[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11500-S11505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 470--HONORING THE LIFE OF ASTRONAUT LEROY GORDON 
                              COOPER, JR.

  Mr. INHOFE submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 470

       Whereas Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., was born on March 6, 
     1927, in Shawnee, Oklahoma;
       Whereas Gordon Cooper served as a colonel in the United 
     States Air Force and was selected as one of the original 
     Project Mercury astronauts in April of 1959;
       Whereas the 7 original Project Mercury astronauts helped to 
     inspire generations of scientists and engineers;
       Whereas, when Gordon Cooper piloted the Faith 7 spacecraft 
     on the final operational mission of Project Mercury from May 
     15 to May 16, 1963, he traveled a total of 546,167 statute 
     miles and became the first astronaut from the United States 
     to spend more than a day in space;
       Whereas, when Gordon Cooper served as command pilot on the 
     8-day 120-orbit Gemini 5 mission that began on August 21, 
     1965, he and pilot Charles Conrad established a new

[[Page S11501]]

     space endurance record by traveling a distance of 3,312,993 
     miles in an elapsed time of 190 hours and 56 minutes;
       Whereas Gordon Cooper was the first man to go into space 
     for a second time;
       Whereas Gordon Cooper served as backup command pilot for 
     the Gemini 12 mission and as backup commander for the Apollo 
     10 flight;
       Whereas Gordon Cooper logged 222 hours in space and retired 
     from the Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration in 1970;
       Whereas the special honors Gordon Cooper received during 
     his lifetime included the Air Force Distinguished Flying 
     Cross, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
     Distinguished Service Medal, and the John F. Kennedy Trophy; 
     and
       Whereas Gordon Cooper passed away at his home in Ventura, 
     California, on October 4, 2004, at the age of 77: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate honors the life of astronaut 
     Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr.

