; Whereas the United States and Germany share a close and multidimensional relationship, including security cooperation and an economic and trade partnership; Whereas the United States and Germany share values of freedom, democracy, and human rights and work together to support and uphold these three pillars globally; Whereas the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall coincides with the 70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the 15th anniversary of the European Union Big Bang , when 10 mostly post-communist countries joined the EU’s community of democracies; Whereas many former Soviet and communist countries are prospering as a result of their democratic and economic reforms, reflected in their memberships in the EU and NATO; and Whereas the fall of the Berlin Wall signified the end of the division of Europe and, ultimately, the triumph of democracy over communism: Now, therefore, be it