Van Hollen, Shaheen, Collins to Introduce Resolution Posthumously Honoring Queen Elizabeth II
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in announcing 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.
The resolution to be introduced by Senators Shaheen and Collins is currently cosponsored in addition to Senator Van Hollen by Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.) and U.S. Senators Durbin (D-Ill.), Warner (D-Va.), 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.), Risch (R-Idaho), 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.).
The resolution can be read in full here and below.
Honoring the life and accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth II and expressing condolences to her family and the United Kingdom on her passing.
Whereas Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on April 21, 1926, to the Duke and Duchess of York;
Whereas, during the Second World War in 1945, then-Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service and became the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member;
Whereas, following the death of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, as sovereign of the United Kingdom;
Whereas Queen Elizabeth II conducted her first state visit to the United States in October 1957, where she met with President Dwight D. Eisenhower;
Whereas, during her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has—
(1) visited the United States on 4 state visits, par- ticipated in 5 state dinners, and conducted 2 unofficial visits; and
(2) met with 13 United States Presidents, more than any other head of state;
Whereas, during her reign, Queen Elizabeth II bore witness to significant scientific and diplomatic advances, such as the first moon landing and the fall of the Berlin Wall;
Whereas, on May 16, 1991, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address Congress, where she celebrated the longstanding partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom;
Whereas Queen Elizabeth II has invited 15 British prime ministers to form a government in her name, bearing witness to historic and enduring political, diplomatic, and economic relations with the United States and mutual allies;
Whereas, during her reign, Queen Elizabeth II witnessed the self-determination of former British colonies around the world;
Whereas His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served the British people and the Commonwealth of Nations alongside Queen Elizabeth II for their 73 years of marriage;
Whereas Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral in Scotland; and
Whereas Queen Elizabeth II, on her passing, was the longest reigning monarch in the history of the British monarchy, serving 70 years, 7 months, and 3 days: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) remembers Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and her more than 70 years of service in support of the British people and the Commonwealth of Nations;
(2) expresses gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II for her efforts to maintain strong bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the United States; and
(3) extends condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and to the peoples of the Commonwealth of Nations.