01 November 2001

Senate Resolution Hails U.S.-U.K. Ties

Senator Jesse Helms (Republican of North Carolina) and Senator Zell Miller (Democrat of Georgia) submitted a resolution to the Senate October 30 expressing appreciation to the United Kingdom for its "solidarity and leadership" as an ally, and reaffirming "the special relationship" that exists between the two nations.

Senate Resolution 174 (S. Res. 174) quotes Britain's Prime Minister, who declared after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States that "America is our closest ally and friend. The links between our two peoples are many and close and have been further strengthened over the last few days. We believe in Britain that you stand by your friends in times of trial just as America stood by us."

British military forces, S. Res. 174 notes, "participated in the initial strikes against the Taliban and the Al Qaeda terrorist network and continue to fight side by side with United States forces in this war against terrorism."

The proposed resolution would have the Senate extend "most heartfelt appreciation to the United Kingdom for its unwavering solidarity and leadership as an ally of the United States."

S. Res. 174 also would reaffirm "the special relationship of history, shared values, and common strategic interests that the United States enjoys with the United Kingdom."

The proposed resolution was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Following is the text of Senate Resolution 174 from the Congressional Record:

Mr. MILLER (for himself and Mr. HELMS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

S. Res. 174

Whereas the United Kingdom has been a stalwart and loyal ally to the United States;

Whereas in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, declared that "America is our closest ally and friend. The links between our two peoples are many and close and have been further strengthened over the last few days. We believe in Britain that you stand by your friends in times of trial just as America stood by us";

Whereas the United Kingdom has worked with the United States to build and consolidate an international coalition of countries determined to defeat the scourge of terrorism;

Whereas Prime Minister Tony Blair and other senior officials of the Government of the United Kingdom have personally traveled to foreign capitals, including Moscow, Islamabad, and New Delhi, as part of the effort to build this international coalition; and

Whereas British military forces participated in the initial strikes against the Taliban and the Al Qaeda terrorist network and continue to fight side by side with United States forces in this war against terrorism: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

• extends its most heartfelt appreciation to the United Kingdom for its unwavering solidarity and leadership as an ally of the United States; and

• reaffirms the special relationship of history, shared values, and common strategic interests that the United States enjoys with the United Kingdom.