SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 967

WHEREAS, In the five years following World War II, Europe's economy was prostrate, its political institutions were greatly weakened, and it faced the prospect of a third world war; and

WHEREAS, On May 9, 1950, Robert Shuman, the French foreign minister, published a declaration on the need to preserve peace and increase prosperity by creating a common economic foundation that marked the beginning of the European Union; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community, which was the first pillar of European unity; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty formally integrated the European Union by creating the second and third pillars of common foreign and security policy and police and judicial cooperation; and

WHEREAS, The European Union includes 27 member nations and has adopted procedures for the orderly accession of new members; it has established a parliament and a judicial system and has normalized trade and monetary policy among its members; and

WHEREAS, The European Union has promoted peace and prosperity for its members and gives hope to all people of the world that governments will follow the rule of law, provide security for their citizens, and avoid war; and

WHEREAS, In the countries of the European Union, May 9 is recognized as "Europe Day" and as a time for celebration of the European Union's accomplishments and for reflection upon the challenges that lie ahead; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby join citizens of the countries of the European Union in observing May 9, 2007, as Europe Day.

Van de Putte

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 9, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate