[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 71 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.71
                                     Agreed to November 22, 2003        

                       One Hundred Eighth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
           the seventh day of January, two thousand and three


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas Ralph Bunche's life of achievement made him truly one of the 
  twentieth century's foremost figures and a role model for youth;

Whereas Ralph Bunche graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude, and Phi 
  Beta Kappa from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1927 
  with a degree in International Relations;

Whereas Ralph Bunche was the first African-American to receive a Ph.D. 
  in Government and International Relations at Harvard University in 
  1934;

Whereas Ralph Bunche served as a professor and established and chaired 
  the Political Science Department at Howard University from 1928 to 
  1941;

Whereas, in 1941, Ralph Bunche served as an analyst for the Office of 
  Strategic Services;

Whereas Ralph Bunche joined the Department of State in 1944 as an 
  advisor;

Whereas Ralph Bunche served as an advisor to the United States 
  delegation to the 1945 San Francisco conference charged with 
  establishing the United Nations and drafting the Charter of the 
  nascent international organization;

Whereas Ralph Bunche was instrumental in drafting Chapters 11 and 12 of 
  the United Nations Charter, dealing with non-self-governing 
  territories and the International Trusteeship System, which helped 
  African countries achieve their independence and assisted in their 
  transition to self-governing, sovereign states;

Whereas, in 1946, Ralph Bunche was appointed Director of the 
  Trusteeship Division of the United Nations;

Whereas, in 1948, Ralph Bunche was named acting Chief Mediator in 
  Palestine for the United Nations, and, in 1949, successfully brokered 
  an armistice agreement between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and 
  Syria;

Whereas Ralph Bunche was deeply committed to ending colonialism and 
  restoring individual state sovereignty through peaceful means;

Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 
  awarded its highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, to Ralph Bunche in 
  1949;

Whereas for his many significant contributions and efforts towards 
  achieving a peaceful resolution to seemingly intractable national and 
  international disputes, Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace 
  Prize in 1950, the first African-American and the first person of 
  color to be so honored;

Whereas Ralph Bunche was named United Nations Under Secretary General 
  in 1955, in charge of directing peacekeeping missions in several 
  countries;

Whereas, in 1963, Ralph Bunche was presented by President John F. 
  Kennedy with the United States' highest civilian award, the Medal of 
  Freedom; and

Whereas Ralph Bunche's critical contributions to the attempt to resolve 
  the Arab-Israeli conflict and towards the de-colonization of Africa, 
  and his commitment to and long service in the United Nations and 
  numerous other national and international humanitarian efforts, 
  warrant his commemoration: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
        (1) recognizes and honors Ralph Bunche as a pivotal 20th 
    century figure and fighter in the struggle for the realization and 
    attainment of human rights on a global scale; and
        (2) urges the President to take appropriate measures to 
    encourage the celebration and remembrance of Ralph Bunche's many 
    significant achievements.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.