[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13] [House] [Pages 18380-18381] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]{time} 1920 COMMENDING THE MARSHALL CENTER Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 528) commending the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 528 Whereas The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (the Marshall Center), a joint partnership of the United States and German governments located in the German city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is a world-renowned international security and defense studies institute promoting dialogue and understanding among the nations of North America, Europe, and Eurasia; Whereas since its inception in 1993, the Marshall Center has sought to advance the legacy, goals, and ideals of the 1948-1951 Marshall Plan by advancing democratic institutions, promoting peaceful security cooperation, and enhancing partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, and Eurasia; Whereas the Marshall Center has played and continues to play a critical role in fostering the peaceful transition to stable democratic governance in the formerly communist states of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia by developing and expanding defense and security cooperation between these countries and North America and Western Europe; Whereas today, the security of the United States remains inseparably linked to the peace and stability of Europe and Eurasia; Whereas the United States and Europe face an array of new and emerging security challenges ranging from transnational terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons to regional and local conflicts and failing and failed states; Whereas successful resolution of these 21st century security challenges will require strong transatlantic cooperation and international, interagency, and interdisciplinary responses; Whereas through its tailored educational and outreach programs in areas ranging from transnational terrorism and post-conflict stability operations to advanced security studies, the Marshall Center prepares leaders from North America, Europe, and Eurasia to address emerging security challenges and to forge a 21st century security environment defined by peace and cooperation; Whereas the Marshall Center's programs play a vital role in building support for United States and German defense and security policy and strategies, and fostering understanding and support among friends and allies to combat transnational terrorism and other security threats and to transform national defense establishments to effectively meet the array of 21st century security challenges; Whereas to date, general officers, members of parliament, ministers, ambassadors, and other high-ranking government officials from over 100 countries have benefited from the Marshall Center's unique programs; and Whereas the United States House of Representatives' delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) visited the Marshall Center in February 2009, recognizes the importance of the Center's work, and seeks to support the Center's efforts by engaging in constructive dialogue with parliamentarians from NATO member and associate and observer states on key transatlantic security issues: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) commends the Marshall Center for its efforts to promote peace, stability, and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia; (2) expresses appreciation for the strong partnership between the United States and German governments in advancing their mutual national security interests through the Marshall Center's programs; (3) expresses appreciation to Marshall Center Director Dr. John P. Rose and his outstanding faculty and staff for their hard work and commitment to advancing the Center's mission; (4) notes that the security of the United States remains inseparably linked to peace and stability on the European continent; and (5) reaffirms its commitment to promoting transatlantic cooperation through international collaborative educational programs such as those offered by the Marshall Center. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee. General Leave Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Tennessee? There was no objection. Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This resolution goes hand in glove with the one that we just took up. It commends the George Marshall European Center for Security Studies. Last [[Page 18381]] year when we visited the NATO School in Oberammergau, we went then to the Marshall Center, which is located in Garmisch not far from Oberammergau, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, to highlight our interest as Members of Congress in what was happening and taking place in both the NATO School and in the Marshall Center there. The Marshall Center was formed in 1993 as a German-American partnership. The Marshall Center is a world-renowned international security and defense studies institute with the mission of creating a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships, especially in the field of defense; promoting peaceful security cooperation; and strengthening partnerships among nations of North America, Europe, and Eurasia. It is named after the legacy and vision of General George C. Marshall. The Marshall Plan, as we all remember after World War II, was a highly successful event, and the Marshall Center has a variety of unique courses and programs which involve officials from more than 110 countries. The center contributes, in our view, to the national strategy of security cooperation throughout the region through professional education and research, dialogue, and detailed and thoughtful examination of issues that confront nations today. I am proud of recognizing these institutions, particularly the NATO School and the Marshall Center, because I think it is very important now in this uncertain time internationally, and we have been talking about it now for 30 minutes about the uncertainty in the world today, that we, as the United States House of Representatives, recognize and applaud what is taking place there in Germany in these two institutions. I think it is time well spent for us to debate, and the critical role that the Marshall Center is playing, particularly in fostering peaceful transitions and stable democracy in the former Warsaw Pact communist states of Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, is particularly important today. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 528, a measure that commends the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its efforts to promote peace, stability, and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia. The Marshall Center, located in Germany, is named after George C. Marshall, a general in the United States Army, who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff during World War II, and later as our country's Secretary of State under President Harry Truman. General Marshall is most remembered for his role in formulating the famous Marshall Plan, which sought to help rebuild and strengthen war- torn Western Europe after World War II. The center, established in 1993, plays a significant role in helping the formerly communist countries of Europe and Eurasia to strengthen their democratic institutions while developing security cooperation with the other countries in the trans-Atlantic community. Thousands of leading officers from dozens of different countries have participated in programs and courses at the Marshall Center focusing on common security threats, the building of defense institutions, and the fostering of partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, and Eurasia. Through its program, the Marshall Center also serves as an important tool in strengthening partnerships aimed at addressing new and emerging security challenges, including the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Among other things, this resolution commends the Marshall Center for its work in promoting peace, stability, and security throughout North America, Europe, and Eurasia. I support this bipartisan measure and urge my colleagues on both sides to support it as well. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. POE of Texas. Before I yield back the balance of my time, I want to commend Mr. Tanner for this resolution and the previous resolution, and his long-time work with NATO and his 22 years' experience here in the House of Representatives, much of that time serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee. I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 528, which commends the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies for its valuable contributions to international peace and security throughout Post-Soviet Europe and Asia. This important measure honors the Marshall Center for promoting regional stability through a new generation of military and civilian leaders; commends its Director, Dr. John P. Rose; and strengthens the bonds between America and its allies as we work to ensure global peace and prosperity. I thank Chairman Berman for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor and for his dedication to promoting effective foreign policy that meets the challenges of an ever-changing world. I also applaud Congressman Tanner for sponsoring this legislation. This resolution is emblematic of his commitment to transatlantic security cooperation, a cause he has championed both as a Member of Congress and as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Speaker, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, the Marshall Center, was established in 1993. It is an institute dedicated to security and defense studies tailored to advancing post-Cold War democracies in Europe and Central Asia. As a joint partnership of the United States and German governments, the Marshall Center stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration. Alumni of the Marshall Center serve as military officers, ambassadors, government ministers, and elected officials in over 100 countries. Carried by the spirit of the Marshall Plan, which rebuilt Europe following World War II, the Marshall Center has created a new generation of leaders fully prepared to tackle the most important security issues facing Europe, Asia, and North America. Mr. Speaker, since World War II, the security of the United States has been intimately connected to the stability of Europe and Eurasia. Many of my constituents fought bravely overseas to protect and promote this stability. We owe it to our veterans and to future generations to continue working for global security; the Marshall Center is a crucial part of this effort. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 528. Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 528. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn. ____________________