[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4848-S4849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK

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

       A resolution (S. Res. 75) designating the week beginning 
     May 13, 2001, as ``National Biotechnology Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BENNETT. 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 any statements relating to the 
resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 75) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 75

       Whereas biotechnology is increasingly important to the 
     research and development of medical, agricultural, 
     industrial, and environmental products;
       Whereas public awareness, education, and understanding of 
     biotechnology is essential for the responsible application 
     and regulation of this new technology;
       Whereas biotechnology has been responsible for 
     breakthroughs and achievements that have benefited people for 
     centuries and contributed to increasing the quality of human 
     health care 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 that are 
     critical to the agriculture of the United States;
       Whereas biotechnology promises environmental benefits 
     including protection of water quality, conservation of 
     topsoil, improvement of waste management techniques, 
     reduction of chemical pesticide usage, production of 
     renewable energy and biobase products, and cleaner 
     manufacturing processes;
       Whereas biotechnology contributes to the success of the 
     United States as the global leader in research and 
     development, and international commerce;
       Whereas biotechnology will be an important catalyst for 
     creating more high-skilled jobs throughout the 21st century 
     and will lead the way in reinvigorating rural economies; and
       Whereas it is important for all Americans to understand the 
     beneficial role biotechnology plays in improving quality of 
     life and protecting the environment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning May 13, 2001, as 
     ``National Biotechnology Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the

[[Page S4849]]

     United States to observe the week with appropriate programs, 
     ceremonies, and activities.

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