[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 66 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 31--CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
    THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949 AND RECOGNIZING THE HUMANITARIAN 
      SAFEGUARDS THESE TREATIES PROVIDE IN TIMES OF ARMED CONFLICT

  By Mr. McCAIN (for himself and Mr. Smith of Oregon) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 31

       Whereas the Geneva Conventions of 1949 set basic humane 
     standards of behavior during armed conflict, and are the 
     major written source of international humanitarian law;
       Whereas these Conventions prescribe humane treatment for 
     civilian populations, wounded, sick and shipwrecked military 
     personnel, and prisoners of war during armed conflict;
       Whereas these Conventions recognize the International 
     Committee of the Red Cross as an independent and neutral 
     organization whose humanitarian mission is to protect and 
     assist civilians, prisoners of war, and other victims of 
     armed conflict;
       Whereas ``the red cross in a field of white'' is not an 
     ordinary organizational symbol, but one to which the 
     international community has granted the ability to impose 
     restraint during war and to protect human life;
       Whereas the American Red Cross and its sister national 
     societies are members of a world-wide organization rooted in 
     the provisions of international humanitarian law and 
     dedicated to the promulgation of its principles, among which 
     are the Geneva Conventions of 1949;
       Whereas the international programs of the American Red 
     Cross bring relief from natural and manmade disasters abroad, 
     contribute to the development of nonprofit relief 
     organizations abroad, and include the teaching of 
     international humanitarian law throughout the United States;
       Whereas many domestic programs of the Red Cross in health 
     and safety, disaster, blood, youth, and service to the 
     members of the Armed Forces of the United States grew out of 
     a response to armed conflict;
       Whereas, thanks to the efforts of Clara Barton and 
     Frederick Douglass, the United States ratified in 1882 the 
     first convention for the amelioration of the condition of 
     wounded and sick members of the armed forces in the field;
       Whereas in 1955 the United States ratified the Geneva 
     Conventions of 1949; and
       Whereas the Geneva Conventions of 1949 are among the most 
     universally ratified treaties in the world: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       The Congress--
       (1) recognizes the historic and humanitarian significance 
     of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and celebrates the 50th 
     anniversary of the signing of these treaties;
       (2) exhorts combatants everywhere to respect the red cross 
     emblem in order to protect innocent and vulnerable 
     populations on every side of conflicts;
       (3) commends the International Committee of the Red Cross 
     and the more than 175 national Red Cross and Red Crescent 
     societies, including the American Red Cross, on their 
     continuing work in providing relief and assistance to the 
     victims of war as prescribed by these Conventions;
       (4) applauds the Promise of Humanity gathering organized by 
     the American Red Cross in 1999 in Washington, D.C., as an 
     important reminder of our responsibilities to educate future 
     generations about the principles of international 
     humanitarian law;
       (5) commends the efforts of the International Committee of 
     the Red Cross and the more than 175 national Red Cross and 
     Red Crescent societies, including the American Red Cross, for 
     their work in educating the world's citizens about the 
     humanitarian principles of international humanitarian law as 
     embodied in the Geneva Conventions of 1949;
       (6) invites the American Red Cross during this anniversary 
     year to assist Congress in educating its Members and staff 
     about the Geneva Conventions of 1949;
       (7) supports the anniversary theme of the International 
     Committee of the Red Cross that ``Even War Has Limits''; and
       (8) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation 
     recognizing the anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 
     and recognizing the Conventions themselves as critically 
     important instruments for protecting human dignity in times 
     of armed conflict and limiting the savagery of war.

     SEC. 2. GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949 DEFINED.

       In this concurrent resolution, the term ``Geneva 
     Conventions of 1949'' means the following conventions, done 
     at Geneva in 1949:
       (1) Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the 
     Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (6 UST 3114).
       (2) Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of 
     Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of the Armed Forces at 
     Sea (6 UST 3217).
       (3) Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of 
     War (6 UST 3316).
       (4) Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian 
     Persons in Time of War (6 UST 3516).

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senator 
Gordon Smith as I submit a concurrent resolution to commemorate the 
50th Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Fifty years ago the 
United States joined 187 nations in establishing in international law 
the four articles of the modern Geneva Convention. These articles are 
the pillars of international law regarding the treatment of uniformed 
sick and wounded, prisoners of war, and civilians in times of armed 
conflict. Their existence serves to constantly remind us of our 
responsibility to treat all victims of war with the dignity each of us 
deserves.
  These Conventions recognize the International Committee of the Red 
Cross as an independent and neutral organization whose humanitarian 
mission is to protest and assist the victims of armed conflict. The 
International Red Cross is supported, in turn, by national societies 
such as the American Red Cross and the many other Red Cross and Red 
Crescent national agencies. Through the years, these organizations have 
worked tirelessly to bring relief to the suffering around the world 
whether due to natural disaster or human conflict. Their dedication and 
compassion have touched the lives of millions of people in all 
countries and are today at work in the Balkans, Africa, South America, 
and, tragically, in our own state of Oklahoma in response to the recent 
massive tornado.
  I ask your support for this resolution that commemorates mankind's 
first major step to codify into international law the respect and 
dignity that we must foster for each other. The four articles of the 
Geneva Convention and the formation of the organizations flying the Red 
Cross and Red Crescent stand as milestones in humanity's progress 
towards a more civilized world. With this resolution we recognize the 
historic and humanitarian significance of the Conventions and commend 
the Red Cross and Red Crescent agencies worldwide for their unflagging 
efforts to protect the principles of international humanitarian law.




                          ____________________