,,iii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #aef ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #bc1 #bjac ,mr4 ,warner submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,july #bd1 #bjac ,reported by ,mr4 ,menendez1 with an amendment and an amendment to the preamble ,july #ca1 #bjac ,considered1 amended1 and agreed to with an amended preamble ,,resolution ,expressing the sense of the ,senate on the #aj-year anniversary of ,,nato ,allied ,command ,transformation4 ,whereas1 on ,june #ai1 #bjjc1 ,,nato's ,allied ,command ,transformation 7,,act71 was formally established to increase military effectiveness and prepare the ,alliance for future security challenges2 ,whereas1 on ,june #ai1 #bjac1 the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization 7,,nato7 will celebrate the #aj-year anniversary of the establishment of ,,nato ,,act2 ,whereas the security of the ,united ,states and its ,,nato allies have been enhanced by the establishment and continued work of ,,nato ,,act2 ,whereas for the past #aj years1 ,,act has been leading ,,nato's military transformation1 and providing relevant and timely support to ,,nato operations1 while developing partnerships around the globe to adapt to the changing global security environment2 ,whereas ,,act is the only ,,nato headquarters in the ,united ,states1 and the only permanent ,,nato headquarters outside of ,europe2 ,whereas ,,act provides state of the art education1 training1 and application of best practices and lessons learned from past operations1 and equips ,alliance troops with the tools they need to win today's wars2 ,whereas ,,act improves ,,nato's defense planning and develops compatible equipment and common standards necessary to keep ,alliance capabilities aligned2 ,whereas ,,nato ,,act has been integral to a ,,nato mission of promoting a ,europe that is whole1 undivided1 free1 and at peace2 ,whereas ,,nato ,,act strengthened the ability of ,,nato to perform a full range of missions throughout the world2 ,whereas ,,nato ,,act has provided crucial support and participation in the ,,nato ,international ,security ,assistance ,force in ,afghanistan1 as ,,nato endeavors to help the people of ,afghanistan create the conditions necessary for security and successful development and reconstruction2 ,whereas ,,act employs personnel from #bf of the #bh ,,nato member nations and six of the #da ,,nato ,partner nations and contributes more than #ajj1jjj1jjj annually to the local economy2 ,whereas ,,nato has been the cornerstone of transatlantic security cooperation and an enduring instrument for promoting stability in ,europe and throughout the world for over #fj years1 representing the vital transatlantic bond of solidarity between the ,united ,states and ,europe1 as ,,nato nations share similar values and interests and are committed to the maintenance of democratic principles2 ,whereas the ,chicago ,summit ,communique affirms that all ,,nato members are determined that ,,nato will continue to play its unique and essential role in ensuring our common defense and security and that ,,nato continues to be effective in a changing world1 against new threats1 with new capabilities and new partners2 ,whereas through the ,alliance1 the ,united ,states and ,europe are effective and steadfast partners in security1 and ,,act is well positioned to contribute to the strength of the ,alliance on both continents2 ,whereas ,,nato ,,act has done much to help ,,nato meet the global challenges of the #bast century1 including the threat of terrorism1 the spread of weapons of mass destruction1 instability caused by failed states1 and threats to global energy security2 and ,whereas the #ajth anniversary of ,,nato ,,act is an opportunity to enhance and more deeply entrench those principles1 which continue to bind the alliance together and guide our efforts today3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 celebrates the #ajth anniversary of the establishment of ,,nato ,allied ,command ,transformation 7,,nato ,,act72 7#b7 recognizes ,,nato ,,act's leading role in transforming ,alliance forces and capabilities1 using new concepts such as the ,,nato ,response ,force and new doctrines in order to improve the ,alliance's military effectiveness2 7#c7 expresses appreciation for the continuing and close partnership between the ,united ,states ,government and ,,nato to transform the ,alliance2 7#d7 remembers the #fd years ,,nato has served to ensure peace1 security1 and stability in ,europe throughout the world1 and urges the ,united ,states ,government to continue to seek new ways to deepen and expand its important relationships with ,,nato2 7#e7 recognizes the service of the brave men and women who have served to safeguard the freedom and security of the ,united ,states and the whole of the transatlantic alliance2 7#f7 honors the sacrifices of ,united ,states personnel1 allies of the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization1 and partners in ,afghanistan2 7#g7 recognizes the outstanding partnership between the local community in ,norfolk1 ,virginia and ,,nato personnel assigned to ,,act2 7#h7 reaffirms that ,,nato1 through the new ,strategic ,concept1 is committed to helping the ,alliance adapt and prepare for the complex and demanding future security2 7#i7 urges all ,,nato members to take concrete steps to implement the ,strategic ,concept and to utilize the taskings from the #bjab ,,nato summit in ,chicago1 ,illinois1 to address current ,,nato operations1 future capabilities and burden-sharing issues1 and strengthen the relationship between ,,nato and partners around the world2 7#aj7 calls upon the ,president to use the momentum of the occasion of the #ajth anniversary of ,,nato ,,act-- 7,a7 to engage each of the member states of the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization in a dialogue about the long-term health of the ,alliance1 and strongly encourage each of the member states to make a serious effort to protect defense budgets from further reductions1 better allocate and coordinate the resources presently available1 and recommit to spending at least #b percent of gross domestic product 7,,gdp7 on defense2 and 7,b7 to examine and report to ,congress on recommendations that will lead to a stronger ,alliance in terms of military capability and readiness across the #bh member states1 with particular focus on the smaller member states2 and 7#aa7 conveys appreciation for the steadfast partnership between ,,nato and the ,united ,states4