June 11, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 108 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ROMANIA; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 108
(Extensions of Remarks - June 11, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E528-E529] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ROMANIA ______ HON. DEVIN NUNES of california in the house of representatives Thursday, June 11, 2020 Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, I rise along with Representatives Mike Conaway, Michael Turner, Brad Wenstrup, Chris Stewart, Rick Crawford, Elise Stefanik, and Will Hurd, to celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania. Whereas, the United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in June 1880; Whereas, the United States regards Romania as an important ally in Central and Southeast Europe, which is setting an example of steady commitment to democratic leadership, national and transatlantic security, and economic development; Whereas, the United States and Romania have developed a strategic partnership built on longstanding friendship, historical ties and a joint promise to advancing the security and prosperity of their citizens and communities; Whereas, the United States recognizes and appreciates Romania's lasting efforts to modernize its armed forces and meet its NATO burden- sharing commitments as one of the leading NATO members to allocate 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense spending; Whereas, the Romanian Armed Forces have supported NATO and United States operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theatres for almost two decades, contributing more than 30,000 total combat and support personnel to those missions, fighting alongside U.S. service members, and helping to protect vital security interests; Whereas, Romania as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS has deployed military trainers to train Iraqi Security Forces, provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq arid Syria, and is making remarkable efforts to support combatting international terrorism, including through critical intelligence sharing with Coalition partners; Whereas, Romania has been a leading nation in providing cybersecurity support to NATO and its partners, and the first country to have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Government on the secure implementation of fifth generation wireless communications (5G) technology aimed at protecting critical security infrastructure from disruption and interference; Whereas, Romania has been a driving force leading to the establishment of the Three Seas Initiative, and one of the first countries to invest in the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund, which aims at increasing energy independence and infrastructure connectivity across Central Europe thereby strengthening the United States and European security; Whereas, Romania has been a champion of energy security in Europe, supporting the U.S. Government's Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) initiative as leading partner on civil nuclear energy, helping to develop the next generation of nuclear technologies, and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Government on strategic civil nuclear cooperation; Whereas, the United States and Romania have been deepening their economic relationship through increased bilateral trade and investment, and Romania in 2017 hosted the tenth annual U.S. Commercial Service Trade Winds Forum and Trade Mission, helping American companies boost exports across Southeast Europe; Whereas, the Governments of the United States and Romania are working closely together to develop an ambitious bilateral economic, trade, and investment agenda, including through driving a record attendance over the past three consecutive years by more than 50 Romanian companies to the United States SelectUSA Summit; Whereas, in 2018, as Romania celebrated its Unification Centennial, Governors from almost all 50 U.S. States issued Proclamations to congratulate Romanians and Romanian-Americans on that historic milestone, illustrating the close ties and friendship that exist between our nations and our people; Whereas, during the first half of 2019 Romania conducted its first Presidency of the Council of the European Union and promoted a successful agenda advancing important U.S.-EU goals such as energy security, intellectual property, human rights and regional cooperation across the Balkans and the Black Sea area; Whereas, in 2019 Romanians all across America 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, over more than a century successive generations of Romanian- Americans have contributed their resources of talent and entrepreneurship to American progress, and their rich cultural heritage represents a most precious feature of the American society; Whereas, during these times of unprecedented challenge caused by the Covid-19 pandemic crisis the United States and Romania are strengthening their partnership, helping each other in meaningful ways such as U.S. assistance with targeted funds and medical emergency equipment, and Romanian support for the swift repatriation of U.S. nationals overseas, and working together to enhance their mutual security and economic recovery and prosperity; Whereas, as a sign of solidarity and friendship between the Romanian and the American people, Romania has sent its first medical and expert support and advisory mission to the State of 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 Alabama, thus strengthening our mutual capabilities to fight the virus pandemic and protect the health and lives of our citizens; Whereas, 2020 marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) celebrates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania and congratulates Romania and the Romanian people for their historic achievements as a nation and their steadfast pursuit of democratic, political, social and economic progress; (2) reaffirms the close bonds between the United States and Romania, based on their common commitment to the values of freedom, liberal democracy, rule of law and economic prosperity; (3) recognizes and appreciates Romania's principled standing for transatlantic unity and solidarity, and its leadership and contribution to advancing close U.S.-EU relations; (4) calls on the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government to continue to strengthen the strategic partnership between the United [[Page E529]] States and Romania and to find new ways to leverage, support and develop the friendship and cooperation between our two nations. ____________________