Mr. GILMAN. Are there any other Members in the room who have not been recorded? Mr. GILMAN. The clerk will report the tally. Ms. BLOOMER. On this vote there were 32 ayes and 1 no. Mr. GILMAN. The motion to report is adopted. Without objection, the Chairman is authorized to move to go to conference, pursuant to House Rule 22. Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming changes. Pursuant to notice, I now call up bill H. Con. Res. 273, reaffirming the special relationship between the United States and the Republic of Philippines, for purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution is deemed read. [The concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 273, follows:] 107TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 273 Reaffirming the special relationship between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. IV IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOVEMBER 16, 2001 Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself and Mr. GILMAN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Reaffirming the special relationship between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. Whereas the United States and the Republic of the Philippines have shared a special relationship of mutual benefit for more than 100 years; Whereas 2001 marks the 50th anniversary of the United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, signed at Washington on August 30, 1951 (3 UST 3947); Whereas since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Philippines has been among the most steadfast friends of the United States during a time of grief and turmoil, offering heartfelt sympathy and support; 2 Whereas after the United States launched its war of self-defense in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo immediately announced her Government's unwavering support for the operation, calling it "the start of a just offensive"; Whereas during United States operations in Afghanistan, the Government of the Philippines has made all of its military installations available to the United States Armed Forces for transit, refueling, resupply, and staging operations; Whereas this assistance provided by the Philippines has proved highly valuable in the prosecution of the war in Afghanistan, as acknowledged by the Commander-inChief of United States Forces in the Pacific; Whereas the Philippines also faces grave terrorist threats from the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People's Army, the National Democratic Front, and the radical Abu Sayaff group, as well as an armed secessionist movement, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; Whereas the Abu Sayaff group has historical ties to Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network, and has engaged in hundreds of act of terrorism in the Philippines, including bombings, arson, and kidnappings; Whereas in May 2001, Abu Sayaff kidnapped United States citizens Martin Burnham, Gracia Burnham, and Guillermo Sobero, along with several Filipinos; Whereas Abu Sayaff killed Mr. Sobero and continues to detain Martin Burnham and Gracia Burnham; and Whereas the United States and the Philippines are com mitted to each other's security pursuant to the Mutual Defense Treaty: Now, therefore, be it •HCON 273 IH 1 3 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 2 concurring), That Congress— (1) expresses its deepest gratitude to the Government and people of the Philippines for their sym pathy and support since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States; (2) expresses its sympathy to the current and recent Filipino victims of terrorism and their families; 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 assist in addressing those needs. (3) affirms the commitment of the United States to the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty; (4) supports the Government of the Philippines in its efforts to prevent and suppress terrorism; and (5) acknowledges the economic and military needs of the Philippines and pledges to continue to •HCON 273 IH |