[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14926-S14927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 200.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 200) designating the week of February 
     14-20 as ``National Biotechnology Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution, which had been reported from the Committee on Foreign 
Relations with amendments, as follows:
  (The parts of the resolution intended to be stricken are shown in 
boldface brackets and the parts of the resolution intended to be 
inserted are shown in italic.)

       Whereas biotechnology is increasingly important to the 
     research and development of medical, agricultural, 
     industrial, and environmental products;
       Whereas biotechnology has been responsible for 
     breakthroughs and achievements which have benefited people 
     for centuries and, in the 20th century, has contributed to 
     increasing the lifespan of Americans by 25 years through the 
     development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other drugs;
       Whereas biotechnology is central to research for cures to 
     diseases such as cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, multiple 
     sclerosis, heart and lung disease, Alzheimer's disease, 
     Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and innumerable 
     other medical ailments;
       Whereas biotechnology contributes to crop yields and farm 
     productivity and enhances the quality, value, and suitability 
     of crops for food and other uses which are critical to 
     America's agricultural system;
       Whereas biotechnology promises environmental benefits 
     including protection of water quality, conservation of 
     topsoil, improvement of waste management techniques, and 
     reduction of chemical pesticide usage;
       Whereas biotechnology contributes to the success of the 
     United States in international commerce and trade;
       Whereas biotechnology will be an important catalyst for 
     creating jobs in the 21st century; and
       Whereas it is important for all Americans to understand the 
     role biotechnology contributes to their quality of life: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates [the week of February 14-20] January of the 
     year 2000 as ``National Biotechnology [Week] Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe this 
     [week] month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
     activities.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``A resolution designating 
     January 2000 as `National Biotechnology Month'.''


                           Amendment No. 2792

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, Senator Grams has an amendment at the 
desk, and I ask for its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Maine [Ms. Collins], for Mr. Grams, 
     proposes an amendment numbered 2792.

  The amendment is as follows:

       In the heading of S. Res. 200: strike ``the week of 
     February 14-20'' and insert ``January 2000;'' strike the word 
     ``week'' and insert ``Month.''
       In the title of S. Res. 200: strike ``the week of February 
     14-20'' and insert ``January 2000;'' strike the word ``week'' 
     and insert ``Month.''
       On page 2 line 2 strike ``the week of February 14-20'' and 
     insert ``January.''
       On page 2, line 3, strike ``Week'' and insert ``Month.''
       On page 2, line 7, strike the word ``week'' and insert 
     ``month.''

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
amendment be agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 2792) was agreed to.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution, as amended, be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, the title amendment be 
agreed to, and any statements relating to the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 200), as amended, was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
  [The resolution was not available for printing. It will appear in a 
future edition of the Record.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A resolution designating 
January 2000 as `National Biotechnology Month'.''

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