H. Res. 577
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
May 11, 2004.
Whereas on May 9, 1950, a proposal that the countries of
Europe, committed to promoting a united Europe, was
introduced and led to the founding in 1951 of the Euro-
pean 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 Cleary and Gottlieb to open an Information
Office in Washington, District of Columbia, thus estab-
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 be-
tween Europe and the United States’’;
•HRES 577 EH
Whereas although differences of opinion have existed on a
broad array of issues over the past 50 years, there re-
mains an important foundation of shared values across
the Atlantic which reaffirms that the current strengths
and common interests of the United States and the Euro-
pean 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 in-
terest which has resulted in the United States and Euro-
pean 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 be-
tween the United States and the European Union on eco-
nomic, trade, and domestic and foreign security matters;
Whereas the economic foundations for the United States-Eu-
ropean Union partnership are a central and irreversible
reality of the world economy;
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 took place in Washington, District of Columbia:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
•HRES 577 EH
(1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of relations be-
tween the United States and the European Union;
(2) commends the United States mission to the Eu-
ropean Union and the mission of the European Commis-
sion to the United States for the professional representa-
tion of the interests of the United States and European
Union over the past 50 years;
(3) recognizes that continued cooperation between
the United States and the European Union is essential
to resolving international disputes, promoting peace, ex-
panding global economic opportunity, combating global
threats, and being prepared to respond to unforeseen
events; and
(4) encourages enhanced United States-European
Union strategic discussion and institutional cooperation,
including increased discussions between representatives
of the United States Congress and the European Par-
liament through the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue.
Attest:
Clerk.