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, many people may not be aware of Oklahoma's 
significant history in aviation, or that I am the only commercially 
licensed pilot in the Senate and have a passion for flying.
  Since 1910, beginning with Charles F. Willard who only flew a few 
hundred yards in a south Oklahoma City field, Oklahomans have been 
flying.
  The following year, Clyde Cessna, an automobile dealer from Enid who 
later formed the Cessna Aircraft Company, flew his mono-wing airplane 
near Jet, OK.
  Such early flights in Oklahoma continued and in 1929 perhaps one of 
the most notable aviation events occurred in Waynoka, Oklahoma, where 
Charles Lindbergh stopped on the first transcontinental passenger air 
and rail service.
  By 1931, Wiley Post, from Maysville, OK, gained international 
recognition when he flew around the world in a little over eight days. 
In July 1991, I had the honor of recreating Post's trip on its 60th 
Anniversary.
  However, Oklahoma's aviation history does not stop there. On November 
2, 1929, 26 licensed women pilots founded what was known as the Ninety-
Nine Club, or the Ninety-Nines. It was called so at the suggestion of 
its first president, Amelia Earheart, because of the 117 licensed women 
pilots in America who were contacted about joining the club, only 99 
actually joined. The South Central Section of the Ninety-Nine Club 
comprising several states including Oklahoma, has through the years, 
issued several publications and in 1962, Mary Lester of the Oklahoma 
Chapter created a new version of the Club's publication, the Ninety-
Nine News. Currently, the Ninety-Nine Club is an international 
organization of licensed women pilots from 35 countries, with its 
international headquarters at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma 
City.
  Today I rise to introduce a resolution to honor the life and work of 
another Oklahoman in this long line of aviation who served our country 
by fearlessly dedicating his life to space travel and exploration.
  Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., frequently called ``Gordo'', who passed 
away at his home on October 4, was often known as the first astronaut 
from the United States to spend more than a day in space. He was born 
in Shawnee, OK on March 6, 1927 and joined the Marines during World War 
II. He then transferred to the Air Force in 1949 and graduated from the 
Air Force Institute of Technology with a degree in aeronautical 
engineering in 1956.
  After graduating, Cooper became attracted to the space program as an 
elite test pilot for the Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base in 
California. During his career, he logged more than 7,000 hours of 
flying, including 4,000 hours flying jets. He also flew commercial and 
general aviation planes and helicopters.
  Cooper seemed to be born in the right place at the right time--with 
the right abilities. In 1958, the National Aeronautical and Space 
Administration, NASA, announced its new endeavor, Project Mercury, with 
three goals in mind: to place a spacecraft carrying a person into 
orbital flight around the Earth, to investigate a person's performance 
capabilities and his/her ability to function in space, and to recover 
the person and spacecraft safely. NASA began searching for people, 
especially military test pilots, who were willing and capable of 
enduring such a dangerous mission. They focused on finding military 
test pilots because they seemed to experience similar conditions to 
those of space.
  On April 1, 1959, it was announced that Cooper was chosen, along with 
Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra, 
Jr., and Deke Slayton not only as one of the seven Project Mercury 
astronauts, but as one of America's first astronauts. These seven men 
made history with this project as they laid the groundwork for future 
space flights.
  On May 15 and 16, 1963, Cooper piloted Faith 7, the flight that ended 
the operational phase of Project Mercury. During this mission, he 
orbited the Earth 22 times and logged more time in space than all 
previous five Mercury astronauts combined. He also became known as the 
first American astronaut to sleep in orbit, as well as on the launch 
pad.
  Shortly thereafter, Cooper received the NASA Distinguished Service 
Medal from President John F. Kennedy at a White House ceremony.
  In August 1965, Cooper commanded the 8 day Gemini 5 mission with 
Charles Conrad. On this mission, Cooper set a new space endurance 
record, covering 120 revolutions and 3,312,993 miles in 190 hours, 56 
minutes and 3 seconds and became the first man to make a second orbital 
flight.
  Overall, during his two space flights, Cooper logged 225 hours, 15 
minutes and 3 seconds. He also served as backup command pilot for 
Gemini 12 and backup commander for Apollo X. He was the last American 
astronaut to orbit the Earth for an entire orbit by himself.
  After receiving an honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Oklahoma 
City University in 1967, Cooper retired from the Air Force and NASA as 
a colonel in 1970. However, his involvement with space did not end 
after his retirement. He served as a consultant to several companies 
related to aerospace, electronics, and energy fields, and was vice 
president for research and development for Walt Disney Enterprises, 
Inc. Cooper also devoted part of his life to studying UFOs, and wrote 
Leap of Faith based on his experiences as a pilot and astronaut.
  Even though we have lost this great American hero, his legacy and 
passion for exploring space live on through continued space ventures 
such as the Ansari X Prize. The famed $10 million X Prize was recently 
awarded to the team of SpaceShipOne, whose pilot, Brian Binnie, broke 
an August 22, 1963 altitude record by going 69.6 miles above Earth's 
surface, ironically, on October 4, the same day of Cooper's passing.
  I am pleased that my good friend and colleague Congressman Cass 
Ballenger has led the way in honoring the life and service of this 
great space pioneer. I know that Mr. Ballenger shares my passion of 
aviation and space exploration and hope that we will continue to build 
on the progress and sacrifice made by men like Gordon Cooper.
                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 471--AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING OF TRIBUTES AND OTHER 
       RELATED MATERIALS IN HONOR OF THE LATE SENATOR PAUL SIMON

  Mr. DURBIN submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 471

       Resolved, That there be printed as a Senate document a 
     compilation of tributes and other related materials 
     concerning the Honorable Paul Simon, late a Senator from the 
     State of Illinois.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 472--TO HONOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA ON THE FIRST 
                   ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROSE REVOLUTION

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
Hagel) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 472

       Whereas, on November 23, 2004, the people of Georgia will 
     celebrate the first anniversary of the Rose Revolution, the 
     peaceful and bloodless protests that followed parliamentary 
     elections deemed to be fraudulent;
       Whereas following the resignation of President Eduard 
     Shevardnadze, Interim President Nino Burdzhanadze worked 
     diligently to restore order and to prepare Georgia for a new 
     Presidential election;
       Whereas after a free, fair, and democratic election was 
     held, Mikheil Saakashvili was

