[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 253 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 253

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Museum 
  of the History of American Diplomacy through private donations is a 
                            worthy endeavor.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 25, 2007

    Mr. Lugar (for himself, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Hagel) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

                             June 28, 2007

                Reported by Mr. Biden, without amendment

                           September 7, 2007

                        Considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Museum 
  of the History of American Diplomacy through private donations is a 
                            worthy endeavor.

Whereas the role of diplomacy in the foreign policy of the United States 
        deserves recognition;
Whereas the day-to-day efforts of American diplomats serving in overseas 
        embassies and in the United States also deserve recognition;
Whereas, in 1998, the Department of State began to explore the feasibility of 
        establishing a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy (in this 
        resolution referred to as the ``Museum'');
Whereas the Foreign Affairs Museum Council (in this resolution referred to as 
        the ``Council''), a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was created 
        subsequently to raise funds for the Museum through donations from 
        private sector organizations, former diplomats, and concerned citizens;
Whereas no taxpayer funds will be used for the establishment of the Museum;
Whereas former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Alexander Haig, George 
        Schultz, James Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger, Warren Christopher, 
        Madeleine Albright, and Colin Powell serve as Honorary Directors of the 
        Council;
Whereas experienced and noteworthy diplomats and foreign policy experts, 
        including Elizabeth Bagley, Keith Brown, Frank Carlucci, Elinor 
        Constable, Leslie Gelb, William Harrop, Arthur Hartman, Herbert Hansell, 
        Stephen Low, Thomas Pickering, Richard Solomon, and Terence Todman, 
        serve on the Board of Directors of the Council;
Whereas former members of the Senate, including the Honorable Paul Sarbanes, and 
        of the House of Representatives, including the Honorable Lee Hamilton, 
        also serve on the Board of Directors of the Council;
Whereas the Honorable Charles ``Mac'' Mathias, a former Senator and member of 
        the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, is the Chairperson of 
        the Board of Directors of the Council;
Whereas the Council has already raised over $1,300,000 through private 
        donations; and
Whereas $300,000 has been spent to complete an initial concept design for the 
        Museum: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) the diplomats of the United States serving overseas and 
        in the United States are in many cases the front line of our 
        national security policy;
            (2) the people of the United States deserve a better 
        understanding of the efforts of these brave men and women;
            (3) talented young people and their families should be 
        encouraged to consider careers in foreign affairs as an 
        important contribution to their country;
            (4) the establishment of a Museum of the History of 
        American Diplomacy that highlights the work of these men and 
        women throughout the history of the United States is a worthy 
        endeavor; and
            (5) the current plan of the Foreign Affairs Museum Council 
        to fund the museum through private donations is appropriate and 
        deserves the support of the Department of State.
                                 <all>