[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Con. Res. 236 Referred in Senate (RFS)] 1st Session H. CON. RES. 236 _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 8, 2007 Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations _______________________________________________________________________ CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the close relationship between the United States and the Republic of San Marino. Whereas the Republic of San Marino is the oldest republic in the world; Whereas the Republic of San Marino was founded by those fleeing the religious persecution of the Roman Empire, and has adhered to the principles of tolerance and individual liberty throughout its history; Whereas the United States and the Republic of San Marino have long held close ties based on common interests and common values; Whereas the special bond between the Republic of San Marino and the United States was first expressed nearly a century and a half ago in an exchange of letters between President Abraham Lincoln and the Captains Regent of San Marino; Whereas President Lincoln expressed in his letter his deep respect for the Republic of San Marino as ``one of the most honored in all of history'' and took encouragement from its example that a ``government founded on republican principles is capable of being so administered as to be secure and enduring''; Whereas the Republic of San Marino has been a steadfast ally of the United States in many international organizations, such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund; Whereas the Republic of San Marino has been a close collaborator on a number of key economic issues, such as the protection of intellectual property; Whereas the Republic of San Marino has been a close collaborator in the fight against terrorism, including efforts to combat international terrorist financing; Whereas through its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Republic of San Marino has worked to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue; Whereas earlier this year, the United States and the Republic of San Marino upgraded their diplomatic relations to ambassador-level, and exchanged the first bilateral Ambassadors in our history; Whereas Paolo Rondelli, the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of San Marino to the United States, presented his credentials to President Bush at a ceremony at the White House on July 25, 2007; and Whereas the Honorable Ronald P. Spogli presented credentials to the Captains Regent (co-Heads of State) in a ceremony in San Marino's Palazzo Publico on March 8, 2007: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-- (1) recognizes the close relationship between the United States and the Republic of San Marino; (2) expresses its deep gratitude to the Republic of San Marino for its close collaboration and support in issues of critical importance to our economic and national security interests; and (3) commemorates the first bilateral exchange of Ambassadors in the history of our long relationship. Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2007. Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, Clerk.