[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 122 (Monday, September 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 122--DECLARING SEPTEMBER 26, 1997 AS AUSTRIAN-
                              AMERICAN DAY

  Mr. ENZI submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 122

       Whereas 1997 marks the 50th anniversary of General George 
     C. Marshall's plan for assisting the free countries of Europe 
     in their post-World War II rebuilding process;
       Whereas on September 26, 1945, upon the insistence of the 
     United States, a conference was held in Vienna by the Allies 
     and the 9 Austrian Federal State Governors, that laid the 
     foundation for the first post-war Austrian government 
     recognized by the United States and the other Allied Forces;
       Whereas this treaty saved Austria from being divided into 
     an East and West, as in Germany;
       Whereas Austrians are thankful for the generosity 
     demonstrated by the citizens and the Government of the United 
     States after World War II;
       Whereas Austrian-Americans have made important 
     contributions to the American way of life as well as in 
     industry, education, culture, and the arts and sciences; and
       Whereas Austrian born Americans, or Americans of Austrian 
     descent, have brought prestige and recognition to the United 
     States as Nobel laureates in medicine, economics, and the 
     sciences: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) declares September 26, 1997, as ``Austrian-American 
     Day''; and
       (2) authorizes and requests the President to commend this 
     observance to the citizens of the United States in honor of 
     this momentous occasion.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise to join my friend, the Honorable 
Senator from Indiana, Richard Lugar, in the submission of a resolution 
declaring September 26, 1997, Austrian-American Day. We are also joined 
by many distinguished colleagues from both sides of the aisle in 
support of this measure to commemorate and celebrate the strong ties 
that bind the Government of Austria and the United States and our 
people. This resolution has deep meaning to me because of my Austrian 
roots and heritage.
  The year 1997 has special significance in the history of Austrian-
American relations for it marks the 50th anniversary of what became 
known as the Marshall plan. It was 1947 when Gen. George C. Marshall 
outlined his vision of a program to rebuild war-torn Europe through a 
policy of reconciliation and compassion. The Marshall plan that was 
eventually implemented by the United States is remembered fondly by the 
free nations of Europe for its monumental and generous aid that gave 
the people of these nations hope after the most costly war in the 
history of the world--hope for freedom and lasting piece. Without the 
incredible vision of General Marshall the democracies of Europe might 
have floundered in their rebuilding efforts, creating an avenue for the 
expansion of communism in the midst of the cold war. Marshall's 
foresight and the willingness of the people and the Government of the 
United States to assist all of free Europe, especially Austria, 
resulted in the growth of stable governments in these countries.
  Austrians have not forgotten the efforts of the United States to 
maintain the unity of their country after World War II. The United 
States was instrumental in calling for a conference to be held in 
Vienna to debate the future of Austria. On September 26, 1945, this 
conference was convened between the Allies and the representatives of 
the nine Austrian Federal States, during which a treaty was signed that 
rescued Austria from a fate similar to that of the Soviet-occupied 
European countries and a divided Germany.
  The resolution I propose today, commemorates the sacrifices Americans 
made for Austria after World War II, as well as contributions that 
Austrian immigrants and Americans and Austrian decent have made to the 
American way of life in industry, education, government, culture, and 
the arts. Austrian-Americans that have earned the Nobel Prize include 
Victor Franz Hess in physics, Karl Landsteiner in medicine, and 
Friedrich von Hayek in economics. Austria has produced the likes of 
United States Supreme Court Justices Felix Frankfurter and Earl Warren; 
the originator of the Pulitzer Prize, Joseph Pulitzer; John David 
Hertz, the founder of today's Hertz-Rent-A-Car and the well-known 
Yellow Cab system; Estee Lauder, maker of leading cosmetics; and Raoul 
Fleischman, cofounder of the New Yorker magazine and member of the 
Fleischman yeast family.
  Through the years, Americans have also enjoyed the work of those 
Americans of Austrian descent or origin, such as Fred Astaire, Billy 
Wilder, and of course ``The Terminator,'' Arnold Schwarzenegger. This 
is but a small sample of the names to be found on a list of famous 
Austrian-Americans who have made heartfelt contributions to the legacy 
of the America they love.
  Austria and the United States have shared these common ideals and 
interests, not just in the past 50 years, but for nearly two centuries. 
It is for these reasons that I feel it is altogether appropriate that 
we recognize not only the proud people of Austria, but the warm and 
cordial relations that exist between our two countries at this historic 
time that holds such deep meaning for both our nations.

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