news release
from
BARNEY
FRANK
May 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Adamske 202.225.7141
LAWMAKERS SIGN PROCLAMATION
HONORING U.S.-AZOREAN TIES
Five members of Congress, including Congressman
Barney Frank, today released a statement regarding the agreement on
cooperation and defense between the United States and Portugal.
Specifically, the statement recognizes the significant contribution of the
Azores.
Below is the statement signed by Reps. Frank, McGovern, Pombo, Cardozo, and
Costa.
May 12, 2006
STATEMENT TO THE STANDING BILATERAL COMMISSION
REGARDING THE AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION AND DEFENSE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA AND PORTUGAL
Recognizing the historical, economic and cultural ties that exist between
the United States of America and Portugal, and the long lasting alliance
between the two countries,
Recognizing the importance of constantly reinforcing and adapting this
alliance in a era of great change, insecurity, multiple threats and
challenges,
Recognizing the particular contribution of the Autonomous Region of the
Azores to this alliance, in particular, but not only, through the facilities
at Lajes Air Base, in Terceira Island,
Recognizing the significance of the 1995 U.S-Portugal Agreement on Defense
and Cooperation, the spirit of friendship, constant dialogue and mutual
benefit that it entails as well as its endeavor to contribute to the
economic and social development of the parties, and in particular that of
the Autonomous Region of the Azores,
Whereas, since the 19th century, more than 500,000 Azoreans have chosen the
United States to live and prosper, contributing with their work and cultural
diversity to the development and collective enrichment of the country as a
whole, and in particular of the States of Massachusetts, California and
Rhode Island,
Whereas the peoples of both countries constitute the living bridge that
unites them and should be a central piece in the development of initiatives
between them,
Recognizing that possible needed adaptations should not come in detriment of
any of the parts involved in the 1995 U.S-Portugal Agreement on Defense and
Cooperation and should be jointly discussed and agreed in a spirit of
openness and friendship,
We, the undersigned, reiterate our support to the Agreement on Cooperation
and Defense between Portugal and the United States of America in all its
dimensions, and call on all represented at the Standing Bilateral Commission
to continuously
strive to advance the existing alliance in ways that will bring their
peoples further together and enhance their own development, with particular
attention to the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
Signed,
Congressman Barney Frank
Congressman Richard W. Pombo
Congressman Dennis A. Cardoza
Congressman James P. McGovern
Congressman Jim Costa
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