[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 628 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 628
Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the United States and Romania.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 18, 2020
Mr. Johnson (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the United States and Romania.
Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in June
1880;
Whereas, in 1997, the United States and Romania established a long-term
partnership based on the United States recognition of Romania's
strategic importance, the commitment to shared values, and a common
interest in stability and democratic progress;
Whereas Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004 and
hosts NATO's Multi-national Division Headquarters South East, a NATO
Force Integration Unit, the Multi-national Brigade South East, and the
Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System, a key element of the United States
European Phased Adaptive Approach missile defense system;
Whereas, in 2011, the United States and Romania issued the ``Joint Declaration
on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century Between the United States
of America and Romania'', reflecting increasing cooperation between the
countries and throughout the Black Sea region to promote security,
democracy, free market opportunities, and cultural exchange;
Whereas Romania continues to modernize its armed forces and is 1 of 7 NATO
members to have met its 2014 Wales Summit commitment to allocate at
least 2 percent of gross domestic product for defense spending;
Whereas the Romanian armed forces have supported NATO and United States
operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters for almost 2
decades, contributing more than 30,000 total combat and support
personnel to those missions, some of whom have made the ultimate
sacrifice;
Whereas Romania is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, provided
humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq and Syria, and is making
significant contributions to the fight against international terrorism;
Whereas, on August 20, 2019, the United States and Romania signed a memorandum
of understanding outlining a shared commitment to developing a secure
and vibrant fifth-generation wireless infrastructure based on free and
fair competition, transparency, and the rule of law--including a
rigorous evaluation of vendors;
Whereas Romania has played a leading role in the establishment of the Three Seas
Initiative and was one of the first countries to invest in the Three
Seas Initiative Investment Fund, which aims to increase energy
independence and infrastructure connectivity across Central and Eastern
Europe;
Whereas the United States and Romania have been deepening their economic
relationship through increased bilateral trade and investment, and in
2017, Romania hosted the tenth annual United States Commercial Service
Trade Winds Forum and Trade Mission, helping United States companies
boost exports across Southeast Europe;
Whereas, in 2018, as Romania celebrated its Unification Centennial, Governors
from across the United States issued Proclamations to congratulate
Romanians and Romanian-Americans on that historic milestone,
illustrating the close ties and friendship that exist between the United
States and Romania;
Whereas, in 2019, Romanians all across the United States commemorated 30 years
since Romania's liberation from the former communist regime, a powerful
reminder of the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and a celebration of
the triumphant call of freedom, liberty, and dignity;
Whereas the Romanian people have made progress in their efforts to hold their
institutions and leadership accountable in the continued fight against
high-level corruption;
Whereas Romania resides in the strategically important and increasingly
militarized Black Sea region, and has proven itself a critical security
ally in the region, including by hosting the annual NATO Sea Shield
exercise;
Whereas, during these times of unprecedented challenge caused by the COVID-19
pandemic crisis, the United States and Romania are strengthening their
partnership, such as through United States assistance with targeted
funds, strategic military airlift and medical emergency equipment, and
Romanian support for the swift repatriation of United States nationals
overseas;
Whereas, as a sign of solidarity and friendship between the people of Romania
and the United States, Romania sent its first medical and expert support
and advisory mission to Alabama, assigning 15 Romanian doctors, medical
staff, and chemical and biological risk experts to exchange best
practices and assist local COVID-19 efforts in care facilities, nursing
homes, and hospitals across the State; and
Whereas 2020 marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the United States and Romania: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) celebrates the 140th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania;
(2) applauds the Government and the people of Romania for
the significant strides they have made in governance, anti-
corruption, rule of law, economic reforms, and their continuing
pursuit of democratic, social, and economic progress;
(3) encourages the United States Government to use its
leadership in NATO to advocate for an upgraded NATO presence in
Romania, in order to better accommodate the evolving threat
environment in and around the Black Sea region; and
(4) reaffirms the enduring alliance between the United
States and Romania, based upon shared democratic values,
security partnership, and increasing economic ties.
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