Dick Lugar: “Today the Senate has taken another step in making Europe whole and free. In June 2001, President Bush delivered a speech…”

“Today the Senate has taken another step in making Europe whole and free. In June 2001, President Bush delivered a speech in Warsaw, Poland confirming that: All of Europe's new democracies, from the Baltic to the Black Sea and all that lie between, should have the same chance for security and freedom--and the same chance to join the institutions of Europe. Today the Senate ratified that vision and has voted overwhelmingly to enlarge the NATO alliance to include seven new members. I would like to thank a number of people for their contributions to this important debate. Jessica Fugate, Kate Burns, and Mike Haltzel worked tirelessly to produce a resolution of ratification and committee report that enjoyed the unanimous support of the Foreign Relations Committee and has been ratified by the Senate. Bob Bradtke, of the Department of State; Kurt Volker, of the National Security Council, and Ian Brzezinski, of the Department of Defense; worked closely with committee staff to ensure strong administration support for the work we have completed today. Lastly, special thanks to Paul Gallis, of the Congressional Research Service, for his valuable contributions to the Committee's work and the Senate's review of the Protocols of Accession. I especially thank the distinguished ranking member from Delaware, Senator Biden, for his cooperation and leadership on this important issue.”