Commemorating 200 years of official relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Chile.

Commemorating 200 years of official relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Chile. Whereas January 2023 marked two centuries of bilateral relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Chile; Whereas the United States established official relations with Chile on January 27, 1823, when the Senate confirmed the appointment of Heman Allen as the first United States Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to Chile; Whereas the United States legation in Santiago, Chile, was elevated to embassy status on October 1, 1914; Whereas Chile is one of the strongest partners of the United States in Latin America, with a partnership grounded in mutual respect, shared democratic values, the defense of human rights, and the pursuit of economic prosperity and shared security interests; Whereas the United States and Chile have historically enjoyed strong commercial and investment ties, and, on January 1, 2004, the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement entered into force and further contributed to economic growth for the people of the United States and Chile; Whereas, in 1955, Chile was the first country in Latin America to establish a bilateral Fulbright Commission for academic exchange of knowledge and expertise; Whereas Chile was the first South American country to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2010; Whereas the bilateral relationship between the United States and Chile has contributed to tourism in both countries, including through the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1187 Whereas the United States and Chile collaborate regularly on efforts to promote democracy, human rights, security, and development, including through the High-Level Bilateral Political Consultative Mechanism, and the U.S.Chile Defense Consultative Committee; Whereas Chile and the United States have a long history of strong cooperation on science and technology, including the more than $800,000,000 in funding contributed by the National Science Foundation to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array; Whereas the National Science Foundation has collaborated with the Government of Chile toward the advancement of research in the Antarctic region through the United States Antarctica Program and the Chilean Antarctic Institute; Whereas the United States and Chile have strong cooperation on the development of critical minerals and renewable energy, and Chile stands out as a global leader in renewable energy, with renewable energy accounting for approximately 59 percent of the installed electricity capacity in Chile; Whereas the United States and Chile collaborate on environmental stewardship and conservation matters, and the Government of Chile led the establishment of the Americas for the Protection of the Ocean coalition at the Ninth Summit of the Americas in June 2022, which has strengthened efforts to advance marine conservation in South America; and Whereas Chileans in the United States have enriched and added to the way of life of the United States and become an integral part of the cultural history of the United States: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) commemorates the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the official relationship between the United States of America and the Republic of Chile; (2) recognizes the historical partnership between the United States and Chile, and reaffirms long-lasting collaboration with Chile to address mutual challenges and enhance the prosperity and security of the people of the United States and Chile; (3) reaffirms bilateral cooperation between the United States and Chile to promote the advancement of science and technology and environmental sustainability; (4) expresses support for the shared principles of democratic governance, human rights, and rule of law underpinning the relationship between the United States and Chile; and (5) celebrates the contributions that Chileans and Chilean Americans have made in the United States.

Summary: This resolution commemorates the 200th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between the United States and Chile. The resolution also (1) reaffirms collaboration and cooperation between the United States and Chile; (2) supports the two countries' shared principles of democratic government, human rights, and the rule of law; and (3) celebrates the contributions that Chileans and Chilean Americans have made to the United States.