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 resolu-
tion; 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 recog-
nizing 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 Eu-
rope after the devastation of two world wars by uniting 
enemies through economic cooperation within the Euro-
pean 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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European Parliament in 1962, and began direct elections 
in 1979; 
Whereas for the last 60 years, the United States has sup-
ported the evolution of the European Coal and Steel 
Community into the European Union, working in soli-
darity with our European partners to address the polit-
ical and economic challenges confronting the transatlantic 
alliance; 
Whereas the United States and the European Union have de-
veloped 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, respon-
sible for creating up to an estimated 14 million jobs on 
both sides of the Atlantic; 
Whereas the European Union and its Member States com-
bined are among the major donors supporting the recon-
struction 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 friend-
ship is essential to peace and prosperity across the 
globe’’; 
Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden, in a speech to the Eu-
ropean Parliament on May 6, 2010, declared that ‘‘the 
past 65 years have shown that when Americans and Eu-
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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 Representa-
tives and the European Parliament began in 1972, when 
the first group of Members of Congress traveled to Brus-
sels 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 Atlan-
tic, including their respective legislative bodies, to pro-
mote peace, stability, democracy, and development 
around the world, to respond to global challenges, and to 
contribute to the expansion of world trade and closer eco-
nomic 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) congratulates the European Union on the 
60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which 
is now celebrated as Europe Day on May 9th, that 
led to the successful union of European nations and 
contributed to lasting peace and prosperity across 
the continent; 
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(2) recognizes that the United States and the 
European Union face common challenges at home 
and abroad and believes that a regular dialogue be-
tween Congress and the European Parliament is im-
portant in fostering the United States and European 
Union relationship; and 
(3) recognizes the importance of regular dia-
logue between Congress and the European Par-
liament. 
Æ 
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