[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 116 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10867-S10868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK
                    NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 242, S. Res. 30, 
and Calendar No. 243, S. Res. 204, en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolutions by 
title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 30) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate that the President should designate the week beginning 
     September 14, 2003, as ``National Historically Black Colleges 
     and Universities Week''.
       A resolution (S. Res. 204) designating the week of November 
     9 through November 15, 2003, as ``National Veterans Awareness 
     Week'' to emphasize the need to develop educational programs 
     regarding the contributions of veterans to the country.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions.
  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolutions be agreed to en bloc, the preambles be agreed to en bloc; 
further, that the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, 
with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 30) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                               S. Res. 30

       Whereas there are 105 historically black colleges and 
     universities in the United States;
       Whereas historically black colleges and universities 
     provide the quality education so essential to full 
     participation in a complex, highly technological society;
       Whereas historically black colleges and universities have a 
     rich heritage and have played a prominent role in American 
     history;
       Whereas historically black colleges and universities have 
     allowed many underprivileged students to attain their full 
     potential through higher education; and
       Whereas the achievements and goals of historically black 
     colleges and universities are deserving of national 
     recognition: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK 
                   COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK.

       (a) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that the President should designate the week beginning 
     September 14, 2003, as ``National Historically Black Colleges 
     and Universities Week''.
       (b) Proclamation.--The Senate requests the President to 
     issue a proclamation--

[[Page S10868]]

       (1) designating the week beginning September 14, 2003, as 
     ``National Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
     Week''; and
       (2) calling on the people of the United States and 
     interested groups to observe the week with appropriate 
     ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support 
     for historically black colleges and universities in the 
     United States.

  The resolution (S. Res. 204) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 204

       Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the 
     Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their 
     lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past 
     century;
       Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and 
     women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in 
     maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by 
     Americans;
       Whereas the advent of the all-volunteer Armed Forces has 
     resulted in a sharp decline in the number of individuals and 
     families who have had any personal connection with the Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces 
     has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young 
     people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of 
     those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the 
     current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs and the veterans service organizations;
       Whereas the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces 
     makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation 
     understand the history of military action and the 
     contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such 
     actions; and
       Whereas, on November 6, 2002, President George W. Bush 
     issued a proclamation urging all Americans to observe 
     November 10 through November 16, 2002, as National Veterans 
     Awareness Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK.

       (a) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that the President should designate the week of November 9 
     through November 15, 2003, as ``National Veterans Awareness 
     Week''.
       (b) Proclamation.--The Senate requests the President to 
     issue a proclamation--
       (1) designating the week of November 9 through November 15, 
     2003, as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' for the purpose 
     of emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and 
     secondary school students concerning the contributions and 
     sacrifices of veterans; and
       (2) calling on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational 
     activities.

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