[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11323-S11324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEARS AND 
                     INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 466, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 466) celebrating the anniversaries of 
     the International Polar Years (1882-1883 and 1932-1933) and 
     International Geophysical Year (1957-1958) and supporting a 
     continuation of this international science year tradition in 
     2007-2008.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to support a Senate 
resolution to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first 
International Polar Year, IPY, of 1882-1883, the 75th anniversary of 
the second IPY of 1932-1933, and the 50th anniversary of the 
International Geophysical Year, IGY, 1957-1958, in 2007-2008. The 
resolution would also support the continuation of such international 
science year traditions, particularly emphasizing activities dedicated 
to global environmental research, education, and protection.
  Mr. President, IPY and IGY have left a legacy of scientific 
advancements, new discoveries, and international goodwill that continue 
to benefit societies today. They have made significant contributions to 
enhancing our

[[Page S11324]]

understanding of the processes of environmental change and variability. 
In order to accurately access and monitor changes in the Earth's 
climate, environments, and ecosystems, it is imperative that we give 
adequate attention and resources to understanding these processes. 
Examining environmental changes in the past will strengthen our 
abilities to make informed decisions for the future.
  IPY, first launched over 125 years ago, set precedents for 
internationally coordinated scientific campaigns. Accomplishments from 
past IPY activities include advancements in meterology, atmospheric 
sciences, geomagnetism, and technology. IPY also fueled the 
establishment of the first year-round research station inland from the 
Antarctic coast by the United States. Planning for an IPY in 2007-2008 
is currently underway under the United States leadership of the 
National Academy of Science, in conjunction with the International 
Council for Science and the World Meterological Organization.
  Modeled after IPY, IGY was first launched in 1957-1958 and also has 
been a model for international science activities. Accomplishments from 
past IGY activities include the initiation of the global space age and 
exploration of the upper atmosphere through the launching of Sputnik 
and Vanguard, the world's first satellites. IGY led to the 
establishment of more research stations in the Antarctic, and to the 
ratification of the Antarctic Treaty in 1961, which promoted peaceful 
international collaboration and scientific exploration in the 
Antarctic. It is my hope that the same research activities will occur 
in the Arctic region.
  This resolution celebrating the anniversaries of IPY and IGY in 2007-
2008 would endorse the concept of a worldwide campaign for scientific 
activity and expand the scope of past international science activities 
to promote interdisciplinary research that incorporates the physical 
and social sciences to enrich the understanding of diversity in life 
and environmental patterns on Earth. The resolution also would require 
the President of the United States to submit to Congress a report on 
steps taken by the National Science Foundation and the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, in association with the National 
Academy of Sciences and other scientific organizations, to ensure a 
successful worldwide international science year in 2007-2008.
  I urge my colleagues to support this noncontroversial effort to 
promote continued international scientific collaboration.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 466) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 466

       Whereas the year 2007 is the 125th anniversary of the first 
     International Polar Year of 1882-1883, the 75th anniversary 
     of the second International Polar Year of 1932-1933, and the 
     50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year of 
     1957-1958;
       Whereas the first International Polar Year of 1882-1883, 
     which involved 12 nations, and the second International Polar 
     Year of 1932-1933, which involved 40 nations, set the first 
     precedents for internationally coordinated scientific 
     campaigns;
       Whereas the International Geophysical Year, conceived in 
     and promoted by the United States, was the largest 
     cooperative international scientific endeavor undertaken to 
     that date, involving more than 60,000 scientists from 66 
     nations;
       Whereas each of these activities left a legacy of 
     scientific advances, new discoveries, and international 
     goodwill that still benefit us today;
       Whereas the International Geophysical Year legacy includes 
     the dedication of an entire continent to cooperative 
     scientific study through the Antarctica Treaty and the 
     inauguration of the global space age through the launching of 
     Sputnik and Vanguard;
       Whereas International Geophysical Year cooperation 
     continues as the model and inspiration for contemporary world 
     science and provides a bridge between peoples of the world 
     that has demonstrated the ability to transcend political 
     differences;
       Whereas it also would be appropriate to use the 
     international science year format to expand the scope of past 
     years to encompass a broad range of disciplines and to 
     recognize interdisciplinary research that incorporates the 
     physical and social sciences and the humanities in enriching 
     understanding of diverse life on Earth;
       Whereas the 35th anniversary of the International 
     Geophysical Year was commemorated by the International Space 
     Year, a globally implemented congressional initiative 
     conceived by the late Senator Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii, that 
     was highlighted by globally coordinated environmental 
     monitoring and research whose ongoing legacy continues to 
     benefit humanity;
       Whereas planning for an International Polar Year in 2007-
     2008 is underway, under the guidance of strong United States 
     leadership and the National Academy of Sciences and in 
     conjunction with the International Council for Science and 
     the World Meteorological Organization, with this envisioned 
     to be an intense, coordinated campaign of observations, 
     research, and analysis that will be multidisciplinary in 
     scope and international in participation;
       Whereas an International Polar Year in 2007-2008 will 
     include research on the conditions in both polar regions and 
     recognize the strong links among polar region conditions and 
     the rest of the globe, including the impact on global climate 
     change, as the polar regions have profound significance for 
     the Earth's climate and environments;
       Whereas other scientific bodies are planning additional 
     internationally coordinated scientific programs to advance 
     scientific knowledge and observations from the core of the 
     Earth to the farthest reaches of the Cosmos's effects on the 
     Earth; and
       Whereas it is entirely fitting that Congress takes the lead 
     again, in the same spirit, in promoting global cooperation 
     through worldwide commemoration of the past International 
     Polar Years and the International Geophysical Year with 
     activities reflecting the unity and diversity of life on 
     Earth: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the Sense of the Senate that the 
     President should--
       (1) endorse the concept of a worldwide campaign of 
     scientific activity for the 2007-2008 timeframe;
       (2) direct the Director of the National Science Foundation 
     and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, in association with the National Academy of 
     Sciences and other relevant governmental and nongovernmental 
     organizations, to continue interagency and international 
     inquiries and discussions that ensure a successful worldwide 
     international science year in the 2007-2008 timeframe, 
     emphasizing activities dedicated to global environmental 
     research, education, and protection; and
       (3) submit to Congress at the earliest practical date, but 
     no later than March 15, 2005, a report detailing the steps 
     taken in carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), including 
     descriptions of possible activities and organizational 
     structures for an international science year in 2007-2008.

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