[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 577 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
May 11, 2004.
Whereas on May 9, 1950, a proposal that the countries of Europe, committed to
promoting a united Europe, was introduced and led to the founding in
1951 of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which has evolved
into the European Union (EU);
Whereas in November 1953 the United States sent its first diplomatic observers
to the European Coal and Steel Community;
Whereas in 1954 the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community
commissioned the United States law firm of Cleary and Gottlieb to open
an Information Office in Washington, District of Columbia, thus
establishing the first official presence of the precursor to the
European Union in the United States;
Whereas on November 18, 2003, Secretary of State Colin Powell, while in
Brussels, Belgium, dedicating a plaque commemorating 50 years of
cooperation between the United States and the European Union stated that
``the United States embraces the European Union as a global partner for
peace and security . . . and that the world's best hope for meeting
[global] challenges still rests, in large part, on a deep, broad, and
lasting partnership between Europe and the United States'';
Whereas although differences of opinion have existed on a broad array of issues
over the past 50 years, there remains an important foundation of shared
values across the Atlantic which reaffirms that the current strengths
and common interests of the United States and the European Union far
outweigh the differences;
Whereas an effective political partnership between the United States and the
European Union has continued to develop over the past 50 years in many
areas of vital common interest which has resulted in the United States
and European Union consistently and effectively working together for
prosperous, stable, and democratic world;
Whereas the events of the past several years, including the events of September
11, 2001, have increased the need for forceful and coordinated strategic
cooperation between the United States and the European Union on
economic, trade, and domestic and foreign security matters;
Whereas the economic foundations for the United States-European Union
partnership are a central and irreversible reality of the world economy;
Whereas to effectively manage the United States-European Union partnership,
closer institutional linkages and other mechanisms to facilitate more
direct and continuous United States-European Union dialogue are
necessary; and
Whereas in May 2004, an event commemorating 50 years of relations between the
United States and the European Union took place in Washington, District
of Columbia: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of relations between the United
States and the European Union;
(2) commends the United States mission to the European Union and the
mission of the European Commission to the United States for the
professional representation of the interests of the United States and
European Union over the past 50 years;
(3) recognizes that continued cooperation between the United States
and the European Union is essential to resolving international disputes,
promoting peace, expanding global economic opportunity, combating global
threats, and being prepared to respond to unforeseen events; and
(4) encourages enhanced United States-European Union strategic
discussion and institutional cooperation, including increased
discussions between representatives of the United States Congress and
the European Parliament through the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue.
Attest:
Clerk.