•HRES 932 IH 
Whereas prior to becoming a NATO member and subse-
quently, as an ally, Bulgaria participated in the United 
States-led and NATO missions and operations in Iraq, 
Afghanistan, Libya, Kosovo, and the Mediterranean; 
Whereas Bulgaria was among the very first countries to de-
nounce terrorism and pledge active support to the United 
States in the fight against terrorism following the attacks 
of September 11, 2001; 
Whereas Bulgaria provided overflight and basing rights at 
the town of Bourgas for Operation Enduring Freedom, 
representing the first stationing of foreign forces in Bul-
garia since World War II, and Bulgaria deployed a nu-
clear, biological, and chemical protection detachment to 
Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assist-
ance Force (ISAF); 
Whereas the United States and Bulgaria recognize that Rus-
sia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has only underscored 
the geostrategic importance of the Black Sea region, and 
the need to ensure that the region remains free and se-
cure from threats posed by Russia and other malign ac-
tors; 
Whereas the bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) 
was signed in 2006, regulating the status of forces, allow-
ing for joint United States-Bulgarian military facilities, 
providing for bilateral and multilateral exercises, and fa-
cilitating the movement and temporary stationing of air-
craft and vessels; 
Whereas Bulgaria continues to invest in defense capabilities, 
interoperability, and the development of a credible de-
fense posture in cooperation with the United States, as 
exemplified by the purchase of sixteen F–16 Block 70 
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•HRES 932 IH 
fighter jets from the United States, and intending to pur-
chase United States Stryker combat vehicles; 
Whereas the United States and Bulgaria share the under-
standing that energy security is a crucial component of 
national security, and Bulgaria has made significant 
progress in reducing its dependency on Russian energy 
resources and in diversifying its energy sector in collabo-
ration with the United States; 
Whereas the two nations acknowledge the significance of in-
tensifying their cooperation in innovations, research, and 
emerging technologies; 
Whereas people-to-people exchanges between the United 
States and Bulgaria are vital for bolstering the bilateral 
relationship and Bulgaria has made progress towards 
meeting criteria for visa-free travel of Bulgarian citizens 
to the United States; 
Whereas the shared commitment to counter disinformation 
and hybrid threats was demonstrated by the signing of 
a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Countering 
Foreign Information Manipulation on September 25, 
2023; 
Whereas the year 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of the 
historic rescue of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews during the 
World War II; 
Whereas it is acknowledged with regret and sadness that 
11,343 Jews were deported to Nazi concentration camps 
from Macedonia, Thrace, and Pirot, territories adminis-
tered Bulgaria at that time; 
Whereas Bulgaria takes pride in its Jewish community and 
remains resolute in its stance against any forms of dis-
crimination, intolerance, and antisemitism; 
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•HRES 932 IH 
Whereas the vibrant Bulgarian-American community is con-
tributing to America’s prosperity, including to its re-
markable economic achievements, the preservation of its 
technological edge, and the enrichment of American cul-
ture and society, through its diverse talents, rich tradi-
tions, art, music, dance, cuisine, and language; 
Whereas Bulgaria’s presence in the world’s biggest library, 
the United States Library of Congress is marked with a 
collection of over 50,000 volumes of Bulgarian cultural 
heritage, brought together by the Library of Congress in 
collaboration with Bulgarian individuals and institutions 
since the 1880s; 
Whereas the American University in Bulgaria, the pioneer of 
American-style liberal arts education in Eastern Europe, 
has been delivering exceptional education for more than 
three decades; 
Whereas there are 41 Bulgarian Sunday schools in the 
United States, which are contributing to the preservation 
of Bulgarian language and traditions and to the cultural 
diversity in the United States; 
Whereas Bulgaria is the place of origin of the Cyrillic alpha-
bet, which is currently taught in the Bulgarian Sunday 
schools across the United States; 
Whereas the Bulgarian Caucus in the House of Representa-
tives was formed in June 2002 and the following year a 
group for friendship with the United States was formed 
in the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria 
demonstrating a dedication to the bilateral relationship; 
and 
Whereas America’s most successful and enduring relation-
ships are built on shared values: Now, therefore, be it 
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•HRES 932 IH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the 120th anniversary of diplo-
matic relations between the United States of Amer-
ica and the Republic of Bulgaria; 
(2) recognizes the enduring partnership between 
the United States of America and the Republic of 
Bulgaria as friends, strategic partners, and Allies; 
(3) expresses its conviction that the relationship 
remains rooted in our shared commitment to demo-
cratic principles and values, including the rule of law 
and respect for human rights; 
(4) acknowledges Bulgaria’s strategic role in 
the Black Sea region and expresses a shared com-
mitment to uphold the security and stability within 
the region; 
(5) notes the significant security challenges cur-
rently facing our two countries and supports our 
joint efforts to further enhance the security and de-
fense cooperation; 
(6) commends the Government and the people 
of Bulgaria for their contribution to the inter-
national efforts to preserve the rules-based inter-
national order; 
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•HRES 932 IH 
(7) salutes the willing cooperation of Bulgaria 
and its increasingly vital role as a valuable Ally in 
the war against international terrorism; 
(8) acknowledges the commitment to deepen 
our cooperation on countering foreign malign influ-
ence and disinformation by enhancing societal resil-
ience and media and information literacy; 
(9) reaffirms the significance of intensifying co-
operation in innovations, research, and emerging 
technologies; 
(10) recognizes that the Bulgarian-American 
culture and heritage strengthen and enrich the di-
versity of the United States; and 
(11) looks forward to continued collaboration 
between the United States and Bulgaria in advanc-
ing shared values and interests in the years ahead. 
Æ 
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