Brown also announced the honorary Knighthood of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) on behalf of the Queen. Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, was not present at Brown's address. 

"Northern Ireland today is at peace," he said. "More Americans have health care, children around the world are going to school, and for all those things we owe a great debt to the life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy."

Brown thanked President Barack Obama for "his leadership, his friendship, and for giving the whole world renewed hope in itself." Brown called America "the irrepressable nation," for its ability to lead "insurrections in the human imagination" and for the belief that there is "no such thing as an impossible endeavour."

"It is never possible to come here without having your faith in the future renewed," said Brown.

The British prime minister is the first European leader to visit the White House under the Obama administration, and Brown dedicated his congressional address to honoring a friendship that has been "formed and forged over two tumultuous centuries." Brown also stressed that the relationship between Great Britain and the United States is "not an alliance of convenience, but a partnership of purpose."

"Alliances can wither or be destroyed, but partnerships of purpose are indestructible, said Brown. "Friendships can be shaken, but our friendship is unshakeable. Treaties can be broken but our partnership is unbreakable. And I know there is no power on earth than can drive us apart."

Some of the significant points made in Brown's address:

• Brown thanked America for its valor in World War II:
  

"Throughout a whole century the American people stood liberty's ground not just in one world war but in two. And I want you to know that we will never forget the sacrifice and service of the American soldiers who gave their lives for people whose names they never knew, and whose faces they never saw, and yet people who have lived in freedom thanks to the bravery and valour of the Americans who gave the 'last full measure of devotion.'"

• Brown promised to continue to aid global anti-terrorism efforts:

"And let me promise you our continued support to ensure there is no hiding place for terrorists, no safe haven for terrorism. You should be proud that in the hard years since 2001 you have shown that while terrorists may destroy buildings and even, tragically, lives, they have not, and will not ever, destroy the American spirit."

• Brown noted that the U.K. and the U.S. will continue to work in partnership for peace in the Middle East:

"We will work tirelessly with you as partners for peace in the Middle East: for a two state solution that provides for nothing less than a secure Israel safe within its borders existing side by side with a viable Palestinian state."

• Brown extended a "shared message" to Iran:

"And our shared message to Iran is simple - we are ready for you to rejoin the world community. But first, you must cease your threats and suspend your nuclear programme. And we will work tirelessly with all those in the international community who are ready to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation."
 

• Brown referred to the "economic hurricane" sweeping the world:

"We need to understand what went wrong in this crisis, that the very financial instruments that were designed to diversify risk across the banking system instead spread contagion across the globe. And today's financial institutions are so interwoven that a bad bank anywhere is a threat to good banks everywhere."

• Brown asked for both countries to avoid "protectionism:"

"So should we succumb to a race to the bottom and a protectionism that history tells us that, in the end, protects no-one? No. We should have the confidence that we can seize the opportunities ahead and make the future work for us."

• Brown asked America to "seize the moment" and work more closely with Europe:

"You now have the most pro-American European leadership in living memory. A leadership that wants to cooperate more closely together, in order to cooperate more closely with you. There is no old Europe, no new Europe, there is only your friend Europe."

To watch the entire speech, visit the BBC.