[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6677-S6679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 373--RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF RONALD WILSON REAGAN, A 
                 FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. FRIST (for himself and Mr. Daschle) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 373

       Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
     and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
     Honorable Ronald Wilson Reagan, a former President of the 
     United States, and a former Governor of the State of 
     California.
       Resolved, That in recognition of his illustrious 
     statesmanship, his leadership in national and world affairs, 
     his distinguished public service to his State and his Nation, 
     and as a mark of respect to one who has held such eminent 
     public station in life, the Presiding Officer of the Senate 
     appoint a committee to consist of all the Members of the 
     Senate to attend the funeral of the former President.
       Resolved, That the Senate hereby tender its deep sympathy 
     to the members of the family of the former President in their 
     sad bereavement.
       Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions 
     to the House of Representatives and transmit a copy thereof 
     to the family of the former President.
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     SENATE RESOLUTION 374--HONORING PRESIDENT RONALD WILSON REAGAN

  Mr. FRIST submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:
       Whereas Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the 
     United States, was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, 
     Illinois, to Nelle and John Reagan and raised in Dixon, 
     Illinois;
       Whereas as a lifeguard at Rock River in Lowell, Illinois, a 
     young Ronald Reagan saved the lives of 77 swimmers;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan enrolled in Eureka College where he 
     played football, acted in amateur theater, and graduated with 
     a bachelor's degree in economics and sociology;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan landed his first job as a radio 
     announcer for WOC in Davenport, Iowa, and went on to become a 
     popular sports announcer;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan launched a movie career that spanned 
     50 movies, including his most famous role as the football 
     legend, ``The Gipper'';
       Whereas Ronald Reagan, who received more fan mail than any 
     other actor at Warner Brothers Studios except Errol Flynn, 
     served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1947 to 
     1960;
       Whereas on March 4, 1952, Ronald Reagan married his great 
     love, Nancy Davis, who was to become his lifelong confidante 
     and companion;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan was the father of 4 children: 
     Maureen, Michael, Patti, and Ronald Prescott;
       Whereas Ronald Reagan hosted the popular television series 
     ``GE Theater'' from 1954 to 1962;
       Whereas in 1962, Ronald Reagan switched his party 
     affiliation from Democrat to Republican and 2 years later 
     delivered a major televised speech in support of Presidential 
     candidate Barry Goldwater;
       Whereas in 1966, Ronald Reagan won the governorship of 
     California and in 1970 was reelected to a second term;
       Whereas Governor Reagan campaigned for the Republican 
     nomination in 1968, and again in 1976;
       Whereas on July 16, 1980, the former Governor won the 
     Republican nomination and on November 4, 1980, won the United 
     States Presidency in a landslide vote;
       Whereas President Reagan appointed the first woman to the 
     United States Supreme Court, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor;
       Whereas on March 30, 1981, only 2 months into his 
     Presidency, Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt 
     and upon meeting Nancy in the hospital, quipped with 
     characteristic good humor, ``Honey, I forgot to duck'';
       Whereas President Reagan delivered on his promise to cut 
     taxes for American workers in 1981, and achieved the historic 
     tax cuts of 1986 which overhauled the Federal tax code and 
     reduced tax rates for almost all taxpayers, including 
     removing 6,000,000 Americans from the tax rolls;
       Whereas under President Reagan's leadership, inflation 
     fell, interest rates declined, and by the seventh year of his 
     Presidency, the stock market hit an all-time high;
       Whereas President Reagan presided over the longest economic 
     expansion in the history of the United States until that time 
     and rebuilt the national defenses of the United States;
       Whereas President Reagan won reelection in 1984 carrying 49 
     out of 50 States-one of the biggest electoral victories in 
     the political history of the United States;
       Whereas during summit meetings with Soviet Union President 
     Mikhail Gorbachev in December 1987, President Reagan signed a 
     treaty to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear forces;
       Whereas President Reagan's steadfast opposition to 
     communism, his unshakeable resolve to defeat the ``Evil 
     Empire'', and his secure belief in government for and by the 
     people, led to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and victory in 
     the Cold War;
       Whereas President Reagan's belief in freedom as a God-given 
     right of all peoples led to a democratic revolution across 
     Central America; and
       Whereas Ronald Wilson Reagan, father, husband, actor, and 
     dedicated public servant, restored the pride, optimism and 
     strength of the United States and earned the deep respect and 
     affection of his fellow citizens: Now, therefore, be it:
       Resolved, That the Senate notes with deep sorrow and solemn 
     mourning the death of Ronald Wilson Reagan.
       Resolved, That the Senate extends its heartfelt sympathy to 
     the wife and family of President Reagan.
       Resolved, That the Senate commends the former President for 
     his Presidency and its many accomplishments.
       Resolved, That the Senate calls on all the people of the 
     United States to reflect on the record of the 40th President 
     of the United States during this national period of 
     remembrance.
     Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions to 
     the House of Representatives and transmit a copy thereof to 
     the family of the former President.
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  SENATE RESOLUTION 375--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING 
INITIATIVES FOR GREATER MIDDLE EAST REFORM AND MODERNIZATION INCLUDING 
                      A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY TRUST