[[Page S11502]]

     sworn into office on January 25, 2004, as President of 
     Georgia;
       Whereas President Saakashvili visited the United States 
     Congress earlier this year and delivered a strong message of 
     peace, stability, democracy, political reform, and economic 
     opportunity;
       Whereas Georgia is a small but strategically situated 
     country located in the Caucasus, and is of additional 
     interest to the United States because of the oil and gas 
     pipelines now being constructed from Baku, Azerbaijan to the 
     port of Ceyhan, Turkey;
       Whereas Georgia has also become a key player in the global 
     war on terrorism by combating members of al Qaeda and other 
     Muslim terrorist organizations, denying them sanctuary in 
     remote areas such as the Pankisi Gorge, and working with the 
     United States to help train border guards;
       Whereas Georgia has recently increased its commitment of 
     troops in Iraq and its contributions to help build peace and 
     democracy in Afghanistan and Kosovo;
       Whereas the United States supports Georgia's efforts to 
     peacefully reestablish government control, security, and 
     political stability in regions such as Abkhazia and South 
     Ossetia;
       Whereas the United States congratulates the Government of 
     Georgia on the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Adjara 
     and welcomes the restoration of democracy and political 
     stability in that region; and
       Whereas the United States supports representative 
     democracy, political stability, economic growth, and peace in 
     Georgia and throughout the Caucasus region: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, that the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the people of Georgia on the first 
     anniversary of the Rose Revolution, the peaceful and 
     bloodless protests that followed parliamentary elections 
     deemed to be fraudulent, and for their commitment to 
     democracy, peace, stability, and economic opportunity;
       (2) commends President Mikheil Saakashvili for his vision 
     of, and commitment to, a peaceful and democratic Georgia, the 
     rule of law, an open market economy, regional cooperation, 
     and closer integration into western institutions;
       (3) supports the sovereignty, independence, territorial 
     integrity, and democratic government of Georgia; and
       (4) supports continued assistance to the people and 
     Government of Georgia to help them consolidate the democratic 
     process in their country.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 473--URGING THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO ENSURE A 
DEMOCRATIC, TRANSPARENT, AND FAIR ELECTION PROCESS FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL 
                 RUN-OFF ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 21, 2004

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Smith, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
Graham of South Carolina, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Biden) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 473

