Title: A resolution recognizing the longstanding partnership between the United States and Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of crisis.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for Australia, as well as greater collaboration between the United States and Australia to promote wildfire mitigation and prevention.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 527 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 527

Recognizing the longstanding partnership between the United States and 
  Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of 
                                crisis.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2020

Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Boozman, Mr. 
 Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Cruz, 
  Mr. Daines, Mr. Enzi, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Harris, Mrs. 
 Loeffler, Ms. McSally, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Risch, Mr. Romney, Mr. Rounds, 
    Mr. Rubio, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Sinema, Mr. 
Sullivan, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thune, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Braun, and Ms. Rosen) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the longstanding partnership between the United States and 
  Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of 
                                crisis.

Whereas Australia and the United States have long held a unique relationship, 
        marked by close diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation;
Whereas Australia and the United States celebrated 100 years of mateship on July 
        4, 2018, marking the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Hamel, which 
        helped turn the tide of World War I;
Whereas the United States and Australia are entering the seventieth anniversary 
        of the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS 
        Treaty), the 1951 collective security non-binding agreement between 
        Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United 
        States, to cooperate on military matters;
Whereas the United States and Australia have shared firefighting resources, 
        including specialist firefighters, for over 15 years;
Whereas the United States and Australia are experiencing some of the hottest and 
        driest weather conditions on record, exacerbating the threat of 
        wildfires and contributing to longer wildfire seasons in both nations;
Whereas over 100 Australian firefighters traveled to the United States in August 
        2018, to assist with efforts to contain wildfires that threatened 
        communities in California, Oregon, and Washington;
Whereas over 300 American firefighters have been mobilized to Australia since 
        December 2019 to help combat and contain devastating bushfires that have 
        burned over 30,000,000 acres of land; and
Whereas multiple United States agencies, including the Bureau of Land 
        Management, Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian 
        Affairs, and Fish and Wildlife Services, have provided American 
        firefighters to help combat Australia's bushfires: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the value of the longstanding partnership 
        between the United States and Australia to share critical 
        firefighting resources during times of crisis;
            (2) recognizes the efforts and bravery of Australian 
        firefighters who have not only risked their lives to fight 
        wildfires in their own country but also helped contain several 
        dangerous wildfires in North America;
            (3) recognizes the efforts and bravery of American 
        firefighters who have not only risked their lives to fight 
        wildfires in their own country but have also provided their 
        services to combat the bushfires currently ravaging the 
        Australian continent;
            (4) honors the ultimate sacrifice of the three American 
        firefighters who lost their lives assisting in fighting 
        Australia's bushfires in the crash of the Large Air Tanker in 
        the Snowy Monaro area of Australia on January 23, 2020, and 
        extends deepest condolences to their families, friends, and 
        colleagues;
            (5) expresses full support for the people of Australia as 
        they focus on recovery and rebuilding affected areas and 
        communities;
            (6) supports continued partnership between the Commonwealth 
        Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and United 
        States Federal agencies to share research, technology, and best 
        practices related to wildfire mitigation and suppression; and
            (7) supports continued cooperation and greater 
        collaboration between Australia and the United States to 
        mitigate the underlying factors driving extended and more 
        intense wildfire years in both countries.
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