[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 85 (Monday, June 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5966-S5967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FRENCH HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 290, which was submitted 
earlier today by Senator Smith of New Hampshire.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 290) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate regarding the designation of June 24, 2002, through 
     July 24, 2002, as French Heritage Month (Le Mois De 
     L'Heritage Francais).

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, today is June 24, St. 
Jean Baptiste Day, or St. John the Baptist Day, a day of recognition 
and remembrance.
  Today is also the first day of ``French Heritage Month'' in many 
States. This month also encompasses Bastille Day.
  I believe that we should also recognize the contributions of French 
Americans at the national level. This resolution will do just that.
  Many of my constituents in New Hampshire are of French descent. New 
Hampshire also, along with many other States, shares a common border 
with Quebec. Our French-Canadian partners have been great allies and 
partners in trade. Millions of Americans trace their ancestry to 
France, Quebec, Acadia or other French-speaking parts of the world.
  Many of my fellow Granite Staters are proud of their French heritage, 
as well they should, because the French heritage brings with it the 
virtues of liberty and freedom; virtues that helped us win our war for 
independence.
  King Louis XVI, the Marquis De LaFayette, and other brave Frenchmen 
made immeasurable contributions in our war for independence.
  After we won our independence, Alexis De Toqueville fell in love with 
our young country, and his writings on our fledgling democracy are 
still read by American students today.
  French Maj. Charles Pierre L'Enfant helped design the city plan of 
our Nation's Capital.

[[Page S5967]]

  The Statue of Liberty was presented as a gift from France to the 
people of New York.
  Our shared virtues also helped us win two of the greatest wars 
against totalitarianism that this world has ever seen.
  Over the years, the Franco-American people have given us many 
culinary delights, artistic pleasures, and a unique devotion to liberty 
and citizenship without which our Nation would not be the same.
  Our Franco-American community has enriched our common culture, and 
many Franco-Americans are productive members of our society.
  Franco-Americans bring a unique perspective and contribute to the 
diversity of our country, and they should be recognized as such.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. REID. Madam 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 regarding this matter be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 290) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 290

       Whereas millions of Americans trace their ancestry to 
     France, Quebec, Acadia, or other French speaking parts of the 
     world;
       Whereas the United States shares a common border with 
     Canada, a country with which we have also shared a long 
     history of cordial relations and prosperous trade;
       Whereas brave French settlers helped establish New France 
     in the 16th century;
       Whereas King Louis XVI, the Marquis De LaFayette, and other 
     brave Frenchmen made immeasurable contributions in our War 
     for Independence;
       Whereas Alexis de Tocqueville's classic book ``Democracy in 
     America'' has taught and inspired generations of American 
     students;
       Whereas French Major Charles Pierre L'Enfant helped design 
     the city plan of the capital of this Nation;
       Whereas the people of the United States share with the 
     French people a common love for liberty;
       Whereas the Statue of Liberty was presented as a gift from 
     France to the people of New York, and was created by sculptor 
     Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi;
       Whereas the United States and France have fought together 
     against Nazism, Fascism, Communism, and Imperialism;
       Whereas the pride and work ethic of the Franco-American 
     community has contributed greatly to the prosperity and 
     culture of this Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) June 24, 2002 through July 24, 2002, encompassing the 
     celebration of La Fete St. Jean Baptiste and the 
     commemoration of Bastille Day, be designated as French 
     Heritage Month (Le Mois De L'Heritage Francais); and
       (2) appropriate observances should be held during this 
     period throughout the country by public and private groups 
     and institutions.

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