[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 116 (Thursday, September 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 433--COMMEMORATING THE 215TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                     UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE

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

                              S. Res. 433

       Whereas the Act entitled ``An Act to establish the Judicial 
     Court of the United States'', approved September 24, 1789 (1 
     Stat. 73) (``the Judiciary Act of 1789''), directed the 
     appointment of a Marshal and launched the United States 
     Marshals Service;
       Whereas the Judiciary Act of 1789 determined that law 
     enforcement would be the primary function of the United 
     States Marshal;
       Whereas President George Washington subsequently appointed 
     the first 13 United States Marshals that same year;
       Whereas during 215 years of service, United States Marshals 
     have executed warrants, distributed presidential 
     proclamations, registered enemy aliens in time of war, and 
     helped conduct the national census;
       Whereas during 215 years of service, United States Marshals 
     have protected the President and the Federal courts, provided 
     for the custody and transportation of Federal prisoners, and 
     maintained and disposed of seized and forfeited properties;
       Whereas through the Witness Security Program, United States 
     Marshals have provided for the security, health, and safety 
     of more than 7,500 government witnesses and 9,500 family 
     members whose lives were in danger as a result of the 
     witnesses' testimony against drug traffickers, terrorists, 
     organized crime members, and other major criminals;
       Whereas during 215 years of service, United States Marshals 
     have conducted their mission of fugitive apprehension with 
     skill and valor; and
       Whereas United States Marshals carry out complex and life-
     threatening missions daily to maintain the integrity of the 
     judicial process of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 215th anniversary of the United States 
     Marshals Service;
       (2) recognizes the United States Marshals Service as one of 
     the most versatile and effective law enforcement agencies in 
     the world; and
       (3) honors the men and women who have served the United 
     States Marshals Service and our Nation so well with their 
     dedication to justice, integrity, and service.

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to submit a resolution honoring 
our Nation's oldest Federal law enforcement agency, the United States 
Marshals Service, on the occasion of the Service's 215th anniversary.
  The United States Marshals Service was created when President George 
Washington signed the Judiciary Act into law on September 24, 1789. 
Subsequently, President Washington appointed the first 13 United States 
marshals that same year. Although their primary mission was to support 
the Federal courts, United States marshals and deputy United States 
marshals performed a wide variety of duties, including: executing 
warrants; distributing Presidential proclamations; registering enemy 
aliens in time of war; controlling riots; conducting the national 
census; collecting commerce statistics; and protecting the President of 
the United States. Although some of its responsibilities have changed 
over the past 215 years, the Service's dedication to justice, 
integrity, and service remains constant. As it continues to serve in 
the 21st century, the United States Marshals Service only enhances its 
role as one of the most versatile and effective law enforcement 
agencies in the world.
  Today, the United States Marshals Service remains steadfast in its 
commitment to protect the Federal judiciary and carry out all Federal 
court orders. This entails providing for the custody and transportation 
of Federal prisoners, ensuring protection of witnesses, and maintaining 
and disposing of seized and forfeited properties. Of great importance 
is the fugitive apprehension mission of the Service: United States 
marshals capture more Federal fugitives than all other Federal agencies 
combined, and they have become an invaluable resource for State and 
local law enforcement agencies regarding fugitive apprehension tactics 
and techniques. Across the Nation, the United States marshals and 
deputy United States marshals carry out complex and life-threatening 
missions daily to maintain the integrity of the American judicial 
process.
  The 4,500 men and women of the United States Marshals Service are 
proud of their history and their service to our Nation. I, too, am 
proud of their commitment to justice. On behalf of the Senate, I wish 
to honor the men and women of the United States Marshals Service and 
thank them for their contributions to the law enforcement community and 
to our Nation for 215 years and counting.
  I ask Unanimous Consent that the full text of the Senate resolution 
be included in the record following my remarks.
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   SENATE RESOLUTION 434--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING ALL EFFORTS TO 
 PROMOTE GREATER CIVIC AWARENESS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Allen, Mr. 
Jeffords, Mr. Reid, Mr. Baucus, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Craig, 
Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Biden, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Akaka, 
and Mr. Dayton) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 434

       Whereas the Constitution of the United States establishes a 
     representative form of government in which the people of the 
     United States elect Members of the House of Representatives 
     and Senators of the Senate, and each of the States appoint 
     electors who, based on the popular vote of the State, select 
     the President and the Vice-President;
       Whereas the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments to the 
     Constitution establish that the right of citizens of the 
     United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged on 
     account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude; 
     on account of sex; by reason of failure to pay any poll tax 
     or other tax; and on account of age for those 18 years of age 
     and older;
       Whereas the right of citizens of the United States to vote 
     is fundamental to our representative form of government;
       Whereas many eligible citizens do not exercise the right to 
     vote;
       Whereas numerous civic awareness organizations and advocacy 
     groups at the Federal, State, and local level actively 
     promote voter registration and voter participation; and
       Whereas many communities and schools have instituted civic 
     awareness programs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and supports all efforts to promote greater 
     civic awareness among the people of the United States, 
     including civic awareness programs such as candidate forums 
     and voter registration drives; and
       (2) encourages local communities and elected officials at 
     all levels of government to promote greater awareness among 
     the electorate of civic responsibility and the importance of 
     participating in these elections.

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