[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 102 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.102
                                      Agreed to November 3, 1999        

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
   the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas the Geneva Conventions of 1949 set basic humane standards of 
  behavior during armed conflict, and are the major written source of 
  international humanitarian law;

Whereas these Conventions prescribe humane treatment for civilian 
  populations, wounded, sick and shipwrecked military personnel, and 
  prisoners of war during armed conflict;

Whereas these Conventions recognize the International Committee of the 
  Red Cross as an independent and neutral organization whose 
  humanitarian mission is to protect and assist civilians, prisoners of 
  war, and other victims of armed conflict;

Whereas ``the red cross in a field of white'' is not an ordinary 
  organizational symbol, but one to which the international community 
  has granted the ability to impose restraint during war and to protect 
  human life;

Whereas the American Red Cross and its sister national societies are 
  members of a world-wide organization rooted in the provisions of 
  international humanitarian law and dedicated to the promulgation of 
  its principles, among which are the Geneva Conventions of 1949;

Whereas the international programs of the American Red Cross bring 
  relief from natural and manmade disasters abroad, contribute to the 
  development of nonprofit relief organizations abroad, and include the 
  teaching of international humanitarian law throughout the United 
  States;

Whereas many domestic programs of the Red Cross in health and safety, 
  disaster, blood, youth, and service to the members of the Armed 
  Forces of the United States grew out of a response to armed conflict;

Whereas, thanks to the efforts of Clara Barton and Frederick Douglass, 
  the United States ratified in 1882 the first convention for the 
  amelioration of the condition of wounded and sick members of the 
  armed forces in the field;

Whereas in 1955 the United States ratified the Geneva Conventions of 
  1949; and

Whereas the Geneva Conventions of 1949 are among the most universally 
  ratified treaties in the world: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

    The Congress--
        (1) recognizes the historic and humanitarian significance of 
    the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and celebrates the 50th anniversary 
    of the signing of these treaties;
        (2) exhorts combatants everywhere to respect the red cross 
    emblem in order to protect innocent and vulnerable populations on 
    every side of conflicts;
        (3) commends the International Committee of the Red Cross and 
    the more than 175 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, 
    including the American Red Cross, on their continuing work in 
    providing relief and assistance to the victims of war as prescribed 
    by these Conventions;
        (4) applauds the Promise of Humanity gathering organized by the 
    American Red Cross in 1999 in Washington, D.C., as an important 
    reminder of our responsibilities to educate future generations 
    about the principles of international humanitarian law;
        (5) commends the efforts of the International Committee of the 
    Red Cross and the more than 175 national Red Cross and Red Crescent 
    societies, including the American Red Cross, for their work in 
    educating the world's citizens about the humanitarian principles of 
    international humanitarian law as embodied in the Geneva 
    Conventions of 1949;
        (6) invites the American Red Cross during this anniversary year 
    to assist Congress in educating its Members and staff about the 
    Geneva Conventions of 1949;
        (7) supports the anniversary theme of the International 
    Committee of the Red Cross that ``Even War Has Limits''; and
        (8) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation 
    recognizing the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and 
    recognizing the Conventions themselves as critically important 
    instruments for protecting human dignity in times of armed conflict 
    and limiting the savagery of war.

SEC. 2. GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949 DEFINED.

    In this concurrent resolution, the term ``Geneva Conventions of 
1949'' means the following conventions, done at Geneva in 1949:
        (1) Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the 
    Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (6 UST 3114).
        (2) Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of 
    Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of the Armed Forces at Sea (6 
    UST 3217).
        (3) Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (6 
    UST 3316).
        (4) Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian 
    Persons in Time of War (6 UST 3516).
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.