[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 116 (Thursday, September 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THAT PREVENTION OF SUICIDE IS A COMPELLING NATIONAL 
                                PRIORITY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 119, 
and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the concurrent resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 119) recognizing that 
     prevention of suicide is a compelling national priority.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam 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 that any statements 
relating to the concurrent resolution be printed in the Record.
  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be added as 
a cosponsor of this concurrent resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 119) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 119

       Whereas suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic 
     events a family and a community can experience, and it occurs 
     at a national rate of 30,000 suicides annually;
       Whereas suicide is the fastest growing cause of death among 
     youths and the second leading cause of death among college 
     students;
       Whereas suicide kills youths 6 to 9 times more often than 
     homicide;
       Whereas research shows that 95 percent of all suicides are 
     preventable;
       Whereas research shows that the prevention of suicide must 
     be recognized as a national priority;
       Whereas community awareness and education will encourage 
     the development of strategies to prevent suicide;
       Whereas during the 105th Congress, both the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives unanimously agreed to resolutions 
     recognizing suicide as a national problem and declaring 
     suicide prevention programs to be a national priority (Senate 
     Resolution 84, 105th Congress, agreed to May 6, 1997, and 
     House of Representatives Resolution 212, 105th Congress, 
     agreed to October 9, 1998);
       Whereas the yellow ribbon is rapidly becoming recognized 
     internationally as the symbol for the awareness and 
     prevention of suicide, and it is recognized and used by 
     suicide prevention groups, crisis centers, schools, churches, 
     youth centers, hospitals, counselors, teachers, parents, and 
     especially youth themselves; and
       Whereas the week beginning September 19, 2004, should be 
     recognized as Yellow Ribbon Suicide Awareness and Prevention 
     Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes that the need to increase awareness about 
     and prevent suicide is a compelling national priority;
       (2) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to the priorities 
     expressed by the 105th Congress, in Senate Resolution 84 and 
     House Resolution 212, to continue to recognize suicide 
     prevention as a national priority; and
       (3) encourages Americans, communities, and the Nation to 
     work to increase awareness about and prevent suicide.

                          ____________________