       Whereas the establishment of a democratic, transparent, and 
     fair election process for the 2004 Presidential election in 
     Ukraine and of a genuinely democratic political system are 
     prerequisites for that country's full integration into the 
     Western community of nations as an equal member, including 
     into organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO);
       Whereas the Government of Ukraine has accepted numerous 
     specific commitments governing the conduct of elections as a 
     participating state of the Organization for Security and 
     Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including provisions of the 
     Copenhagen Document;
       Whereas the election of Ukraine's next President will 
     provide an unambiguous test of the extent of the Ukrainian 
     authorities commitment to implement these standards and build 
     a democratic society based on free elections and the rule of 
     law;
       Whereas the second round of the Presidential election takes 
     place against the backdrop of past elections and 
     improprieties in the first round of the election, which did 
     not fully meet international standards;
       Whereas it is the duty of government and public authorities 
     of Ukraine at all levels to act in a manner consistent with 
     all laws and regulations governing election procedures, and 
     to ensure free and fair elections throughout the entire 
     country, including preventing activities aimed at undermining 
     the free exercise of political rights;
       Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires a 
     period of political campaigning conducted in an environment 
     in which administrative action, violence, intimidation, or 
     detention do not hinder the parties, political associations, 
     and the candidates from presenting their views and 
     qualifications to the citizenry, including organizing 
     supporters, conducting public meetings and events throughout 
     the country, and enjoying unimpeded access to television, 
     radio, print, and Internet media on a non-discriminatory 
     basis;
       Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires that 
     citizens be guaranteed the right and effective opportunity to 
     exercise their civil and political rights, including the 
     right to vote and the right to seek and acquire information 
     upon which to make an informed vote, free from intimidation, 
     undue influence, attempts at vote buying, threats of 
     political retribution, or other forms of coercion by national 
     or local authorities or others;
       Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires 
     government and public authorities to ensure that candidates 
     and political parties enjoy equal treatment before the law 
     and that government resources are not employed to the 
     advantage of individual candidates or political parties;
       Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires the 
     full transparency of laws and regulations governing 
     elections, multiparty representation on election commissions, 
     and unobstructed access by candidates, political parties, and 
     domestic and international observers to all election 
     procedures, including voting and vote counting in all areas 
     of the country;
       Whereas increasing control and manipulation of the media by 
     national and local officials and others acting at their 
     behest raise grave concerns regarding the commitment of the 
     Ukrainian authorities to free and fair elections;
       Whereas efforts by the national authorities in Ukraine to 
     limit access to international broadcasting, including Radio 
     Liberty and the Voice of America, represent an unacceptable 
     infringement on the right of the Ukrainian people to 
     independent information;
       Whereas efforts by national and local officials of Ukraine 
     and others acting at their behest to impose obstacles to free 
     assembly, free speech, and a free and fair political campaign 
     have taken place in Donetsk, Sumy, and elsewhere in Ukraine 
     without condemnation or remedial action by the Government of 
     Ukraine;
       Whereas numerous substantial irregularities have taken 
     place in recent Ukrainian parliamentary by-elections in the 
     Donetsk region and in mayoral elections in Mukacheve, Romny, 
     and Krasniy Luch;
       Whereas intimidation, violence, and fraud during the April 
     18, 2004, mayoral election in Mukacheve, Ukraine, represent a 
     deliberate attack on the democratic process;
       Whereas in the period leading to the first round of the 
     Presidential election, the government power structures used 
     state resources such as schools, state factories, hospitals, 
     and public transport systems to force students, state 
     workers, and citizens who rely on state services for their 
     livelihood to campaign against their will for the government-
     backed candidate;
       Whereas there was notable partisan engagement of security 
     services, military, and local police in support of the 
     government-backed candidate;
       Whereas there was a failure of national and local state-
     owned and private electronic media to provide impartial and 
     fair coverage of, or access to, opposition candidates;
       Whereas some election commission members affiliated with 
     opposition candidates were dismissed from their duties just 
     prior to election day;
       Whereas there was collaboration with a foreign government 
     to allow a foreign President to appear in Ukraine and express 
     his opinions on one of the candidates just days before 
     election day, in an effort to influence the vote, and a 
     military parade, which was held in Kyiv 3 days prior to the 
     election, was clearly an effort to intimidate voters; and
       Whereas in the first round of the Presidential election in 
     Ukraine that occurred on October 31, 2004, international 
     observers noted fraud and other significant problems, 
     including poorly maintained voter lists, which resulted in 
     people being denied their right to vote, as well as many 
     additional names on voter rolls for which no accounting could 
     be made, prevalent interference by unauthorized persons into 
     the electoral process, and credible reports of busing of 
     voters among oblasts and polling stations for the purpose of 
     multiple voting: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong relationship 
     formed between the United States and Ukraine since the 
     restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991;
       (2) recognizes that a precondition for the full integration 
     of Ukraine into the Western community of nations, including 
     as an equal member in institutions such as the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization (NATO), is its establishment of a 
     genuinely democratic political system;
       (3) expresses its strong and continuing support for the 
     efforts of the Ukrainian people to establish a full 
     democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in 
     Ukraine;
       (4) urges the Government of Ukraine to guarantee freedom of 
     association and assembly, including the right of candidates, 
     members of political parties, and others to freely assemble, 
     to organize and conduct public events, and to exercise these 
     and other rights free from intimidation or harassment by 
     local or national officials or others acting at their behest;
       (5) urges the Government of Ukraine to meet its 
     Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) 
     commitments on democratic elections and to address issues 
     previously identified by the Office of Democratic 
     Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the OSCE in its 
     final reports on the 2002 parliamentary elections and the 
     1999 Presidential elections, such as illegal interference by 
     public authorities in the campaign and a high degree of bias 
     in the media;

[[Page S11503]]

