BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last week joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in introducing a resolution honoring Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The resolution pays tribute to the Queen’s historic legacy and her 70-year reign, expresses condolences to her family and citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and reaffirms U.S. commitment to its close alliance with the United Kingdom.
“It is rare that history sees a figure quite like Queen Elizabeth. She dedicated her life to her people, placed country above self, and furthered the U.S.-UK relationship in a way that will be felt for generations to come,” said Risch. “As the world mourns her loss, I’m glad to join my Senate colleagues in this resolution expressing sincere condolences to the royal family, as well as the people of the Untied Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and recognizing the profound accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth during her 70-year reign.”
“I remember watching Queen Elizabeth’s coronation as a child as the world bore witness to a 25-year old woman inheriting the colossal responsibility of providing strength and fortitude to her country in the shadow of World War II. She shouldered that responsibility with a unique balance of tenacity and grace for more than seventy years,” said Shaheen. “As we look back at her historic reign, the U.S. Senate offers this resolution to honor Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her legacy that is etched into our collective global history. She was a steadfast leader to the people of the United Kingdom during the most tumultuous of times, from wars to humanitarian crises, economic turmoil and much more. She advised fifteen Prime Ministers and participated in diplomatic activities with countless representatives around the world. And throughout her reign, she furthered the close and important U.S.-U.K. relationship, which continues to be pivotal today as we face down global security challenges together, as partners. Our resolution pays homage to her service to the U.K. and the global community that she helped shape for seven decades. My thoughts are with her family, citizens of the U.K. and all those mourning her passing.”
“For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II has been a source of strength and stability for one of America’s greatest allies,” said Collins. “Her historic reign was defined by her dignity, character, and devotion to duty. She will be deeply missed, but her faithful service and leadership will be long remembered.”
The resolution can be read in full here.
The resolution is currently cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.) and U.S. Senators Durbin (D-Ill.), Warner (D-Va.), Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cornyn (R-Texas), Murray (D-Wash.), Coons (D-Del.), Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Leahy (D-Vt.), Padilla (D-Calif.), Feinstein (D-Calif.), Warnock (D-Ga.), Menendez (D-N.J.), Stabenow (D-Mich.), Lujan (D-N.M.), Rubio (R-Fla.), Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cardin (D-Md.), Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Hassan (D-N.H.), Capito (R-W.Va.), Fischer (R-Neb.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Booker (D-N.J.), Murphy (D-Conn.), Kaine (D-Va.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Smith (D-Minn.), Bennet (D-Colo.), Moran (R-Kan.), Reed (D-R.I.), Merkley (D-Ore.), Cassidy (R-La.), Marshall (R-Kan.), Graham (R-S.C.), Shelby (R-Ala.), Blunt (R-Mo.), Crapo (R-Idaho), Portman (R-Ohio), Hawley (R-Mo.), Wicker (R-Miss.) Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Johnson (R-Wis.) and Cramer (R-N.D).
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