A resolution celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania.

III 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION S. RES. 628 Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 18, 2020 Mr. JOHNSON (for himself and Mrs. SHAHEEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Celebrating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania. Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in June 1880; Whereas, in 1997, the United States and Romania estab- lished a long-term partnership based on the United States recognition of Romania’s strategic importance, the commitment to shared values, and a common interest in stability and democratic progress; Whereas Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organi- zation (NATO) in 2004 and hosts NATO’s Multi-na- tional Division Headquarters South East, a NATO Force Integration Unit, the Multi-national Brigade South East, and the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System, a key ele- VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR628.IS SR628 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 628 IS ment of the United States European Phased Adaptive Approach missile defense system; Whereas, in 2011, the United States and Romania issued the ‘‘Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century Between the United States of America and Ro- mania’’, reflecting increasing cooperation between the countries and throughout the Black Sea region to pro- mote security, democracy, free market opportunities, and cultural exchange; Whereas Romania continues to modernize its armed forces and is 1 of 7 NATO members to have met its 2014 Wales Summit commitment to allocate at least 2 percent of gross domestic product for defense spending; Whereas the Romanian armed forces have supported NATO and United States operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters for almost 2 decades, contributing more than 30,000 total combat and support personnel to those missions, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice; Whereas Romania is a member of the Global Coalition to De- feat ISIS, provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq and Syria, and is making significant contributions to the fight against international terrorism; Whereas, on August 20, 2019, the United States and Roma- nia signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a shared commitment to developing a secure and vibrant fifth-generation wireless infrastructure based on free and fair competition, transparency, and the rule of law—in- cluding a rigorous evaluation of vendors; Whereas Romania has played a leading role in the establish- ment of the Three Seas Initiative and was one of the first countries to invest in the Three Seas Initiative Invest- VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR628.IS SR628 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 628 IS ment Fund, which aims to increase energy independence and infrastructure connectivity across Central and East- ern Europe; Whereas the United States and Romania have been deep- ening their economic relationship through increased bilat- eral trade and investment, and in 2017, Romania hosted the tenth annual United States Commercial Service Trade Winds Forum and Trade Mission, helping United States companies boost exports across Southeast Europe; Whereas, in 2018, as Romania celebrated its Unification Cen- tennial, Governors from across the United States issued Proclamations to congratulate Romanians and Roma- nian-Americans on that historic milestone, illustrating the close ties and friendship that exist between the United States and Romania; Whereas, in 2019, Romanians all across the United States commemorated 30 years since Romania’s liberation from the former communist regime, a powerful reminder of the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and a celebration of the triumphant call of freedom, liberty, and dignity; Whereas the Romanian people have made progress in their efforts to hold their institutions and leadership account- able in the continued fight against high-level corruption; Whereas Romania resides in the strategically important and increasingly militarized Black Sea region, and has proven itself a critical security ally in the region, including by hosting the annual NATO Sea Shield exercise; Whereas, during these times of unprecedented challenge caused by the COVID–19 pandemic crisis, the United States and Romania are strengthening their partnership, such as through United States assistance with targeted VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR628.IS SR628 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 628 IS funds, strategic military airlift and medical emergency equipment, and Romanian support for the swift repatri- ation of United States nationals overseas; Whereas, as a sign of solidarity and friendship between the people of Romania and the United States, Romania sent its first medical and expert support and advisory mission to Alabama, assigning 15 Romanian doctors, medical staff, and chemical and biological risk experts to ex- change best practices and assist local COVID–19 efforts in care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals across the State; and Whereas 2020 marks the 140th anniversary of the establish- ment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Romania: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) celebrates the 140th anniversary of the es- 2 tablishment of diplomatic relations between the 3 United States and Romania; 4 (2) applauds the Government and the people of 5 Romania for the significant strides they have made 6 in governance, anti-corruption, rule of law, economic 7 reforms, and their continuing pursuit of democratic, 8 social, and economic progress; 9 (3) encourages the United States Government 10 to use its leadership in NATO to advocate for an up- 11 graded NATO presence in Romania, in order to bet- 12 ter accommodate the evolving threat environment in 13 and around the Black Sea region; and 14 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR628.IS SR628 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 5 •SRES 628 IS (4) reaffirms the enduring alliance between the 1 United States and Romania, based upon shared 2 democratic values, security partnership, and increas- 3 ing economic ties. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Jun 18, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR628.IS SR628 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS