[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 117--CONGRATULATING THE FEDERAL MEDIATION AND 
                         CONCILIATION SERVICES

  Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. DeWine, and Mr. 
Wellstone) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 117

       Whereas the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service 
     (referred to in this resolution as the ``FMCS'') was created 
     as an independent agency of the United States by the Labor-
     Management Relations Act of 1947;
       Whereas for 50 years, the FMCS has been instrumental in 
     promoting the United States policy that ``sound and stable 
     industrial peace and the advancement of the general welfare, 
     health, and safety of the Nation and of the best interest of 
     employers and employees can most satisfactorily be secured 
     through the settlement of issues between employers and 
     employees through the processes of collective bargaining 
     between employers and representatives of their employees'';
       Whereas the FMCS has provided mediation services to labor 
     and management by assisting them to settle disputes and reach 
     agreement in collective bargaining negotiations, thereby 
     helping to prevent or minimize work stoppages that disrupt 
     the free flow of commerce and to promote sound and stable 
     labor-management relations;
       Whereas the FMCS has provided arbitration services by 
     administering a roster of qualified, private arbitrators to 
     resolve disputes arising under collective bargaining 
     agreements, thereby minimizing disruptions to commerce and 
     preserving labor-management peace;
       Whereas the FMCS has encouraged joint initiatives designed 
     to assist employers and the representatives of their 
     employees explore better ways to manage differences and to 
     work together for mutual benefit and has awarded grants to 
     promote labor-management cooperation and to encourage 
     innovative workplace practices, thereby improving economic 
     performance and enhancing economic development, employment 
     security, and organizational effectiveness;
       Whereas the FMCS has provided dispute resolution services 
     to government agencies as an alternative to costly litigation 
     or formal rulemaking, thereby enabling less adversarial and 
     more participative approaches to governing;
       Whereas the FMCS has helped management, labor, and 
     government leaders from many nations throughout the world to 
     establish sound industrial relations and conflict resolution 
     systems and practices, thereby promoting sound economic 
     development and democratic principles; and
       Whereas the FMCS has developed the art, science, and 
     practice of conflict resolution as a means to improve the 
     lives of the working men and women of this Nation and the 
     relationships between labor and management and between others 
     in our society, to sustain democratic institutions, and to 
     strengthen the American economy, thereby making an important 
     contribution to our Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service 
     for 50 years of dedicated and important service to the 
     Nation; and
       (2) congratulates the FMCS as it commemorates its fiftieth 
     anniversary.

                          ____________________