[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY AMERICANS OF AUSTRIAN 
                                HERITAGE

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of 
the resolution (H. Res. 217) recognizing the important contributions 
made by Americans of Austrian heritage, and ask for its immediate 
consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 217

       Whereas the United States and the Republic of Austria have 
     enjoyed close and friendly relations since the inception of 
     the Republic of Austria;
       Whereas 1997 marks the 50th anniversary of the Marshall 
     Plan which was critically important to the reconstruction of 
     the Republic of Austria and to the establishment of friendly 
     ties between the Republic of Austria and the United States;
       Whereas on September 26, 1945, a conference of 
     representatives of the nine Federal states of the Republic of 
     Austria was held in Vienna that laid the foundation for the 
     provisional Austrian Government and the early elections in 
     November 1945; and
       Whereas a number of States have already proclaimed 
     September 26, 1997, as ``Austrian-American Day'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) declares that the warm and cordial relations between 
     the people of the United States and the Republic of Austria 
     should grow stronger; and
       (2) acknowledges the important contributions to the United 
     States by Americans of Austrian heritage.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on the subject of this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert] is 
recognized for 1 hour.
  (Mr. HASTERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present this resolution on behalf 
of its author, the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] 
and the distinguished chairman of the Committee on International 
Relations, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].
  Mr. Speaker, September 26 will mark the 52d anniversary of the 
conference that established the post-war Austrian government. House 
Resolution 217 recognizes the pivotal role played by the United States 
in the establishment of a free and democratic Austria. It is 
particularly fitting that the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] be 
the author of this resolution as the only Austrian American currently 
serving in the House.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 217, 
together with the distinguished chairman of the Committee on 
International Relations, this Member urges support for this simple and 
straightforward celebration of warm and cordial relations between 
Americans and the people of Austria.
  September 26 will mark the 52d anniversary of the conference that 
established the post-war Austrian Government. Recognizing the pivotal 
role played by the United States in the establishment of a free and 
democratic Austria, the Government of Austria has declared September 
26, 1997, to be Austrian-American Day. All around the United States, 
our State legislatures have followed suit, declaring September 26 to be 
Austrian-American Day.
  Because of the rules of this body, we are not permitted to consider 
commemorative resolutions, or declare specific honorary days. However, 
this body can certainly join with the Government of Austria and the 
many State legislatures to note the long and positive history of 
Austrian-American relations. That is precisely what this House 
Resolution 217 does.
  Mr. Speaker, as perhaps the only Austrian-American presently to be 
serving in the House, this Member would urge adoption of House 
Resolution 217.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the resolution is agreed 
to.
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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