[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to S. Con. Res. 112, which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 112) expressing the 
     sense of Congress regarding the designation of the week 
     beginning May 19, 2002, as ``National Emergency Medical 
     Services Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to; that the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table; and that any statements relating to the resolution be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 112) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 112

       Whereas emergency medical services are a vital public 
     service;
       Whereas the members of emergency medical services teams are 
     ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a 
     day, 7 days a week;
       Whereas emergency medical services teams consist of 
     emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical 
     technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, 
     administrators, and others;
       Whereas these emergency medical services teams served our 
     country with bravery and heroism on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas emergency medical personnel (emergency physicians, 
     nurses, and emergency medical technicians) courageously 
     defended the Nation when called upon to identify and treat 
     anthrax, the bioterrorist weapon released in October 2001;
       Whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically 
     improves the survival and recovery rate of those who 
     experience sudden illness or injury;
       Whereas providers of emergency medical services have 
     traditionally served as the safety net of America's health 
     care system;
       Whereas approximately \2/3\ of all emergency medical 
     services providers are volunteers;
       Whereas the members of emergency medical services teams, 
     whether career or volunteer, undergo thousands of hours of 
     specialized training and continuing education to enhance 
     their lifesaving skills;
       Whereas Americans benefit daily from the knowledge and 
     skills of these highly trained individuals; and
       Whereas injury prevention and the appropriate use of the 
     emergency medical services system will help reduce health 
     care costs and save lives: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) designates the week beginning May 19, 2002, as 
     ``National Emergency Medical Services Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe such 
     week with appropriate programs and activities.

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