119-hres156

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 156 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 156

 Honoring the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Guam and the 
 Republic of the Philippines under the State Partnership Program.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 February 24, 2025

 Mr. Moylan submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
 Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
 Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
 within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Honoring the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Guam and the 
 Republic of the Philippines under the State Partnership Program.

Whereas, on July 4, 1946, the United States and the Philippines have maintained 
 enduring diplomatic relations, founded on the basis of security and 
 economic interests, alongside close bonds between our two nations;
Whereas the State Partnership Program supports the security cooperation 
 objectives of the United States by carrying out activities to strengthen 
 partner capacity and enhance United States relations, while increasing 
 the readiness of the United States and partner forces to meet evolving 
 security challenges in the Indo-Pacific;
Whereas, since February 18, 2000, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam 
 National Guard have maintained an enduring partnership under the State 
 Partnership Program;
Whereas the United States Indo-Pacific Command, serving as the primary 
 Geographic Combatant Command for the Guam National Guard and the Armed 
 Forces of the Philippines, has provided oversight and support for the 
 State Partnership Program;
Whereas the Philippines was the first established USPACOM partner country in 
 collaboration with Guam and Hawaii;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam National Guard's State 
 Partnership Program aims to foster regional friendship, strengthen 
 mutual understanding, and promote regional security in the Indo-Pacific;
Whereas, over the past 25 years, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the 
 Guam National Guard have collaborated in joint training exercises, 
 including disaster risk management and emergency response, and critical 
 infrastructure projects, and in recent years, the Guam National Guard 
 has provided the Armed Forces of the Philippines with information on 
 Guam's Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program in order to assist the 
 Armed Forces of the Philippines in crafting its own program;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam National Guard's State 
 Partnership Program enables a strengthened United States military 
 presence in the Philippines through the increased rotation of United 
 States military personnel and assistance devoted to strengthening the 
 territorial defense and humanitarian and maritime operations of the 
 Philippines;
Whereas, from June 6-10 2024, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam 
 National Guard's State Partnership Program conducted a joint mass-
 casualty field training exercise;
Whereas, on June 15, 2023, Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
 conducted a joint mass-casualty exercise with the Guam National Guard's 
 State Partnership Program on Mactan Island, Philippines;
Whereas, on September 14, 2014, a turnover ceremony was held for infrastructures 
 devasted by natural disasters and subsequently rebuilt through the joint 
 efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Guam National Guard, 
 and the Hawaii National Guard, under the State Partnership Program;
Whereas these exercises have strategic value for the United States and the 
 Philippines, increase confidence in the alliance, and provide 
 opportunities for operational cooperation to advance shared security 
 priorities;
Whereas the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Guam National Guard's State 
 Partnership Program serves as a deterrent against increasing aggression 
 by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea;
Whereas the 25th anniversary of this partnership serves as a testament to the 
 success of the State Partnership Program in enhancing United States-
 Philippine relations, promoting regional security, and ensuring our 
 shared commitment of a free and open Indo-Pacific; and
Whereas the Republic of the Philippines has been recognized with awards for 
 joint military operations carried out in cooperation with the United 
 States, and acts of heroism and service: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) recognizes the cooperation and beneficial relationship 
 between the Republic of the Philippines and the State of Guam 
 and the steadfast partnership between the Republic of the 
 Philippines and the United States over the past 25 years 
 through the State Partnership Program;

    (2) expresses appreciation for the commitment of the Armed 
 Forces of the Republic of the Philippines to the Guam National 
 Guard in advancing peace, stability, and mutual understanding;

    (3) expresses continued support for the State Partnership 
 Program between the Territory of Guam and the Republic of the 
 Philippines;

    (4) commends the Republic of the Philippines for increasing 
 its cooperation in regional security, including collaboration 
 that may enhance regional defense posture;

    (5) highlights the strengths of defense cooperation, 
 capability development, and the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with 
 the Philippines; and

    (6) expresses support for possible State Partnership 
 Programs between the Republic of the Philippines and other 
 States and Territories of the United States, to bolster the 
 efforts of the State Partnership Program between the territory 
 of Guam and the Republic of the Philippines.
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