  Mr. LUGAR submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 375

       Whereas one of the greatest threats in the 21st century is 
     the nexus between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, 
     which is fueled by failed states and instability that arises 
     in large part from extremist organizations from the Greater 
     Middle East region including nations of the Middle East, 
     North Africa, and Central and South Asia;
       Whereas the United States must promote security and 
     stability in this troubled region where demographics, 
     religious extremism, autocratic governments, isolation, 
     stagnant economic systems and war have often overwhelmed the 
     talents of the people and the wealth of the region's natural 
     resources;
       Whereas poverty and economic underdevelopment do not cause 
     terrorism, but, by

[[Page S6678]]

     promoting economic prosperity, political reform, peace and 
     security in the Greater Middle East, the United States and 
     the international community can help reduce the potential 
     that such countries become a source of international 
     terrorism;
       Whereas advancements in communications, transportation, 
     health and educational opportunities have yet to reach large 
     percentages of the people of the Greater Middle East;
       Whereas reform and modernization must come from the people 
     and nations within the Greater Middle East and cannot be 
     imposed from countries or individuals outside;
       Whereas the best way to achieve these goals is to cooperate 
     with our traditional partners and with other countries, 
     specifically in the Greater Middle East on a new paradigm of 
     reform and development;
       Whereas the Arab Human Development Report of 2003 
     commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme 
     identified the lack of knowledge, freedom, and the 
     empowerment of women as the most serious challenges to 
     development;
       Whereas the United States launched the Middle East 
     Partnership Initiative in 2002 to support economic, 
     political, educational reform and the empowerment of women in 
     the Middle East and has undertaken similar programs in North 
     Africa and Central and South Asia that are creating 
     educational and economic opportunity, fostering private 
     sector development, and strengthening civil society;
       Whereas other members of the Group of Eight (Canada, 
     France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United 
     Kingdom), and the European Union have established and 
     supported similar programs and objectives; and the European 
     Union, in particular, established the Euro-Mediterranean 
     Partnership in Barcelona in 1995 which includes development 
     of economic and financial cooperation and greater emphasis on 
     social, cultural, and political issues;
       Whereas many nations of the Greater Middle East have 
     individually and multilaterally expressed their interest and 
     intentions to move towards implementing governmental and 
     civil society modernization and reform, and many such 
     countries have declared their commitment to support universal 
     principles of democracy, human rights, and individual 
     freedoms, including freedom for women;
       Whereas the Alexandria Library in Egypt hosted a conference 
     in March 2004 entitled Critical Reforms in the Arab World: 
     From Rhetoric to Reality to bring together members of civil 
     society in the Middle East including intellectuals, business 
     people, and academics and the conference participants made a 
     statement declaring that they ``are fully convinced that 
     reform is a necessary and urgent matter,'' and that they 
     embraced ``without ambiguity, genuine democracy'';
       Whereas the Arab League Summit in May 2004 resulted in an 
     assertion of the firm resolve of these nations to reaffirm 
     human rights and freedoms and to carry on reform and 
     modernization, including consolidation of democratic 
     practice, broadening participation of all components of civil 
     society and widening women's participation in the political, 
     economic, social, cultural and educational fields; and
       Whereas the members of the Group of Eight met in Sea 
     Island, Georgia in June 2004 and committed to cooperate with 
     the countries of the ``Broader Middle East and North Africa'' 
     to assist in advancing their aspirations for political, 
     economic and social reforms: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON GREATER MIDDLE EAST 
                   INITIATIVES FOR REFORM AND MODERNIZATION, 
                   INCLUDING A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY TRUST.

