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93–389PDF 2004

RECOGNIZING 50 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN

THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THE

EUROPEAN UNION

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

ON

H. Res. 577

APRIL 28, 2004

Serial No. 108–81

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations 

(II)

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman 

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa 

DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey, 

Vice Chairman 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California 

PETER T. KING, New York 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

AMO HOUGHTON, New York 

JOHN M. MCHUGH, New York 

ROY BLUNT, Missouri 

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado 

RON PAUL, Texas 

NICK SMITH, Michigan 

JOSEPH R. PITTS, Pennsylvania 

JEFF FLAKE, Arizona 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

MARK GREEN, Wisconsin 

JERRY WELLER, Illinois 

MIKE PENCE, Indiana 

THADDEUS G. MCCOTTER, Michigan 

KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida 

TOM LANTOS, California 

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California 

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York 

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 

Samoa 

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey 

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey 

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

BARBARA LEE, California 

JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York 

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania 

EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon 

SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada 

GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California 

ADAM B. SCHIFF, California 

DIANE E. WATSON, California 

ADAM SMITH, Washington 

BETTY MCCOLLUM, Minnesota 

BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky 

THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel 

ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska, Chairman 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

PETER T. KING, New York 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan 

ROY BLUNT, Missouri 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

BARBARA LEE, California 

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania 

EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon 

VINCE MORELLI, Subcommittee Staff Director 

JONATHAN KATZ, Democratic Professional Staff Member 

PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member 

BEVERLY HALLOCK, Staff Associate 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF: 

H. Res. 577, Recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States 

Government and the European Union ............................................................... 2

Amendment to H. Res. 577 offered by the Honorable Doug Bereuter, a 

Representative in Congress from the State of Nebraska, and Chairman, 

Subcommittee on Europe ................................................................................. 8

(1)

RECOGNIZING 50 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

AND THE EUROPEAN UNION 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE, COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 

2255, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Doug Bereuter (Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding. 

Mr. BEREUTER. The Europe Subcommittee will come to order. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up the resolution H. Res. 577, recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States Government 

and European Union, for purposes of the markup. 

Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and 

open for amendment at any point. 

[H. Res. 577 follows:]

2

1

IV

108TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 577

Recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States Government

and the European Union.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 25, 2004

Mr. BEREUTER (for himself, Mr. WEXLER, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia,

Mr. LANTOS, Mr. DELAHUNT, and Ms. LEE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States

Government and the European Union.

Whereas on May 9, 1950, 6 countries of Europe, committed

to promoting a united Europe, founded 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 Clearly and Gottlieb to open an Information

Office in Washington, District of Columbia, thus estabVerDate Mar 21 2002 09:10 May 10, 2004 Jkt 093389 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\EUROPE\M042804\93389 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL

93389.AAB
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2

•HRES 577 IH

lishing 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;


93389.AAC
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3

•HRES 577 IH

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 will take place in Washington, District of Columbia: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of relations

3 between the United States and the European Union;

4 (2) commends the United States mission to the

5 European Union and the mission of the European

6 Commission to the United States for the profes7 sional representation of the interests of the United

8 States and European Union over the past 50 years;

9 (3) recognizes that continued cooperation be10 tween the United States and the European Union is

11 essential to resolving international disputes, pro12 moting peace, expanding global economic oppor13 tunity, combating global threats, and being prepared

14 to respond to unforeseen events; and

15 (4) encourages enhanced United States-Euro16 pean Union strategic discussion and institutional co17 operation, including increased discussions between

18 representatives of the United States Congress and


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•HRES 577 IH

1 the European Parliament through the Transatlantic

2 Legislator’s Dialogue.

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93389.AAE
6

Mr. BEREUTER. I do have a statement, and then I will recognize 

the Ranking Member. 

Fifty-three years ago, acting on an idea first proposed by French 

businessman Jean Monnet and formally proposed by French Foreign Minister Robert Shuman, six nations of Europe signed the European Coal and Steel Community, ECSC, Treaty in Paris on April 

18th, 1951. 

This effort, which sought to rebuild a war-devastated economic 

system by attempting to integrate the economies of Europe, has 

evolved over the years to become what we now know and refer to 

as the European Union. 

In 1953, the United States Government sent its first diplomatic 

observers to the European Coal and Steel Community, and 1 year 

later, in 1954, the High Authority of the ECSC established it first 

official presence in the United States. 

Last November, the U.S. Mission in Brussels, led by Ambassador 

Rockwell Schnauble, held an event to kick off the 50th anniversary 

of relations between the United States and European Union. Secretary of State Powell attended the ceremony and dedicated a 

plaque commemorating the anniversary. In his statement, the Secretary noted 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 the 

deep, broad and lasting partnership between Europe and the 

United States.’’

Next week, on May 6th, a similar event will be held here in 

Washington, DC, at the State Department which will continue the 

celebration. It is also interesting to note that by virtue of the enlargement of the European Union, which will take place on Saturday, the celebration will now be with 25 nations of Europe. 

H. Res. 577 recognizes the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-EU relations, reaffirms the importance of cooperation between the United 

States and Europe, and encourages enhanced dialogue with Europe 

and its Union. 

I urge adoption of the resolution. 

I turn to the gentleman from New York for a statement he may 

have. 

Mr. ENGEL. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

On behalf of my good friend and colleague, Mr. Wexler, I join you 

today as Ranking Member in strong support of H. Res. 577. 

This resolution, as you mentioned, recognizes 50 years of relations between the United States Government and the European 

Union. Relations between the United States and European countries reach back to the founding of our great Nation and even before. Yet those friendships have only become stronger since the end 

of World War II and the founding of the first European Coal and 

Steel Community over 50 years ago. 

Today, our close relations are based more than on any one factor. 

They are underpinned by shared values, similar democratic forms 

of government, robust trade relationships, and close ties between 

our peoples. 

7

In H. Res. 577, we commemorate the 50 years since the European Coal and Steel Community opened an office in Washington, 

DC, here, establishing the first official presence of the precursor of 

the European Union in the United States. 

The resolution also recognizes a continued cooperation between 

the United States and the European Union is essential to resolving 

international disputes, promoting peace, expanding global economic 

opportunities, combating global threats, and being prepared to respond to unforeseen events. 

It further 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. 

Yet, as we all know, recent events have shown that challenges 

to America’s relationship with the EU does sometimes rise to the 

surface. Different approaches among EU member states toward 

Iraq, the Middle East, or the Balkans and competing interests on 

trade matters has at times complicated our otherwise very strong 

ties. 

For this reason, we must rededicate ourselves to a close working 

relationship between the U.S. and the EU, because the issues and 

values that unite us are far greater in number and importance 

than those which might divide us. Cooperation against international terrorism remains strong, while the EU and U.S. continue 

to promote democracy and good government throughout the world. 

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 577 

and ask that you add me as a cosponsor of this resolution. I urge 

the Subcommittee to favorably report the legislation so that we can 

appropriately commemorate this important anniversary in the relationship between the United States and the European Union. 

Thank you. 

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Engel. I would be 

honored to have you as a cosponsor, and that will be accomplished. 

I think you are right to remind us, of course, that we do have 

matters of contention between us frequently but that the things 

that bind us together are far more important and the objectives 

that we have in common are far more important. That is why the 

maintenance of this relationship on a positive basis is so important. 

I have an amendment at the desk which, without objection, will 

be considered as read. 

[The information referred to follows:]

8

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 577

OFFERED BY MR. BEREUTER

In the first clause of the preamble, strike ‘‘6 countries of Europe’’ and all that follows and insert the following: ‘‘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);’’.

Page 4, line 2, strike ‘‘Legislator’s Dialogue’’ and

insert ‘‘Legislators’ Dialogue’’.


93389a.AAB
9

Mr. BEREUTER. It simply makes a change in the preamble referencing the difference between the beginning of the dialogue and 

the actual signing, and the changes are purely minor. I don’t know 

if you have seen it or not, Mr. Engel. 

The question occurs on the amendment. All of those in favor will 

say aye. Those opposed will say no. 

In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

Are there other amendments? 

If not, the Chair will entertain a motion that the resolution be 

reported favorably to the Full Committee as amended. 

Mr. ENGEL. So moved. 

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Engel. 

The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution H. 

Res. 577 favorably, as amended. All those in favor will say aye. All 

opposed say no. 

The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably without objection. 

The staff is directed to make any technical and conforming 

amendments. 

Thank you for being here to expedite this matter today before we 

actually begin the celebration on Saturday. 

Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you. And I declare the Subcommittee 

markup is adjourned. Thank you for your attendance. 

[Whereupon, at 3:15 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]

Æ