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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 673 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 673

     Expressing the sense of the Senate that it values the active 
participation of the Republic of Macedonia as the state partner of the 
             Vermont National Guard over the past 15 years.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 29, 2010

Mr. Leahy submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
     Expressing the sense of the Senate that it values the active 
participation of the Republic of Macedonia as the state partner of the 
             Vermont National Guard over the past 15 years.

Whereas the National Guard State Partnership Program was created by the 
        Department of the Army in 1993 to link foreign partner countries with 
        segments of the National Guard to foster mutual interests and establish 
        long-term relationships;
Whereas in March 1995, after the signing of the Memorandum for Understanding in 
        1994, a Vermont State Partnership Program was established between the 
        State of Vermont and the Republic of Macedonia;
Whereas since 1995, Macedonia and Vermont have participated in more than 200 
        joint activities;
Whereas more than 4,000 members of the Ministry of Defense and armed forces of 
        Macedonia have received knowledge and training according to the 
        standards, tactics, and strategies of the United States Armed Forces;
Whereas the joint activities of the Vermont Macedonia state partnership have 
        shown the military of Macedonia how the military of the United States 
        operates and have prepared and trained soldiers for international 
        engagements, civil-military operations, crisis management, economic 
        development, higher education, and environmental policy;
Whereas Macedonia has participated in NATO-led and international military 
        missions in Afghanistan since August 2002 and increased troop levels in 
        2010;
Whereas the Government of Macedonia has made a substantial contribution of 
        troops to the NATO International Security Assistance Force relative to 
        the population size of the country;
Whereas the Government of Macedonia participates in regional cooperation 
        initiatives and provides assistance to neighboring countries;
Whereas during the Kosovo crisis of 1999, territory in Macedonia served as a 
        staging area and main corridor for logistical support to the NATO Kosovo 
        Force (commonly referred to as ``KFOR'');
Whereas the Government of Macedonia has led the KFOR Coordination Centre for 
        logistical support in Skopje since 2006;
Whereas in the interest of a faithful partnership with the United States, the 
        Government of Macedonia deployed troops to Iraq under the leadership of 
        the Government of the United States until 2008;
Whereas soldiers from Macedonia earned 120 medals awarded by the United States;
Whereas in July 2006, the Government of Macedonia deployed a helicopter 
        detachment unit and medical team to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of 
        Operation Althea led by the European Union, which continues today; and
Whereas since April 2010, troops from Macedonia have deployed to Afghanistan and 
        have been embedded in the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 
        Vermont National Guard as a result of the longstanding military 
        partnership and spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation between 
        Macedonia and Vermont: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the cooperation between the State of Vermont 
        and the Republic of Macedonia and the joint military 
        partnership between the Vermont National Guard and the Army of 
        the Republic of Macedonia for the past 15 years;
            (2) greatly appreciates these efforts by the Republic of 
        Macedonia and congratulates the Government and people of 
        Macedonia on their commitment to and participation with the 
        Government and people of the United Sates and other countries 
        in advancing peace, democracy, stability, and mutual 
        understanding among governments and people around the world; 
        and
            (3) expresses appreciation for the joint endeavors of the 
        Governments of Macedonia and the United States in combating 
        terrorist activities around the world.
                                 <all>
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