       (6) urges the Ukrainian authorities to ensure--
       (A) the full transparency of election procedures before, 
     during, and after the second round of the 2004 Presidential 
     election;
       (B) free access for Ukrainian and international election 
     observers;
       (C) multiparty representation on all election commissions;
       (D) unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to 
     print, radio, television, and Internet media on a non-
     discriminatory basis;
       (E) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties, 
     and independent media organizations from intimidation or 
     harassment by government officials at all levels, including 
     selective tax audits and other regulatory procedures, and in 
     the case of media, license revocations, and libel suits;
       (F) a transparent process for complaint and appeals through 
     electoral commissions and within the court system that 
     provides timely and effective remedies;
       (G) vigorous prosecution of any individual or organization 
     responsible for violations of election laws or regulations, 
     including the application of appropriate administrative or 
     criminal penalties;
       (H) remedies to all improprieties reported in the first 
     round of the Presidential election in Ukraine, including--
       (i) the replacement at a polling station of any Territorial 
     Election Commission member found to have engaged in fraud;
       (ii) a complete review of voter lists in each polling 
     station in order to correct inaccuracies;
       (iii) equal time on state media and equal access to private 
     media for the two runoff candidates; and
       (iv) immediate prosecution of individuals who have violated 
     the election law;
       (7) further calls upon the Government of Ukraine to 
     guarantee election monitors from the ODIHR, other 
     participating states of the OSCE, Ukrainian political 
     parties, representatives of candidates, nongovernmental 
     organizations, and other private institutions and 
     organizations, both foreign and domestic, unobstructed access 
     to all aspects of the election process, including unimpeded 
     access to public campaign events, candidates, news media, 
     voting, and post-election tabulation of results and 
     processing of election challenges and complaints;
       (8) urges the President to fully employ the diplomatic and 
     other resources of the Government of the United States to 
     encourage the Government of Ukraine to ensure that the 
     election laws and procedures of Ukraine are faithfully 
     adhered to by all local and national officials, by others 
     acting at their behest, and by all candidates and parties, 
     during and subsequent to the Presidential campaign and 
     election-day voting;
       (9) strongly encourages the President to clearly 
     communicate to the Government of Ukraine, to all parties and 
     candidates in Ukraine, and to the people of Ukraine the high 
     importance attached by the Government of the United States to 
     this Presidential campaign as a central factor in determining 
     the future relationship between the two countries;
       (10) strongly encourages the President to consider visa 
     bans and other targeted sanctions on those responsible for 
     encouraging or participating in any efforts to improperly 
     influence the outcome of the election, whether through direct 
     or indirect involvement; and
       (11) pledges its enduring support and assistance to the 
     people of Ukraine for the establishment of a fully free and 
     open democratic system, the creation of a prosperous free 
     market economy, the establishment of a secure independence 
     and freedom from coercion, and Ukraine's assumption of its 
     rightful place as a full and equal member of the Western 
     community of democracies.
                                 ______
                                 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 147--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
  THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE ITS STATUTORY 
 AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, IN 
     PARTICULAR THE PERIODIC NATIONAL AND WORLD BOY SCOUT JAMBOREES

  Mr. NELSON of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                            S. Con. Res. 147

       Whereas the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on 
     February 8, 1910, and received a Federal charter on June 15, 
     1916, which is codified as chapter 309 of title 36, United 
     States Code;
       Whereas section 30902 of title 36, United States Code, 
     states that it is the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America to 
     promote, through organization, and cooperation with other 
     agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and 
     others, to train them in scoutcraft, and to teach them 
     patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues;
       Whereas, since the inception of the Boy Scouts of America, 
     millions of Americans of every race, creed, and religion have 
     participated in the Boy Scouts, and the Boy Scouts currently 
     uses more than 1,200,000 adult volunteers to serve more than 
     4,700,000 young people;
       Whereas the Department of Defense and members of the Armed 
     Forces have a long history of supporting the activities of 
     the Boy Scouts of America and individual Boy Scout troops in 
     the United States, and section 2606 of title 10, United 
     States Code, authorizes the Department of Defense to 
     cooperate with and assist the Boy Scouts of America in 
     establishing and providing facilities and services for 
     members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, and 
     civilian employees of the Department of Defense and their 
     dependents, at locations outside the United States;
       Whereas sections 4682, 7541, and 9682 of title 10, United 
     States Code, authorize the Department of Defense to sell, and 
     in certain cases donate, obsolete or excess material to the 
     Boy Scouts of America to support its activities; and
       Whereas, under section 2554 of title 10, United States 
     Code, the Department of Defense is authorized to make 
     military installations available to, and to provide 
     equipment, transportation, and other services to, the Boy 
     Scouts of America to support national and world gatherings of 
     Boy Scouts at events known as Boy Scout Jamborees: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the 
     Department of Defense should continue to exercise its long-
     standing statutory authority to support the activities of the 
     Boy Scouts of America, in particular the periodic national 
     and world Boy Scout Jamborees.
                                 ______
                                 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 148--HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTION OF 
 YOGI BHAJAN, A LEADER OF THE SIKHS, AND EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE 
                     SIKH COMMUNITY ON HIS PASSING

