Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Slovenia and the enduring friendship between the American and Slovenian peoples is critical to United States interests.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 1068 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the alliance be- tween the United States and the Republic of Slovenia and the enduring friendship between the American and Slovenian peoples is critical to United States interests. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 29, 2020 Mr. GOSAR (for himself and Mr. TRONE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Slovenia and the enduring friendship between the American and Slovenian peoples is critical to United States interests. Whereas, on December 23, 1990, the people of Slovenia voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from the former Yugoslavia in a national referendum; Whereas, on June 25, 1991, the Republic of Slovenia de- clared itself an independent and sovereign country; Whereas, on December 23, 1991, the parliament of Slovenia adopted a constitution based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and democratic ideals; VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:58 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1068.IH HR1068 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1068 IH Whereas, on April 7, 1992, the United States recognized the independence of Slovenia, which was followed by the es- tablishment of diplomatic relations on August 11, 1992; Whereas Slovenia has made important contributions to inter- national efforts to promote peace, stability, and develop- ment in Europe, the Middle East and the Near East, Af- rica, and elsewhere; Whereas Slovenia has been an important United States ally in Central Europe and a strong advocate of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the merits of an open and free market economy; Whereas Central Europe is a critical geographic region for United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and European Union (EU) interests; Whereas China and the Russian Federation have made con- certed efforts to exert influence on our Central European allies and partners to drive a wedge between these na- tions and the rest of NATO and the EU; Whereas Slovenia has become an active member country of international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO, the EU, the Organization for Economic Coopera- tion and Development, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, and the World Trade Organization; Whereas Slovenia has further strengthened its international role by successfully chairing the Organization for Secu- rity and Cooperation in Europe in 2005, and, as the first new member from Central and Eastern Europe, by suc- cessfully holding the presidency of the Council of the Eu- ropean Union in 2008, when it also hosted a summit be- VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:58 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1068.IH HR1068 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 1068 IH tween the United States and the European Union at- tended by President George W. Bush; Whereas Slovenia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union again in 2021; Whereas Slovenia actively participates in numerous regional forums with strong transatlantic interest, notably the Three Seas Initiative and the Partnership for Trans- atlantic Energy Cooperation; Whereas almost a decade has passed since the last visit of the Prime Minister of Slovenia to the White House and a new interaction at this level is therefore urgently need- ed; and Whereas, on March 3, 2020, Janez Jansˇa was elected as the 14th Prime Minister of Slovenia and has not yet met with the President of the United States to further polit- ical, trade, and military relationships: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives here- 1 by— 2 (1) applauds the many achievements of the Re- 3 public of Slovenia since gaining its independence and 4 respects its contribution to freedom loving people 5 around the world; 6 (2) recognizes the close friendship, strategic 7 partnership, and strong alliance between the United 8 States and Slovenia, which has facilitated the en- 9 hancement of democratic values and the promotion 10 of peace around the world; 11 VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:58 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1068.IH HR1068 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 1068 IH (3) recognizes the important role of the Slove- 1 nian community in the United States to promote 2 partnerships and cooperation between the two coun- 3 tries, as well as the significant and historic contribu- 4 tions of this community to the American society and 5 economy, including to the ideal of the American 6 dream; 7 (4) encourages continued engagement between 8 the United States and Slovenia to further the bilat- 9 eral relationship and pursue shared interests and 10 goals around the world; and 11 (5) encourages a bilateral meeting between the 12 President of the United States and the Prime Min- 13 ister of Slovenia. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 17:58 Jul 30, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1068.IH HR1068 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS