IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1417 

Recognizing the importance of transatlantic relations between the United 

States and the European Union and recognizing the growing importance 

of the dialogue between Congress and the European Parliament. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 28, 2010 

Ms. BERKLEY (for herself, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. MARIO

DIAZ-BALART of Florida, and Mr. COSTA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the importance of transatlantic relations between 

the United States and the European Union and recognizing the growing importance of the dialogue between 

Congress and the European Parliament. 

Whereas, on May 9, 1950, then-French Foreign Minister 

Robert Schuman presented his vision for rebuilding Europe after the devastation of two world wars by uniting 

enemies through economic cooperation within the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), explaining that 

‘‘Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a 

single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements 

which first create a de facto solidarity’’; 

Whereas the Common Assembly of the European Coal and 

Steel Community was established in 1952, became the 


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•HRES 1417 IH 

European Parliament in 1962, and began direct elections 

in 1979; 

Whereas for the last 60 years, the United States has supported the evolution of the European Coal and Steel 

Community into the European Union, working in solidarity with our European partners to address the political and economic challenges confronting the transatlantic 

alliance; 

Whereas the United States and the European Union have developed a strong and integrated economic relationship, 

which generates an estimated $4 trillion in commercial 

activity per year and accounts for close to 60 percent of 

global GDP and roughly 40 percent of world trade; 

Whereas the United States and the European Union are each 

other’s largest trading and investment partners, responsible for creating up to an estimated 14 million jobs on 

both sides of the Atlantic; 

Whereas the European Union and its Member States combined are among the major donors supporting the reconstruction and transition process in Afghanistan, having 

contributed more than 8 billion Euros between 2002 and 

2010; 

Whereas President George W. Bush, in a speech to leaders 

of the European Union on February 21, 2005, stressed 

that ‘‘the alliance of Europe and North America is the 

main pillar of our security’’ and that ‘‘our strong friendship is essential to peace and prosperity across the 

globe’’; 

Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden, in a speech to the European Parliament on May 6, 2010, declared that ‘‘the 

past 65 years have shown that when Americans and EuVerDate Mar 15 2010 16:25 Jun 01, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1417.IH HR1417

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•HRES 1417 IH 

ropeans devote their energies to common purpose, there 

is almost nothing we are unable to accomplish’’; 

Whereas formal exchanges between the House of Representatives and the European Parliament began in 1972, when 

the first group of Members of Congress traveled to Brussels to meet and exchange views with their parliamentary 

counterparts; 

Whereas in 1995, in recognition of the importance of the 

transatlantic political and economic partnership, the 

United States and the European Union adopted a ‘‘New 

Transatlantic Agenda’’ which established a framework for 

consultation between leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, including their respective legislative bodies, to promote peace, stability, democracy, and development 

around the world, to respond to global challenges, and to 

contribute to the expansion of world trade and closer economic relations; and 

Whereas, on December 1, 2009, the Lisbon Treaty entered 

into force in the European Union, increasing the powers 

of the European Parliament in the legislative process and 

creating a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and 

Security Policy and a President of the European Council: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) congratulates the European Union on the 

3 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which 

4 is now celebrated as Europe Day on May 9th, that 

5 led to the successful union of European nations and 

6 contributed to lasting peace and prosperity across 

7 the continent; 


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1 (2) recognizes that the United States and the 

2 European Union face common challenges at home 

3 and abroad and believes that a regular dialogue be4 tween Congress and the European Parliament is im5 portant in fostering the United States and European 

6 Union relationship; and 

7 (3) recognizes the importance of regular dia8 logue between Congress and the European Par9 liament. 

Æ 


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