[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 87 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 87

      Designating the year of 2012 as the ``International Year of 
                            Cooperatives''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 3, 2011

 Mr. Johnson of South Dakota (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Kohl, Mr. 
     Enzi, Ms. Collins, Mr. Franken, Mr. Tester, Mr. Grassley, Ms. 
  Klobuchar, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Pryor, Mr. 
 Conrad, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. 
    Baucus, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Designating the year of 2012 as the ``International Year of 
                            Cooperatives''.

Whereas in the United States, there are more than 29,000 cooperatives with 
        120,000,000 members;
Whereas cooperatives in the United States generate 2,000,000 jobs and make a 
        substantial contribution to the economy of the United States with annual 
        sales of $652,000,000,000 and assets of $3,000,000,000,000;
Whereas the cooperative business model has empowered people around the world to 
        improve their lives through economic and social progress;
Whereas cooperatives are a major economic force in developed countries and a 
        powerful business model in developing countries, employing approximately 
        100,000,000 people;
Whereas there are millions of cooperatives, which are owned and governed by more 
        than 1,000,000,000 members, operating in every nation of the world;
Whereas the economic activity of the largest 300 cooperatives in the world is 
        equal to that of the 10th largest national economy;
Whereas United Nations Resolution 64/136, adopted by the General Assembly on 
        December 18, 2009, designates the year 2012 as the ``International Year 
        of Cooperatives'';
Whereas the theme of the International Year of Cooperatives is ``Cooperative 
        Enterprise Builds a Better World''; and
Whereas cooperatives are the businesses of the people, and for more than a 
        century, have been a vital part of the world economy: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the year 2012 as the ``International Year of 
        Cooperatives'';
            (2) congratulates cooperatives and members of cooperatives 
        in the United States and around the world on the recognition of 
        the United Nations of 2012 as the ``International Year of 
        Cooperatives'';
            (3) recognizes the vital role cooperatives play in the 
        economic and social well-being of the United States;
            (4) urges the establishment of a National Committee for the 
        2012 International Year of Cooperatives to be comprised of 
        representatives from each Federal agency, all cooperative 
        sectors, and key stakeholders;
            (5) recognizes the importance of raising the profile of 
        cooperatives and demonstrating the manner by which cooperatives 
        build local wealth, generate employment, and provide 
        competition in the marketplace; and
            (6) encourages highlighting the positive impact of 
        cooperatives and developing new programs for domestic and 
        international cooperative development.
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