SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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93–389PDF
2004
RECOGNIZING 50 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
H. Res. 577
APRIL 28, 2004
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Serial No. 108–81
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey,
Vice Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
AMO HOUGHTON, New York
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York
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ROY BLUNT, Missouri
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
RON PAUL, Texas
NICK SMITH, Michigan
JOSEPH R. PITTS, Pennsylvania
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
MARK GREEN, Wisconsin
JERRY WELLER, Illinois
MIKE PENCE, Indiana
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida
TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
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BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
DIANE E. WATSON, California
ADAM SMITH, Washington
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota
BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky
THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel
ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director
Subcommittee on Europe
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska, Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
PETER T. KING, New York
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
ROY BLUNT, Missouri
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ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
VINCE MORELLI, Subcommittee Staff Director
JONATHAN KATZ, Democratic Professional Staff Member
PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member
BEVERLY HALLOCK, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
MARKUP OF:
H. Res. 577, Recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States Government and the European Union
Amendment to H. Res. 577 offered by the Honorable Doug Bereuter, a Representative in Congress from the State of Nebraska, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Europe
RECOGNIZING 50 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004
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House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Europe,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 2255, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Doug Bereuter (Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. BEREUTER. The Europe Subcommittee will come to order.
Pursuant to notice, I call up the resolution H. Res. 577, recognizing 50 years of relations between the United States Government and European Union, for purposes of the markup.
Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point.
[H. Res. 577 follows:]
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Mr. BEREUTER. I do have a statement, and then I will recognize the Ranking Member.
Fifty-three years ago, acting on an idea first proposed by French businessman Jean Monnet and formally proposed by French Foreign Minister Robert Shuman, six nations of Europe signed the European Coal and Steel Community, ECSC, Treaty in Paris on April 18th, 1951.
This effort, which sought to rebuild a war-devastated economic system by attempting to integrate the economies of Europe, has evolved over the years to become what we now know and refer to as the European Union.
In 1953, the United States Government sent its first diplomatic observers to the European Coal and Steel Community, and 1 year later, in 1954, the High Authority of the ECSC established it first official presence in the United States.
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Last November, the U.S. Mission in Brussels, led by Ambassador Rockwell Schnauble, held an event to kick off the 50th anniversary of relations between the United States and European Union. Secretary of State Powell attended the ceremony and dedicated a plaque commemorating the anniversary. In his statement, the Secretary noted 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 the deep, broad and lasting partnership between Europe and the United States.''
Next week, on May 6th, a similar event will be held here in Washington, DC, at the State Department which will continue the celebration. It is also interesting to note that by virtue of the enlargement of the European Union, which will take place on Saturday, the celebration will now be with 25 nations of Europe.
H. Res. 577 recognizes the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-EU relations, reaffirms the importance of cooperation between the United States and Europe, and encourages enhanced dialogue with Europe and its Union.
I urge adoption of the resolution.
I turn to the gentleman from New York for a statement he may have.
Mr. ENGEL. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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On behalf of my good friend and colleague, Mr. Wexler, I join you today as Ranking Member in strong support of H. Res. 577.
This resolution, as you mentioned, recognizes 50 years of relations between the United States Government and the European Union. Relations between the United States and European countries reach back to the founding of our great Nation and even before. Yet those friendships have only become stronger since the end of World War II and the founding of the first European Coal and Steel Community over 50 years ago.
Today, our close relations are based more than on any one factor. They are underpinned by shared values, similar democratic forms of government, robust trade relationships, and close ties between our peoples.
In H. Res. 577, we commemorate the 50 years since the European Coal and Steel Community opened an office in Washington, DC, here, establishing the first official presence of the precursor of the European Union in the United States.
The resolution also recognizes a continued cooperation between the United States and the European Union is essential to resolving international disputes, promoting peace, expanding global economic opportunities, combating global threats, and being prepared to respond to unforeseen events.
It further encourages enhanced United States-European Union strategic discussion and institutional cooperation, including increased discussions between representatives of the United States Congress and the European Parliament through the transatlantic legislators dialogue.
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Yet, as we all know, recent events have shown that challenges to America's relationship with the EU does sometimes rise to the surface. Different approaches among EU member states toward Iraq, the Middle East, or the Balkans and competing interests on trade matters has at times complicated our otherwise very strong ties.
For this reason, we must rededicate ourselves to a close working relationship between the U.S. and the EU, because the issues and values that unite us are far greater in number and importance than those which might divide us. Cooperation against international terrorism remains strong, while the EU and U.S. continue to promote democracy and good government throughout the world.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 577 and ask that you add me as a cosponsor of this resolution. I urge the Subcommittee to favorably report the legislation so that we can appropriately commemorate this important anniversary in the relationship between the United States and the European Union. Thank you.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Engel. I would be honored to have you as a cosponsor, and that will be accomplished.
I think you are right to remind us, of course, that we do have matters of contention between us frequently but that the things that bind us together are far more important and the objectives that we have in common are far more important. That is why the maintenance of this relationship on a positive basis is so important.
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I have an amendment at the desk which, without objection, will be considered as read.
[The information referred to follows:]
93389a.AAB
Mr. BEREUTER. It simply makes a change in the preamble referencing the difference between the beginning of the dialogue and the actual signing, and the changes are purely minor. I don't know if you have seen it or not, Mr. Engel.
The question occurs on the amendment. All of those in favor will say aye. Those opposed will say no.
In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
Are there other amendments?
If not, the Chair will entertain a motion that the resolution be reported favorably to the Full Committee as amended.
Mr. ENGEL. So moved.
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Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Engel.
The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution H. Res. 577 favorably, as amended. All those in favor will say aye. All opposed say no.
The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably without objection.
The staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
Thank you for being here to expedite this matter today before we actually begin the celebration on Saturday.
Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you. And I declare the Subcommittee markup is adjourned. Thank you for your attendance.
[Whereupon, at 3:15 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]