[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 466 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 466

 Celebrating the anniversaries of the International Polar Years (1882-
1883 and 1932-1933) and International Geophysical Year (1957-1958) and 
supporting a continuation of this international science year tradition 
                             in 2007-2008.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 11, 2004

Mr. McCain submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Celebrating the anniversaries of the International Polar Years (1882-
1883 and 1932-1933) and International Geophysical Year (1957-1958) and 
supporting a continuation of this international science year tradition 
                             in 2007-2008.

    Whereas the year 2007 is the 125th anniversary of the first 
            International Polar Year of 1882-1883, the 75th anniversary 
            of the second International Polar Year of 1932-1933, and 
            the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year 
            of 1957-1958;
    Whereas the first International Polar Year of 1882-1883, which 
            involved 12 nations, and the second International Polar 
            Year of 1932-1933, which involved 40 nations, set the first 
            precedents for internationally coordinated scientific 
            campaigns;
    Whereas the International Geophysical Year, conceived in and 
            promoted by the United States, was the largest cooperative 
            international scientific endeavor undertaken to that date, 
            involving more than 60,000 scientists from 66 nations;
    Whereas each of these activities left a legacy of scientific 
            advances, new discoveries, and international goodwill that 
            still benefit us today;
    Whereas the International Geophysical Year legacy includes the 
            dedication of an entire continent to cooperative scientific 
            study through the Antarctica Treaty and the inauguration of 
            the global space age through the launching of Sputnik and 
            Vanguard;
    Whereas International Geophysical Year cooperation continues as the 
            model and inspiration for contemporary world science and 
            provides a bridge between peoples of the world that has 
            demonstrated the ability to transcend political 
            differences;
    Whereas it also would be appropriate to use the international 
            science year format to expand the scope of past years to 
            encompass a broad range of disciplines and to recognize 
            interdisciplinary research that incorporates the physical 
            and social sciences and the humanities in enriching 
            understanding of diverse life on Earth;
    Whereas the 35th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year 
            was commemorated by the International Space Year, a 
            globally implemented congressional initiative conceived by 
            the late Senator Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii, that was 
            highlighted by globally coordinated environmental 
            monitoring and research whose ongoing legacy continues to 
            benefit humanity;
    Whereas planning for an International Polar Year in 2007-2008 is 
            underway, under the guidance of strong United States 
            leadership and the National Academy of Sciences and in 
            conjunction with the International Council for Science and 
            the World Meteorological Organization, with this envisioned 
            to be an intense, coordinated campaign of observations, 
            research, and analysis that will be multidisciplinary in 
            scope and international in participation;
    Whereas an International Polar Year in 2007-2008 will include 
            research on the conditions in both polar regions and 
            recognize the strong links among polar region conditions 
            and the rest of the globe, including the impact on global 
            climate change, as the polar regions have profound 
            significance for the Earth's climate and environments;
    Whereas other scientific bodies are planning additional 
            internationally coordinated scientific programs to advance 
            scientific knowledge and observations from the core of the 
            Earth to the farthest reaches of the Cosmos's effects on 
            the Earth;
    Whereas it is entirely fitting that Congress takes the lead again, 
            in the same spirit, in promoting global cooperation through 
            worldwide commemoration of the past International Polar 
            Years and the International Geophysical Year with 
            activities reflecting the unity and diversity of life on 
            Earth: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the Sense of the Senate that the President 
should--
            (1) endorse the concept of a worldwide campaign of 
        scientific activity for the 2007-2008 timeframe;
            (2) direct the Director of the National Science Foundation 
        and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration, in association with the National Academy of 
        Sciences and other relevant governmental and nongovernmental 
        organizations, to continue interagency and international 
        inquiries and discussions that ensure a successful worldwide 
        international science year in the 2007-2008 timeframe, 
        emphasizing activities dedicated to global environmental 
        research, education, and protection; and
            (3) submit to Congress at the earliest practical date, but 
        no later than March 15, 2005, a report detailing the steps 
        taken in carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), including 
        descriptions of possible activities and organizational 
        structures for an international science year in 2007-2008.
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