[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 243 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 243

Designating the week of April 21 through April 28, 2002, as ``National 
                         Biotechnology Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 16, 2002

  Mr. Hutchinson (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Hatch, Mr. 
Specter, Mr. Bond, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Craig, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Biden, 
Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
Helms, Mr. Frist, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Collins, Mr. 
  Campbell, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Carnahan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
Kerry, and Mr. Thurmond) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week of April 21 through April 28, 2002, as ``National 
                         Biotechnology Week''.

Whereas biotechnology is a strategic industry and is increasingly important to 
        the research and development of products that improve health care, 
        agriculture, industrial processes, environmental remediation, and 
        biological defense;
Whereas biotechnology has been responsible for medical breakthroughs that have 
        benefited millions of people worldwide through the development of 
        vaccines, antibiotics, and other drugs;
Whereas biotechnology is central to research into cures and treatments for 
        conditions such as cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, heart 
        and lung disease, Alzheimer's disease, Acquired Immune Deficiency 
        Syndrome, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, and many other 
        ailments;
Whereas biotechnology contributes to crop yields and farm productivity, reduces 
        chemical pesticide use, and enhances the quality, value, and suitability 
        of crops for food and other uses that are critical to the agriculture of 
        the United States;
Whereas biotechnology offers the potential for increasing food production, 
        particularly in developing nations facing chronic food shortages;
Whereas biotechnology, through industrial applications, is creating an abundance 
        of efficient enzymes and other biobased products, which foster cleaner 
        industrial processes and can help produce energy, fine chemicals, and 
        biobased plastics from renewable resources;
Whereas biotechnology contributes to homeland defense and national security by 
        providing the tools to develop a new generation of vaccines, 
        therapeutics, and diagnostics for defense against bioterrorism;
Whereas biotechnology contributes to the success of the United States as the 
        global leader in research and development, and international commerce;
Whereas biotechnology will be an important catalyst for creating more high-
        skilled jobs throughout the 21st century and will help reinvigorate 
        rural economies; and
Whereas it is important for all people of the United States to understand the 
        beneficial role biotechnology plays in an improved quality of life: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week of April 21 through April 28, 2002, 
        as ``National Biotechnology Week''; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling on the people of the United States to observe this week 
        with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
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