  Mr. BINGAMAN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 148

       Whereas the Sikh faith was founded in the northern section 
     of the Republic of India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak, 
     who preached tolerance and equality for all humans;
       Whereas the Sikh faith began with a simple message of 
     truthful living and the fundamental unity of humanity, all 
     created by one creator who manifests existence through every 
     religion;
       Whereas the Sikh faith reaches out to people of all faiths 
     and cultural backgrounds, encourages individuals to see 
     beyond their differences, and to work together for world 
     peace and harmony;
       Whereas Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa 
     Yogiji, known as Yogi Bhajan to hundreds of thousands of 
     people worldwide, was born Harbhajan Singh Puri on August 26, 
     1929, in India;
       Whereas at age 8, Yogi Bhajan began yogic training, and 8 
     years later was proclaimed by his teacher to be a master of 
     Kundalini Yoga, which stimulates individual growth through 
     breath, yoga postures, sound, chanting, and meditation;
       Whereas during the turmoil over the partition between 
     Pakistan and India in 1947, at the age of 18, Yogi Bhajan led 
     his village of 7,000 people 325 miles on foot to safety in 
     New Delhi, India, from what is now Lahore, Pakistan;
       Whereas Yogi Bhajan, before emigrating to North America in 
     1968, served the Government of India faithfully through both 
     civil and military service;
       Whereas when Yogi Bhajan visited the United States in 1968, 
     he recognized immediately that the experience of higher 
     consciousness that many young people were attempting to find 
     through drugs could be alternatively achieved through 
     Kundalini Yoga, and in response, he began teaching Kundalini 
     Yoga publicly, thereby breaking the centuries-old tradition 
     of secrecy surrounding it;
       Whereas in 1969, Yogi Bhajan founded ``Healthy, Happy, Holy 
     Organization (3HO)'', a nonprofit private educational and 
     scientific foundation dedicated to serving humanity, 
     improving physical well-being, deepening spiritual awareness, 
     and offering guidance on nutrition and health, interpersonal 
     relations, child rearing, and human behavior;
       Whereas under the direction and guidance of Yogi Bhajan, 
     3HO expanded to 300 centers in 35 countries;
       Whereas in 1971, the president of the governing body of 
     Sikh Temples in India gave Yogi Bhajan the title of Siri 
     Singh Sahib, which made him the chief religious and 
     administrative authority for Sikhism in the Western 
     Hemisphere, and subsequently the Sikh seat of religious 
     authority gave him responsibility to create a Sikh ministry 
     in the West;
       Whereas in 1971, Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated in 
     the State of California and recognized as a tax-exempt 
     religious organization by the United States, and in 1972, 
     Yogi Bhajan founded the ashram Sikh Dharma in Espanola, New 
     Mexico;

[[Page S11504]]

