[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 156 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 156
Honoring the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Guam and the
Republic of the Philippines under the State Partnership Program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 24, 2025
Mr. Moylan submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Honoring the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Guam and the
Republic of the Philippines under the State Partnership Program.
Whereas, on July 4, 1946, the United States and the Philippines have maintained
enduring diplomatic relations, founded on the basis of security and
economic interests, alongside close bonds between our two nations;
Whereas the State Partnership Program supports the security cooperation
objectives of the United States by carrying out activities to strengthen
partner capacity and enhance United States relations, while increasing
the readiness of the United States and partner forces to meet evolving
security challenges in the Indo-Pacific;
Whereas, since February 18, 2000, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam
National Guard have maintained an enduring partnership under the State
Partnership Program;
Whereas the United States Indo-Pacific Command, serving as the primary
Geographic Combatant Command for the Guam National Guard and the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, has provided oversight and support for the
State Partnership Program;
Whereas the Philippines was the first established USPACOM partner country in
collaboration with Guam and Hawaii;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam National Guard's State
Partnership Program aims to foster regional friendship, strengthen
mutual understanding, and promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific;
Whereas, over the past 25 years, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the
Guam National Guard have collaborated in joint training exercises,
including disaster risk management and emergency response, and critical
infrastructure projects, and in recent years, the Guam National Guard
has provided the Armed Forces of the Philippines with information on
Guam's Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program in order to assist the
Armed Forces of the Philippines in crafting its own program;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam National Guard's State
Partnership Program enables a strengthened United States military
presence in the Philippines through the increased rotation of United
States military personnel and assistance devoted to strengthening the
territorial defense and humanitarian and maritime operations of the
Philippines;
Whereas, from June 6-10 2024, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam
National Guard's State Partnership Program conducted a joint mass-
casualty field training exercise;
Whereas, on June 15, 2023, Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
conducted a joint mass-casualty exercise with the Guam National Guard's
State Partnership Program on Mactan Island, Philippines;
Whereas, on September 14, 2014, a turnover ceremony was held for infrastructures
devasted by natural disasters and subsequently rebuilt through the joint
efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Guam National Guard,
and the Hawaii National Guard, under the State Partnership Program;
Whereas these exercises have strategic value for the United States and the
Philippines, increase confidence in the alliance, and provide
opportunities for operational cooperation to advance shared security
priorities;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam National Guard's State
Partnership Program serves as a deterrent against increasing aggression
by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea;
Whereas the 25th anniversary of this partnership serves as a testament to the
success of the State Partnership Program in enhancing United States-
Philippine relations, promoting regional security, and ensuring our
shared commitment of a free and open Indo-Pacific; and
Whereas the Republic of the Philippines has been recognized with awards for
joint military operations carried out in cooperation with the United
States, and acts of heroism and service: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the cooperation and beneficial relationship
between the Republic of the Philippines and the State of Guam
and the steadfast partnership between the Republic of the
Philippines and the United States over the past 25 years
through the State Partnership Program;
(2) expresses appreciation for the commitment of the Armed
Forces of the Republic of the Philippines to the Guam National
Guard in advancing peace, stability, and mutual understanding;
(3) expresses continued support for the State Partnership
Program between the Territory of Guam and the Republic of the
Philippines;
(4) commends the Republic of the Philippines for increasing
its cooperation in regional security, including collaboration
that may enhance regional defense posture;
(5) highlights the strengths of defense cooperation,
capability development, and the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with
the Philippines; and
(6) expresses support for possible State Partnership
Programs between the Republic of the Philippines and other
States and Territories of the United States, to bolster the
efforts of the State Partnership Program between the territory
of Guam and the Republic of the Philippines.
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