[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 290 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 290

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that companies large and small in 
    every part of the world should support and adhere to the Global 
 Sullivan Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility wherever they 
                            have operations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 12, 2000

  Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Feingold) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that companies large and small in 
    every part of the world should support and adhere to the Global 
 Sullivan Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility wherever they 
                            have operations.

Whereas Reverend Leon Sullivan, author of the Global Sullivan Principles, is 
        known throughout the world for his bold and principled efforts to 
        dismantle the system of apartheid in South Africa, for his work with 
        Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC's) to create jobs for over 
        1,000,000 youth in 130 United States cities and 18 countries, and for 
        his work in literacy training all over the world;
Whereas Reverend Sullivan initiated the original Sullivan Principles in 1977 as 
        a code of conduct for companies operating in South Africa;
Whereas the Global Sullivan Principles promote equal opportunity for employees 
        of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, and religions;
Whereas the Global Sullivan Principles stress the social responsibilities of 
        corporations;
Whereas on June 7, 1999, President Clinton gave approval to the Principles; and
Whereas on November 2, 1999, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United 
        Nations, urged corporate leaders to put the Global Sullivan Principles 
        into practice: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. CALLING FOR SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE GLOBAL SULLIVAN 
              PRINCIPLES OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

    The Senate calls on companies large and small in every part of the 
world to support and adhere to the Global Sullivan Principles of 
Corporate Social Responsibility wherever they have operations.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF GLOBAL SULLIVAN PRINCIPLES OF CORPORATE SOCIAL 
              RESPONSIBILITY.

    In this resolution, the term ``Global Sullivan Principles of 
Corporate Social Responsibility'' means the principles stated as 
follows:
    ``As a company which endorses the Global Sullivan Principles we 
will respect the law, and as a responsible member of society we will 
apply these Principles with integrity consistent with the legitimate 
role of business. We will develop and implement company policies, 
procedures, training, and internal reporting structures to ensure 
commitment to these principles throughout our organization. We believe 
the application of these principles will achieve greater tolerance and 
better understanding among peoples, and advance the culture of peace.
    ``Accordingly, we will:
            ``Express our support for universal human rights and, 
        particularly, those of our employees, the communities within 
        which we operate, and parties with whom we do business.
            ``Promote equal opportunity for our employees at all levels 
        of the company with respect to issues such as color, race, 
        gender, age, ethnicity or religious beliefs, and operate 
        without unacceptable worker treatment such as the exploitation 
        of children, physical punishment, female abuse, involuntary 
        servitude, or other forms of abuse.
            ``Respect our employees' voluntary freedom of association.
            ``Compensate our employees to enable them to meet at least 
        their basic needs and provide the opportunity to improve their 
        skill and capability in order to raise their social and 
        economic opportunities.
            ``Provide a safe and healthy workplace; protect human 
        health and the environment and promote sustainable development.
            ``Promote fair competition including respect for 
        intellectual and other property rights, and not offer, pay or 
        accept bribes.
            ``Work with governments and communities in which we do 
        business to improve the quality of life in those communities, 
        their educational, cultural, economic and social well-being and 
        seek to provide training and opportunities for workers from 
        disadvantaged backgrounds.
            ``Promote the application of these principles by those with 
        whom we do business.
            ``We will be transparent in our implementation of these 
        principles and provide information which demonstrates publicly 
        our commitment to them.''.
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