[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DESIGNATING HUMAN GENOME MONTH AND DNA DAY

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 10 which was 
introduced today by Senators Gregg and Kennedy.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 10) designating April 
     2003 as ``Human Genome Month'' and April 25 as ``DNA Day.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements 
relating to this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 10) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 10

       Whereas April 25, 2003, will mark the 50th anniversary of 
     the description of the double-helix structure of DNA by James 
     D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, considered by many to be 
     one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the 
     20th Century;
       Whereas, in April 2003, the International Human Genome 
     Sequencing Consortium will place the essentially completed 
     sequence of the human genome in public databases, and thereby 
     complete all of the original goals of the Human Genome 
     Project;
       Whereas, in April 2003, the National Human Genome Research 
     Institute of the National Institutes of Health in the 
     Department of Health and Human Services will unveil a new 
     plan for the future of genomics research;
       Whereas, April 2003 marks 50 years of DNA discovery during 
     which scientists in the United States and many other 
     countries, fueled by curiosity and armed with ingenuity, have 
     unraveled the mysteries of human heredity and deciphered the 
     genetic code linking one generation to the next;
       Whereas, an understanding of DNA and the human genome has 
     already fueled remarkable scientific, medical, and economic 
     advances; and
       Whereas, an understanding of DNA and the human genome hold 
     great promise to improve the health and well being of all 
     Americans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) designates April 2003 as ``Human Genome Month'' in 
     order to recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 
     outstanding accomplishment of describing the structure of 
     DNA, the essential completion of the sequence of the human 
     genome, and the development of a plan for the future of 
     genomics;
       (2) designates April 25 as ``DNA Day'' in celebration of 
     the 50th anniversary of the publication of the description of 
     the structure of DNA on April 25, 1953; and
       (3) recommends that schools, museums, cultural 
     organizations, and other educational institutions across the 
     nation recognize Human Genome Month and DNA Day and carry out 
     appropriate activities centered on human genomics, using 
     information and materials provided through the National Human 
     Genome Research Institute and through other entities.

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