Recognizing the special relationship and historic ties between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1303) recognizing the close friendship and historical ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of this resolution that recognizes the special relationship and historical ties between the United Kingdom and the United States. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my good friend, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart from Florida, for introducing this measure.

The United Kingdom and the United States have a long history born of shared values and experiences. British legal and philosophical traditions have greatly influenced American practices while both our nations remain committed to human rights, rule of law, and good governance. Our economies are deeply intertwined, as became particularly evident during the global financial crisis. Indeed, Britain is the largest single investor in our economy, while we are the largest source of foreign direct investment in theirs.

Our two nations also share a proud military history. British and American soldiers have stood shoulder to shoulder throughout the major conflicts of the last 100 years. Together we confronted the challenges of Nazism and communism, while today we are fighting together against the scourge of international terrorism. We remain grateful for Britain's active participation in the military and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In recent months, some in Britain have begun to question this ``special relationship,'' a phrase coined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1945. As is in the case of all relationships, the dynamic link between the U.S. and the U.K. has evolved over time. However, it is clear that our relationship is unique, vitally important and must continue to be nurtured. The United Kingdom remains an essential ally, a valuable partner and a true friend. All British Prime Ministers and American Presidents have forged effective working relationships in order to confront together the challenges facing the present day.

On May 6, just a little while ago, the British people went to the polls. Yesterday we watched the political drama unfold as a coalition agreement was reached between the Conservative and Liberal Democratic Parties. The United States congratulates and stands ready to foster a strong relationship with Britain's new Prime Minister, David Cameron. This postelection period is an opportune moment to reflect upon the strong ties that bind our nations, to celebrate our friendship, and to recommit ourselves to continued cooperation in the future. Much work needs to be done, and the United States has no better partner in the world than the United Kingdom.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield 30 seconds to myself to say that anyone who has gone to the United Kingdom, you feel this special relationship as we mentioned on both sides of the aisle. You feel the camaraderie and you do feel the special bond. I would say tongue in cheek, if we look at the British coalition together, they put together a coalition of liberal Democrats and conservatives; and I would say to the gentlewoman from Florida, if we could do that more often, we may learn a lot more from the British.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I am so pleased to rise in enthusiastic support of this important resolution, authored by my Florida colleague, the gentleman, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. This resolution recognizes the unsurpassed friendship and abiding special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

Throughout the history of our alliance and our friendship, we have stood by each other with a level of military, economic and diplomatic commitment and coordination of such an unparalleled extent that it has even been referred to as the ``special relationship.'' The United Kingdom has been a true friend of the United States even to the extraordinary measures of sharing and even jointly operating military bases overseas and being one of the few NATO allies in Afghanistan without restrictions on its troops' ability to engage in combat operations.

The United Kingdom has also been a significant partner in efforts to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapons capability and has led efforts to convince the EU to adopt strong sanctions against the Iranian regime. Further, our economic bilateral relationship is without comparison as our nations' common sense of entrepreneurship and strong belief in free market principles has fostered extraordinary levels of trade and resulted in each country being the largest investor in the other's economy.

In recent years, there has been some debate about the state of this special relationship and whether it is as solid today as it was in the days of President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill or in the days of President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. I am, indeed, concerned that some members in each of the three major British political parties have asserted a need to reevaluate our special relationship, siting their perception that the United States has already begun to back away from its close relationship toward the United Kingdom.

I believe, however, Mr. Speaker, that the special nature of our relationship is not solely dependent upon the level of camaraderie between our political leaders at any given time. It is, instead, based on the bedrock ideals of democracy, of economic liberty, and respect for the rule of law that we both share.

As with all close allies, it is incumbent upon both parties to continually work to improve and to strengthen the relationship, but I think that there is something of substance in our two countries' relationship, something based on those shared principles and cultural connections that endures.

With passage of this resolution, Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives will send a strong message of our commitment to that special relationship with our closest ally across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I am now very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my good friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), the ranking member on the Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process and the author of the resolution before us.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield myself 30 seconds to point out that today, on the first day in office of a new British Government, let us send to Prime Minister David Cameron and to the people of the United Kingdom a clear message of our friendship and our commitment to this special relationship. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this important measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank my dear friend Ms. Ros- Lehtinen and also my friend Mr. Engel for their help in getting this resolution to the floor and their strong support of this important resolution.

I take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister, David Cameron, as he, as head of the Conservative Party, forms a new government with the Liberal Democrats. We wish him and all of the British people all the best. It's important that we in Congress take the time to recognize that great friend and ally of the United States. It is important that we recognize the special friendship and all that the United Kingdom has done to stand with the United States.

This resolution recognizes the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. It points out the strong influence that English philosophers, economists, jurists and other leaders have had on American political thought, on the United States legal system and on our government. This strong special relationship, founded on our shared history, continues into the modern day. The United Kingdom has repeatedly demonstrated the strength of its camaraderie with the United States.

Within the last decade, the United Kingdom joined forces with us against the Taliban as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, and U.K. soldiers have fought alongside American soldiers in Iraq. The United Kingdom has suffered a tragic loss of life as a result. As of March, 273 U.K. military and civilian personnel have given their lives in Afghanistan, and 179 have given the last full measure of devotion in Iraq.

I am very proud, Mr. Speaker, to have introduced this resolution, highlighting the strong ties that bind our countries together. The United Kingdom is a great friend and ally of the United States. Reflecting on our relationship, Winston Churchill said, ``In this century of storm and tragedy, I contemplate with high satisfaction the constant factor of the interwoven and upward progress of our peoples. Our comradeship and our brotherhood in war were unexampled. We stood together, and because of that fact, the free world now stands. Nor has our partnership any exclusive nature: the Atlantic community is a dream that can well be fulfilled to the detriment of none and to the enduring benefit and honor of the great democracies.''

During the most trying times in the history of the United States, we have had no truer friend than the United Kingdom. I sincerely hope that our futures will continue to reflect our histories, deepen our friendship and continually refresh our commitment to the shared values of the rule of law and democratic principles. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important and, I believe, timely resolution.