[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 32 (Monday, March 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   EDUCATION AND SHARING DAY, U.S.A.

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 329) designating March 
23, 1994, as ``Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.,'' and ask for its 
immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I do not 
object, but I simply wish to inform the House the minority has no 
objection to the legislation now being considered.
  Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I am pleased to 
rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 329 designating March 
23, 1994, as ``Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.,'' and I commend my 
colleagues, our distinguished minority whip, Mr. Gingrich, and our 
distinguished majority leader, Mr. Gephardt, for introducing this 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, the future of our Nation, our very way of life, and our 
democratic system of government is dependent on a highly educated 
citizenry that must be fully equipped to compete with other nations of 
the world. We must nurture our desire for learning and to motivate 
students and teachers to assure that we maintain leadership to continue 
our American democracy.
  The quality of education is essential to our American heritage of 
cultural and political freedom. Our schools are instrumental in 
providing our scientific and technical competence. Education holds the 
key to the future. By designating March 23, 1994, as ``Education Day, 
U.S.A.'' we call the attention of the American people to the necessity 
of improving our educational system, by promoting good morals and 
ethics.
  House Joint Resolution 329 also calls attention to the Lubavitch 
movement, which promotes many of our ethical values and principles upon 
which the educational system of our great Nation was founded.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 329

       Whereas the Congress recognizes that ethical teachings and 
     values have played a prominent role in the foundation of 
     civilization and in the history of our great Nation;
       Whereas President William J. Clinton has indicated that 
     ethical considerations should inform the decisions of 
     Society;
       Whereas ethical teachings and values have formed the 
     cornerstone of society since the dawn of civilization and 
     found expression in the Seven Noahide Laws;
       Whereas sharing and education represent 2 pillars of these 
     laws and ethical conduct;
       Whereas Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the 
     Lubavitch movement, is revered worldwide for the 
     contributions he has made to education and sharing;
       Whereas the over 2,000 educational, social, and 
     rehabilitative centers administered by the Lubavitch movement 
     advance these ideals for the millions of people whom they 
     serve each year;
       Whereas Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson has interpreted, 
     in the miraculous events of our times, the increasing 
     vitality of these ideals for the furtherance of human 
     understanding and betterment;
       Whereas the extraordinary life and work of Rabbi Menachem 
     Mendel Schneerson have long been acknowledged by the Congress 
     through the enactment of joint resolutions designating his 
     birthday in each of the last 16 years as ``Education and 
     Sharing Day, U.S.C.'';
       Whereas the Lubavitcher Rebbe's 92nd birthday falls on 
     March 23, 1994;
       Whereas in tribute to this esteemed spiritual leader, the 
     Lubavitcher Rebbe's birthday will be designated as 
     ``Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.; and
       Whereas such designation will signal a renewal of our 
     Nation's commitment to greater acts of charity, to an 
     enriched emphasis on education, and to the furtherance of 
     ethical teachings and values in the affairs of government and 
     in the lives of our citizens: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That March 
     23, 1994, the 92nd birthday of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel 
     Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement, is 
     designated as ``Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.''. The 
     President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon 
     the people of the United States to observe such day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third 
time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider 
was laid on the table.

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