       It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) in June 2004, the President encouraged the Group of 
     Eight (the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, 
     Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom) to outline a plan to 
     engage with the countries of the ``Broader Middle East and 
     North Africa'' in a way that allows such countries to 
     establish priorities for reform and modernization in the new 
     millennium;
       (2) reforms in the countries of the Greater Middle East, 
     including nations of the Middle East, North Africa, and 
     Central and South Asia, must be generated from within by the 
     people and governments of such countries, and can only be 
     effective if undertaken in the context of people taking 
     charge of their own futures;
       (3) the President should seek to build on the initiatives 
     of the Group of Eight and establish specific mechanisms for 
     accomplishing the goals of reform and modernization of the 
     Greater Middle East such as establishment of a Greater Middle 
     East Twenty-First Century Trust, as described in section 2; 
     the two-way nature of the functions of such a Trust confers 
     ``ownership'' of the processes of reform in the countries of 
     the Greater Middle East and will invite renewed dialog;
       (4) the members of the Group of Eight and the nations of 
     the Greater Middle East region should follow-up the G-8 
     Summit with official and private meetings, conferences, and 
     other events to further explore and implement initiatives, 
     including establishing terms of reference for a Greater 
     Middle East Twenty-First Century Trust;
       (5) the members of the Group of Eight can help effect long-
     term political and economic change in the Greater Middle East 
     by leveraging financial contributions from Europe, Asia, and 
     the wealthy countries of the region, and by providing the 
     imprimatur of the broad international community;
       (6) the President should use his considerable leverage with 
     allies inside and outside the region to assist in the 
     promotion of democratic reforms and political freedom; and
       (7) recognizing that social and political change would be 
     more difficult in an atmosphere of violence, the President 
     should work with other industrialized democracies and with 
     the countries of the Greater Middle East to promote peace and 
     maintain a stable environment for long-term progress.

     SEC. 2. MODEL FOR ESTABLISHING A GREATER MIDDLE EAST TWENTY-
                   FIRST CENTURY TRUST.

       The Senate urges the President to consider generating 
     support for a Greater Middle East Twenty-First Century Trust 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Trust'') in coordination 
     and partnership with the members of the Group of Eight and 
     the countries of the Greater Middle East in a quest for 
     political, economic, and educational reform and for 
     modernization in such countries. The Trust could be organized 
     with the following guidelines:
       (1) Donors to the Trust could pool resources to deliver 
     grants and work together to define the funding criteria for 
     the Trust based on high priority needs identified by the 
     recipients of such grants.
       (2) The contributors to the Trust could include wealthy 
     countries of the Greater Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, 
     Kuwait, and others willing to invest in their own futures and 
     take a stake in the Trust's success.
       (3) The Trust could be sensitive to cultural concerns of 
     the people and governments of the countries of the Greater 
     Middle East and could respect Islamic financial principles to 
     ensure that the Trust will be accepted in the region.
       (4) The Trust could reflect advances in understanding of 
     international development and be based on the models of the 
     Africa Action Plan of the Group of Eight, the Global Fund to 
     Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Millennium 
     Challenge Corporation, which represent a new form of social 
     compact between governments and donors that does not 
     superimpose a plan from donors but, instead, works with the 
     recipient countries to plan and set priorities for 
     assistance.
       (5) Contributors to the Trust could use independent 
     indicators to judge if a candidate country is making strides 
     to promote the rule of law, political and civil rights, 
     combat corruption, and modernize economic and education 
     systems.
       (6) The Trust could be a vehicle for action that would set 
     broad goals and criteria and should include specific programs 
     developed and offered by the countries that will receive 
     assistance from the Trust.
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 117--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
   THE PRESIDENT SHOULD POSTHUMOUSLY AWARD THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF 
                      FREEDOM TO HARRY W. COLMERY

  Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Specter, and Mr. 
Santorum) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 117

       Whereas the life of Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kansas, was 
     marked by service to his country and its citizens;
       Whereas Harry Colmery earned a degree in law in 1916 from 
     the University of Pittsburgh and, through his practice of 
     law, contributed to the Nation, notably by successfully 
     arguing 2 significant cases before the United States Supreme 
     Court, 1 criminal, the other an environmental legal dispute;
       Whereas during World War I, Harry Colmery joined the Army 
     Air Service, serving as a first lieutenant at a time when 
     military aviation was in its infancy;
       Whereas after World War I, Harry Colmery actively 
     contributed to the growth of the newly formed American Legion 
     and went on to hold several offices in the Legion and was 
     elected National Commander in 1936;
       Whereas in 1943, the United States faced the return from 
     World War II of what was to become an active duty force of 
     15,000,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines;
       Whereas Harry Colmery, recognizing the potential effect of 
     the return of such a large number of veterans to civilian 
     life, spearheaded the efforts of the American Legion to 
     develop legislation seeking to ensure that these Americans 
     who had fought for the democratic ideals of the Nation and to 
     preserve freedom would be able to fully participate in all of 
     the opportunities the Nation provided;
       Whereas in December 1943, during an emergency meeting of 
     the American Legion leadership, Harry Colmery crafted the 
     initial draft of the legislation that became the Servicemen's 
     Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the GI Bill of 
     Rights;
       Whereas the GI Bill of Rights is credited by veterans' 
     service organizations, economists, and historians as the 
     engine that transformed postwar America into a more 
     egalitarian, prosperous, and enlightened Nation poised to 
     lead the world into the 21st century;

