efforts on
mine action; and
(E) accounting for Vietnamese missing and fallen soldiers
from the war;
(5) acknowledges the significant progress in various areas
of bilateral cooperation, including political and diplomatic
relations, trade and economic ties, defense and security, and
people-to-people exchanges, including the United States-
supported Fulbright University, Vietnam's first independent
nonprofit higher education institution;
(6) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to
sustaining and building on the partnership officially
established in the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership in September 2023, underscored by the fundamental
principles guiding the bilateral relationship, including
respect for the United Nations Charter, international law,
and respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, and
territorial integrity; and
(7) expresses--
(A) the determination of the United States to continue
strengthening cooperation with Vietnam across sectors; and
(B) the vital importance of the bilateral relationship
between the United States and Vietnam to addressing shared
challenges and promoting continued peace and stability in the
Indo-Pacific region.
______