       Whereas in 1973, Yogi Bhajan founded ``3HO SuperHealth'', a 
     successful drug rehabilitation program that blends ancient 
     yogic wisdom of the East with modern technology of the West;
       Whereas in June 1985, Yogi Bhajan established the first 
     ``International Peace Prayer Day Celebrations'' in New 
     Mexico, which still draws thousands of participants annually;
       Whereas Yogi Bhajan traveled the world calling for world 
     peace and religious unity at meetings with leaders such as 
     Pope Paul VI; Pope John Paul II; His Holiness the Dalai Lama; 
     the President of the former Union of Soviet Socialist 
     Republics, Mikhail Gorbachev; and two Archbishops of 
     Canterbury;
       Whereas Yogi Bhajan wrote 30 books and inspired the 
     publication of 200 other books through his teachings, founded 
     a drug rehabilitation program, and inspired the founding of 
     several businesses;
       Whereas Sikhs and students across the world testify that 
     Yogi Bhajan exhibited dignity, divinity, grace, commitment, 
     courage, kindness, compassion, tolerance, wisdom, and 
     understanding;
       Whereas Yogi Bhajan taught that in times of joy and sorrow 
     members of the community should come together and be at one 
     with each other; and
       Whereas before his passing on October 6, 2004, Yogi Bhajan 
     requested that his passing be a time of celebration of his 
     going home: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes that the teachings of Yogi Bhajan about 
     Sikhism and yoga, and the businesses formed under his 
     inspiration, improved the personal, political, spiritual, and 
     professional relations between citizens of the United States 
     and the citizens of India;
       (2) recognizes the legendary compassion, wisdom, kindness, 
     and courage of Yogi Bhajan, and his wealth of accomplishments 
     on behalf of the Sikh community; and
       (3) extends its condolences to Inderjit Kaur, the wife of 
     Yogi Bhajan, his 3 children and 5 grandchildren, and to Sikh 
     and ``Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO)'' communities 
     around the Nation and the world upon the death on October 6, 
     2004, of Yogi Bhajan, an individual who was a wise teacher 
     and mentor, an outstanding pioneer, a champion of peace, and 
     a compassionate human being.

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues, 
Senators Domenici and Cornyn, to introduce a resolution honoring the 
life of Yogi Bhajan. Yogi Bhajan, the chief religious and 
administrative authority for Sikhism in the West, died in Espanola, NM, 
on October 6, 2004, at the age of 75. Born Harbhajan Singh Puri on 
August 26, 1929, in Northern India, now Pakistan, he began yogic 
training at age 8 and was proclaimed a master of Kundalini Yoga by age 
16. After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, his family 
migrated to New Delhi, India, where he continued his education. after 
graduating from Punjab University in economics, he worked for India's 
Internal Revenue Service and later became head of customs at the New 
Delhi Airport.
  Yogi Bhajan introduced thousands around the world to Sikhism, a 
religion that carries the message of truthful living and the 
fundamental unity of humanity, and reaches out to people of all 
backgrounds to work together for world peace. When he came to North 
America in 1968, he recognized that the experience sought by many young 
people through drugs could be alternatively achieved through Kundalini 
Yoga, which stimulates individual growth through breath, chanting, and 
meditation among other components. Breaking the centuries old tradition 
of secrecy surrounding Kundalini Yoga, he began teaching it publicly. 
Soon after, he founded the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO), a 
nonprofit private educational and scientific foundation with 300 
centers in 35 countries, dedicated to improving physical well-being, 
deepening spiritual awareness, and offering guidance on matters of 
health and heart. He later founded 3HO SuperHealth, a successful drug 
rehabilitation program, blending ancient yogic wisdom of the East with 
the modern technology of the West. SuperHealth was accredited by the 
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization and 
received its highest commendation. In 1973 it distinguished itself as 
being in the top 10 percent of all treatment programs throughout the 
United States. In 1989 Yogi Bhajan met with then President Mikhail 
Gorbachev and established addiction treatment programs in Russia based 
on the 3HO SuperHealth model. Currently a pilot project of SuperHealth 
is being formed by the Punjab State Government in India. He taught Yoga 
in Toronto and Los Angeles and finally founded a Sikh Dharma community 
in Espanola, NM. In 1971, the president of the governing body of Sikh 
Temples in India gave Yogi Bhajan the title of chief religious and 
administrative authority for Sikhism in the Western Hemisphere. About 
250,000 Sikhs now reside across the United States, including a 
community of about 500 families in Northern New Mexico.
  Yogi Bhajan wrote 30 books and inspired 200 more through his 
teaching, and inspired the founding of several businesses, including 
Akal Security Inc. He had an inclusive view of the world's major 
religions and considered all of them valid. Throughout his lifetime, he 
traveled the world and met with world leaders such as Pope John Paul II 
and the Dalai Lama to discuss world peace and religious unity. In June 
1985, Yogi Bhajan established the first International Peace Prayer Day 
Celebration in New Mexico that stills draws thousands of participants 
annually.
  After the events of 9/11/01, Yogi Bhajan reached out to Sikhs across 
America, encouraging and helping them to educate their fellow citizens 
about Sikhs, and to work with law enforcement and community leaders to 
help them protect Sikh populations. His efforts have helped contribute 
to the opening of some major law enforcement agencies to Sikh 
employees, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Yogi 
Bhajan established links to human rights advocates nationwide, working 
to make sure that the issue of Sikh identity is understood and 
respected. When Balbir Singh Sodhi was murdered in Phoenix 5 days after 
9/11 because of his beard and turban, Yogi Bhajan worked with community 
and government leaders in Arizona to help raise awareness about the 
Sikh community there.
  Yogi Bhajan is survived by his wife, Inderjit Kaur; two sons, Ranbir 
Singh and Kulbir Singh; a daughter, Kamaljit Kaur; and five 
grandchildren. He will be missed by his family, followers and his 
friends, and his contribution to the cause of world peace will be 
remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 149--COMMENDING THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
  ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION AND ITS EMPLOYEES FOR ITS DEDICATION AND 
     HARD WORK DURING HURRICANES CHARLEY, FRANCES, IVAN, AND JEANNE

