[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 103, 
and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 103) honoring the 
     members of the Armed Forces and Federal civilian employees 
     who served the Nation during the Vietnam era and the families 
     of those individuals who lost their lives or remain 
     unaccounted for or were injured during that era in Southeast 
     Asia or elsewhere in the world in defense of United States 
     security interests.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements in relation 
to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 103) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 103

       Whereas the United States Armed Forces conducted military 
     operations in Southeast Asia during the period (known as the 
     ``Vietnam era'') from February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975;
       Whereas during the Vietnam era more than 3,403,000 American 
     military personnel served in the Republic of Vietnam and 
     elsewhere in Southeast Asia in support of United States 
     military operations in Vietnam, while millions more provided 
     for the Nation's defense in other parts of the world;
       Whereas during the Vietnam era untold numbers of civilian 
     personnel of the United States Government also served in 
     support of United States operations in Southeast Asia and 
     elsewhere in the world;
       Whereas May 7, 2000, marks the 25th anniversary of the 
     closing of the period known as the Vietnam era; and
       Whereas that date would be an appropriate occasion to 
     recognize and express appreciation for the individuals who 
     served the Nation in Southeast Asia and elsewhere in the 
     world during the Vietnam era: Now, therefore, be it
         Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors the service and sacrifice of the members of the 
     Armed Forces and Federal civilian employees who during the 
     Vietnam era served the Nation in the Republic of Vietnam and 
     elsewhere in Southeast Asia or otherwise served in support of 
     United States operations in Vietnam and in support of United 
     States national security interests throughout the world;
       (2) recognizes and honors the sacrifice of the families of 
     those individuals referred to in paragraph (1) who lost their 
     lives or remain unaccounted for or were injured during that 
     era, in Southeast Asia or elsewhere in the world, in defense 
     of United States national security interests; and
       (3) encourages the American people, through appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities, to recognize the service and 
     sacrifice of those individuals.

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