[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
CONDEMNING THE CRUEL AND TORTUOUS PRACTICE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

  Mr. METZENBAUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of 
Senate Resolution 263, a resolution to condemn the cruel and tortuous 
practice of female genital mutilation, and that the Senate then proceed 
to its immediate consideration, that the resolution and preamble be 
agreed to, en bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, 
en bloc; that any statements relating thereto appear in the Record at 
the appropriate place.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 263) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution with its preamble is as follows:

                              S. Res. 263

       Whereas the Senate recognizes the importance of traditions 
     and ritual rites of passage in the cultures of all nations;
       Whereas such traditions and rites should not impede or 
     violate the human rights of any person:
       Whereas the practice of female genital mutilation of girls 
     and young women under the age 18 represents an act of cruelty 
     and a basic violation of a person's human rights.
       Whereas the aftereffects of female genital mutilation 
     include shock, infection, psychological scarring, 
     hemorrhaging, and death;
       Whereas the practice of female genital mutilation 
     represents a threat to the health of girls and young women 
     who undergo the procedure; and

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