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Whereas the United States-Brazil MOU involves technology

sharing between the United States and Brazil, feasibility studies and technical assistance to build domestic biofuels industries in third countries, and multilateral efforts to advance the global development of biofuels;

Whereas the first countries targeted for United States-Brazilian technical assistance are the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, and St. Kitts and Nevis;

Whereas United States President George W. Bush and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva have met twice in 2007 as visible examples of the expanding warm relations and close ties between the United States and Brazil;

Whereas the United States and Brazil are the two largest and most diverse democracies in the Western Hemisphere;

Whereas Brazil-through its leadership of the United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) in Haiti and other achievements-has emerged as a regional leader in the Western Hemisphere; and

Whereas Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the United States looks to Brazil as a “regional leader and a global partner": Now, therefore, be it

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Resolved, That the House of Representatives

(1) recognizes that the United States and Brazil have arrived at the point of a strategic con

fluence of interests and urges President George W.

Bush to continue to deepen the bilateral relationship

between the two countries;

•HRES 651 IH

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(2) recognizes Brazil's role as a leader in the

Western Hemisphere and commends its leadership of

the United Nations

Stabilization Mission

(MINUSTAH) in Haiti;

(3) commends Brazil for successfully diversifying its energy resources and reducing its depend

ence on oil;

(4) recognizes that the United States has arrived at the point of a strategic confluence of interests with Brazil and welcomes continued develop

ment in the bilateral relationship between the two

countries;

(5) strongly supports the March 9, 2007, United States-Brazil Memorandum of Under

standing (MOU) on biofuels as a major step forward

in bilateral relations, hemispheric integration, and

energy diversification;

(6) commends joint efforts by the United States and Brazil for their commitment to use expertise to

provide technical assistance for biofuels industries in

third countries, currently including the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, and St. Kitts and Nevis; and

(7) encourages United States and Brazilian officials to quickly identify additional countries in the

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H.L.C.

[Comittee Print]

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007

[Showing the Amendment Adopted by the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on September 19, 2007]

110TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION

H. RES. 651

Recognizing the warm friendship and expanding strategic relationship between the United States and Brazil, commending Brazil on successfully reducing its dependence on oil by finding alternative ways to satisfy its energy needs, and recognizing the importance of the March 9, 2007, United States-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on biofuels cooperation.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 17, 2007

Mr. ENGEL (for himself and Mr. BURTON of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs [Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed in roman] [For the text of the introduced resolution, see copy of the resolution as introduced on September 17, 2007]

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the warm friendship and expanding strategic relationship between the United States and Brazil, commending Brazil on successfully reducing its dependence on oil by finding alternative ways to satisfy its energy needs, and recognizing the importance of the March 9,

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H.L.C.

2007, United States-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on biofuels cooperation.

Whereas following the oil shock of the early 1970s, Brazil

chose to reduce its energy vulnerability by choosing sugar-based ethanol to diversify its energy sector and power its automobiles;

Whereas with large private and public investments and support from the World Bank, Brazil greatly expanded the amount of sugarcane it produced and began large-scale construction of alcohol distilleries to process sugar into ethanol;

Whereas decades of state investment have helped Brazil become the world's largest consumer and producer of ethanol from sugar cane;

Whereas ethanol supplies 40 percent of the motor fuel used in Brazil and is extremely competitive with gasoline;

Whereas the transition towards biofuels will have a positive impact on the environment and will help reduce greenhouse gases;

Whereas by the end of 2006, 80 percent of new car sales in Brazil were flex-fuel, meaning that they can run on ethanol, gasoline, or any mixture of both;

Whereas Brazil stands out as the leading example of a country that has diversified its energy supply and become a net exporter of energy, in large part by increasing its use and production of alternative energy sources, including ethanol;

Whereas putting the United States on a path toward ending its addiction to oil, as Brazil has done, by investing in clean alternative energy sources is essential in protecting

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