[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 536 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 536

   Designating June 1, 2010, as ``Declaration of Conscience Day'' in 
commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the landmark ``Declaration of 
 Conscience'' speech delivered by Senator Margaret Chase Smith on the 
                   floor of the United States Senate.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 20, 2010

    Ms. Snowe (for herself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating June 1, 2010, as ``Declaration of Conscience Day'' in 
commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the landmark ``Declaration of 
 Conscience'' speech delivered by Senator Margaret Chase Smith on the 
                   floor of the United States Senate.

Whereas on June 1, 1950, Senator Margaret Chase Smith of the State of Maine, in 
        her first major speech on the floor of the Senate, delivered a 
        courageous and heroic speech responding to the contemptible actions and 
        words of Senator Joseph McCarthy from the State of Wisconsin;
Whereas in 15 minutes, Senator Smith accomplished a task that 94 of her male 
        colleagues did not dare to attempt;
Whereas Senator Smith had the will and integrity to speak out vigorously when 
        silence was a safer course;
Whereas through the power of her iconic words, Senator Smith challenged a giant 
        of demagoguery, prompting financier and presidential advisor, Bernard 
        Baruch, to say that ``had a man made that speech, he would have become 
        the next President of the United States'';
Whereas Senator Smith, because of her bravery both in politics and in life, 
        inspired millions of young girls, and became a role model for countless 
        more women across the United States, who had never before thought that 
        women could aspire to any kind of public office;
Whereas Senator Smith was a legendary and undeniable force of civic good and 
        political courage, whose bravery, civility, compassion, and integrity 
        are woven indelibly into the fabric of the greatness of the United 
        States;
Whereas Senator Smith was a much-beloved and universally admired daughter of the 
        State of Maine and forever the pride of Skowhegan, Maine, her birthplace 
        and home;
Whereas Senator Smith was a teacher, telephone operator, newspaper woman, office 
        manager, secretary, wife, Congresswoman, and Senator;
Whereas Senator Smith was the first woman to be elected to both Houses of 
        Congress; and
Whereas Senator Smith was--

    (1) a timeless leader for the State of Maine and the United States;

    (2) a friend to freedom and the public trust;

    (3) a fearless defender of democracy and the bedrock principles of 
democracy; and

    (4) above all else, a Stateswoman and public servant who belongs not 
just to the State of Maine and the United States, but to the ages: Now, 
therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates June 1, 2010, as ``Declaration of Conscience 
        Day'';
            (2) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the landmark 
        ``Declaration of Conscience'' speech delivered by Senator 
        Margaret Chase Smith;
            (3) honors the heroism of the immortal words and actions of 
        Senator Smith; and
            (4) pays tribute to the integrity and courage of Senator 
        Smith, which reverberates to this day.
                                 <all>