,,iii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #ic ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #bc1 #bjag ,mrs4 ,shaheen 7for herself and ,mr4 ,mc,cain7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,,resolution ,congratulating the ,european ,union on the #fjth anniversary of the signing of the ,treaty of ,rome1 which established the ,european ,economic ,community and laid the foundation for decades of ,european peace and prosperity4 ,whereas #f ,european countries signed the ,treaty of ,rome on ,march #be1 #aieg1 creating the ,european ,economic ,community1 which established a customs union and common market among the signatory countries in order to foster economic cooperation and interdependence2 ,whereas the ,united ,states welcomed and supported this ,european economic integration1 recognizing that this kind of union would promote interdependence and therefore prevent future war and conflict2 ,whereas this economic integration has broadened and evolved into the ,european ,union1 a unique political and economic union covering much of the ,european continent and based on the principles of rule of law and representative democracy1 which has pursued common policies in economic1 security1 diplomatic1 and political areas and has helped bring unprecedented peace and stability to ,europe and its neighbors2 ,whereas ,european integration has been essential in opening and expanding markets1 strengthening the rule of law and respect for basic freedoms1 and fostering democracy in ,europe itself1 both in ,european ,union members and aspiring nations2 ,whereas1 since ,world ,war ,,ii1 the ,united ,states has firmly supported and been an active partner in the ,european integration project1 working with ,europe to rebuild its war-torn continent through the ,marshall ,plan and to create an ,atlantic security alliance built on shared values and ideals1 the ,north ,atlantic ,treaty ,organization 7,,nato71 to permanently prevent the kind of conflict we had just endured2 ,whereas the ,united ,states and ,europe have since engaged in a close and robust ,transatlantic partnership1 constructed on a strong foundation of shared values and commitment to democracy1 freedom and the rule of law1 to the benefit of the ,united ,states1 ,europe1 and the rest of the world2 ,whereas a strong ,united ,states-,european ,union partnership has helped build our mutual economies1 ensured unprecedented peace in ,europe1 and remains essential to creating a freer1 safer1 and more prosperous and more interconnected world2 ,whereas the ,transatlantic economy is the world's largest and wealthiest market and the single most important driver of global economic growth and prosperity1 with the ,united ,states and ,european ,union together accounting for over half of the world's gross domestic product 7,,gdp71 generating #e1ejj1jjj1jjj1jjj in yearly commercial sales and employing up to #ae1jjj1jjj workers in domestic jobs on both sides of the ,atlantic2 ,whereas mutual investment is the backbone of the ,transatlantic economy1 and the ,united ,states and ,europe are each other's primary source and destination for ,foreign ,direct ,investment 7,,fdi72 ,whereas the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union are each other's largest trading partners1 and ,united ,states-,european ,union trade totaled approximately #fhg1jjj1jjj1jjj during #bjaf1 almost double the level at the beginning of the century2 ,whereas the ,transatlantic economy drives innovation1 with the ,united ,states and ,european ,union investing more in mutual ,research and ,development than any other #b international partners and collaborating across areas of science and technology1 including marine and ,arctic science1 transportation and energy technologies1 and health research2 ,whereas this historic partnership goes far beyond economic and commercial ties1 and the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union work together to promote peace and stability1 protect human rights1 foster democracy and sustainable development1 combat global threats like terrorism1 and eradicate disease and poverty2 ,whereas the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union have developed numerous mechanisms to strengthen the ,transatlantic relationship and to improve communication and collaboration among our respective governments1 including annual ,european ,union-,united ,states ,summit meetings and the ,transatlantic ,legislators' ,dialogue1 which facilitates meetings between members of the ,european ,parliament and the ,united ,states ,congress on issues of mutual concern2 ,whereas1 despite representing approximately #ab percent of the world's population1 the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union together provide more than three-quarters of official development assistance worldwide and have established an ongoing ,development ,dialogue to improve the quality and effectiveness of development aid2 ,whereas the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union collaborate to promote peace and stability and prevent conflict around the world1 working together to address conflicts including those in ,syria and ,ukraine and confront global security challenges like terrorism1 nuclear weapons proliferation1 transnational crime1 and cybercrime2 ,whereas1 in pursuit of an integrated1 free1 and peaceful ,europe1 the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union have worked together to promote peace1 stability1 and prosperity in the ,balkans and to advance their cooperation with and integration into institutions like ,,nato and the ,european ,union4 ,whereas1 in response to its annexation of ,crimea and continued aggression in the sovereign nation of ,ukraine1 the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union imposed and have maintained sanctions to increase the diplomatic and financial costs on the ,russian ,federation for its illegal actions2 ,whereas1 in the face of ongoing threats from terrorism1 the ,united ,states and the ,european ,union cooperate closely to target terrorist financing1 secure transportation and borders1 provide mutual assistance with cross-border investigations and extraditions1 and share information2 and ,whereas leaders on both sides of the ,atlantic have long recognized the value of and expressed their commitment to the ,transatlantic partnership1 including-- 7#a7 ,president ,john ,f4 ,kennedy1 who said in #aifb that we do not regard a strong and united ,europe as a rival but as a partner1 and asserted that the ,united ,states believed that a united ,europe will be capable of playing a greater role in the common defense1 of responding more generously to the needs of poorer nations1 of joining with the ,united ,states and others in lowering trade barriers1 resolving problems of commerce1 commodities1 and currency1 and developing coordinated policies in all economic1 political1 and diplomatic areas2 7#b7 ,president ,ronald ,reagan1 who addressed the ,european ,parliament in #aihe to reaffirm to the people of ,europe the constancy of the ,american purpose and to state that ,america remains ''' dedicated to the unity of ,europe and is at your side today1 because1 like you1 we have not veered from the ideals of the ,west--the ideals of freedom1 liberty1 and peace2 7#c7 ,president ,barack ,obama1 who stated in a #bjaf address in ,germany that the ,united ,states1 and the entire world1 needs a strong and prosperous and democratic and united ,europe ''' because ,europe's security and prosperity is inherently indivisible from our own and recognized that ,europe helps to uphold the norms and rules that can maintain peace and promote prosperity around the world2 and 7#d7 ,vice ,president ,mike ,pence1 who asserted that our two continents share the same heritage1 the same values and above all1 the same purpose to promote peace and prosperity through freedom1 democracy and the rule of law and reiterated that the ,united ,states will stand with ,europe1 today and every day1 while traveling in ,europe in ,february #bjag3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 congratulates the ,european ,union and its member states on the #fjth anniversary of the historic signing of the ,treaty of ,rome2 7#b7 commends the ,european ,union for its critical role in spreading peace1 prosperity1 and stability throughout ,europe and worldwide1 as well as its close and enduring partnership with the ,united ,states2 7#c7 recognizes the challenges the ,european ,union1 its ,transatlantic partners1 and the broader global community continue to face1 including an unprecedented migration and refugee crisis1 increased ,russian aggression and interference1 violent extremism1 and the rise of nationalist and populist sentiment2 and 7#d7 affirms the desire of the ,united ,states ,government to strengthen the ,transatlantic partnership with the ,european ,union and its member states4