2025 House Resolution 54

Whereas, Seventy-six years ago, on April 4th, 1949, the United States of America, alongside the governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom signed the Washington Treaty establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and

Whereas, NATO was founded to ensure collective security in North America and Europe, in recognition of the shared destiny of the free and democratic nations within the North Atlantic region; and

Whereas, April 4 has been celebrated by the allies and used to promote public appreciation for the importance of the Transatlantic alliance and collective security; and

Whereas, The alliance has provided a necessary forum for allies to consult and cooperate with on issues of collective defense and security, including solving complex geopolitical challenges, while standing as a beacon of freedom and liberty across the globe; and

Whereas, NATO has successfully deterred aggression towards its members by upholding Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that the allies agree that an attack against one ally shall be considered an attack on all; and

Whereas, The NATO forces came to the defense of the United States of America following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 – the only time in history when Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty has been invoked; and

Whereas, Allied soldiers fought valiantly alongside American men and women in Afghanistan, as well as important missions in the Balkans, Libya, and the Horn of Africa; and

Whereas, NATO has welcomed additional allies over its 76-year history, with the accession of the Kingdom of Sweden to the alliance in March 2024 bringing the total to 32; and

Whereas, Michiganders have bravely served in the United States Armed Forces and fought for the liberty and safety of all Michigan residents alongside our NATO allies; and

Whereas, Michigan’s robust defense manufacturing industry is a critical component of Transatlantic security, as it continues to provide cutting edge technology, munitions, and armaments to support the operations of the United States Armed Forces as well as the armed forces of our NATO allies; and

Whereas, Michiganders are safer and freer today as a result of the United States of America’s role as a founding member of NATO; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 4, 2025, as North Atlantic Treaty Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Mission to NATO in Brussels, Belgium.