[[Page S6679]]

       Whereas since its enactment, the GI Bill of Rights has 
     provided education or training for approximately 7,800,000 
     men and women, including 2,200,000 in college, 3,400,000 in 
     other schools, 1,400,000 in vocational education, and 690,000 
     in farm training and, in addition, 2,100,000 World War II 
     veterans purchased homes through the GI Bill;
       Whereas as a result of the benefits available to veterans 
     through the initial GI Bill, the Nation gained over 800,000 
     professionals as the GI Bill transformed these veterans into 
     450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers, 91,000 scientists, 
     67,000 doctors, and 22,000 dentists;
       Whereas President Truman established the Presidential Medal 
     of Freedom in 1945 to recognize notable service during war 
     and in 1963, President Kennedy reinstated the medal to honor 
     the achievement of civilians during peacetime;
        Whereas pursuant to Executive Order No. 11085, the Medal 
     of Freedom may be awarded to any person who has made an 
     especially meritorious contribution to ``(1) the security or 
     national interest of the United States, or (2) world peace, 
     or (3) other significant public or private endeavors''; and
       Whereas Harry Colmery, noted for his service in the 
     military, in the legal sector, and on behalf of the Nation's 
     veterans, clearly meets the criteria established for the 
     Presidential Medal of Freedom; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the 
     President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of 
     Freedom to Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kansas.

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
honoring the life of Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, KS, and expressing the 
sense of Congress that the President should award Mr. Colmery the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
  As my colleagues know, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is this 
Nation's highest civilian honor. Thus, my colleagues may ask, ``What in 
particular makes the life of Harry Colmery stand out?'' I would answer 
that just two weekends ago, we in Washington saw the answer to this 
question when thousands of veterans gathered on the National Mall for 
the dedication of the World War II Memorial. These individuals and 
millions of their fellow soldiers benefited from the work of Harry 
Colmery, the author of the initial draft of the Servicemen's 
Readjustment act of 1944, also known as the GI Bill of Rights.
  The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 was aimed to aid military 
veterans as they transitioned back into civilian life following the 
conclusion of World War II by providing certain useful benefits. Among 
the historic benefits of this bill was a new educational benefit that 
would revolutionize America's higher education system. More than 2 
million eligible men and women went to college using these educational 
benefits in the decade following World War II. The result was an 
American workforce enriched by 450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers, 
91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, 22,000 dentists, and another million 
college-educated men and women. An estimated 5 million additional men 
and women received other schooling or job training under the provisions 
of the GI Bill.
  The success of the GI Bill of Rights was unmistakable. A Veterans 
Administration study in 1965 showed that the increased earning power of 
GI Bill college graduates led to Federal income tax revenues rising by 
more than a billion dollars annually. In less than 20 years, the $14 
billion cost of the original program had been recovered. Americans like 
programs that work and, in the decades following World War II, Congress 
built on the success of the original GI Bill. The most recent 
Montgomery GI Bill, approved in 1985, was designed not only to help 
veterans make a transition into the workforce through additional 
education and training benefits, but also to help support the concept 
of an all-volunteer military. As my colleagues know, the promise of 
educational benefits has been one of the most successful tools given to 
our Nation's military recruiters.
  Harry Colmery's dedicated service to the veterans of this Nation and 
the long reach of his work into the lives of millions of Americans 
certainly make him an individual worthy of the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom. I call on my fellow Senators to support this resolution so 
that Harry Colmery, even posthumously, may receive the honor he is due.
                                 ______
                                 

   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 118--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS 
 THAT AN ARTISTIC TRIBUTE TO COMMEMORATE THE SPEECH GIVEN BY PRESIDENT 
   RONALD REAGAN AT THE BRANDENBURG GATE ON JUNE 12, 1987, SHOULD BE 
                PLACED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL

  Mr. ALLARD submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                            S. Con. Res. 118

       Whereas the people of the United States successfully 
     defended freedom and democracy for over 40 years in a global 
     Cold War against an aggressive Communist tyranny;
       Whereas President Ronald Wilson Reagan's demonstration of 
     unwavering personal conviction during this conflict served to 
     inspire millions of people throughout the United States and 
     around the world to seek democracy, freedom, and greater 
     individual liberty; and
       Whereas Ronald Wilson Reagan's determined stand against the 
     Soviet empire during his eight years as President served as 
     the catalyst for the end of that regime: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that an 
     artistic tribute to commemorate the speech given by President 
     Ronald Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate on June 12, 1987, 
     during which he uttered the immortal lines ``Mr. Gorbachev, 
     tear down this wall!'', should be placed within the United 
     States Capitol.

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