  Mr. HOLLINGS (for himself, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Lott, and Mr. 
Breaux) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                            S. Con. Res. 149

       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration's National Weather Service consistently 
     provides critical forecasts and warnings about severe weather 
     to the Nation's citizens;
       Whereas 4 hurricanes, Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne, 
     recently hit the State of Florida, an event which has not 
     occurred since 4 hurricanes struck Texas in 1886;
       Whereas Hurricane Jeanne was the fourth hurricane in 6 
     weeks to hit the United States mainland;
       Whereas the employees of the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration Tropical Prediction Center/
     National Hurricane Center and the employees of key Southern 
     Region Weather Forecast Offices worked tirelessly and under 
     great pressure to provide the most up to date information to 
     the public, the media, and emergency management officials 
     during Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas the employees of the National Hurricane Center 
     conducted approximately 1,128 live television and radio 
     interviews as well as 1,480 telephone briefings to the media 
     and others during Hurricane Frances;
       Whereas the forecasts and information from the National 
     Hurricane Center provided notice for the evacuation of 
     millions of residents in the line of Hurricanes Charley, 
     Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne and warnings to the residents of 
     Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana;
       Whereas the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research's 
     Hurricane Research Division at the Atlantic Oceanographic and 
     Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Florida conducts the 
     research needed to improve hurricane forecasts and went on 
     flights in and around hurricanes to gather and improve data 
     that goes into the National Hurricane Center's forecasts, 
     watches, and warnings to protect lives and property;
       Whereas the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research's 
     Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, New 
     Jersey developed, carefully monitors, and continues to 
     improve the National Weather Service's operational hurricane 
     model used to determine where the storms are likely to go;

[[Page S11505]]

       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration's Marine and Aviation Operation's Hurricane 
     Hunters logged over 300 hours of operational hours of flight 
     time through and above the storms to assist the National 
     Hurricane Center in tracking Hurricanes Charley, Frances, 
     Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the 
     403rd Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command at Keesler Air 
     Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi, logged 739 hours of flight 
     time through and around the storms to assist the National 
     Hurricane Center in tracking Hurricanes Charley, Frances, 
     Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas the Hurricane Liaison Team, a joint National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency partnership, provided support to the 25 
     different media outlets operating out of the National 
     Hurricane Center;
       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration's Hydrometeoro- logical Prediction Center 
     provided rainfall forecasts and hurricane track guidance to 
     the National Hurricane Center;
       Whereas the National Weather Service's National Data Buoy 
     Center, in partnership with the United States Coast Guard, 
     worked expediently after Hurricane Charley to fix data buoys 
     that proved critical for forecasts of Hurricane Frances, 
     Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration's National Ocean Service provided storm surge 
     predictions and hydrographic information support to Federal 
     partners before, during, and after Hurricanes Charley, 
     Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration's National Environmental Satellite Data and 
     Information Service provided images of Hurricane Frances 
     every 5 minutes over a 4-day period, an unprecedented number 
     of images for hurricane tracking;
       Whereas the Southern, Eastern, and Central Region Weather 
     Forecast Offices of San Juan, Miami, Tampa Bay, Key West, 
     Melbourne, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Birmingham, 
     Huntsville, Mobile, Morristown, Charleston, Morehead City, 
     Wilmington, Wakefield, and Taunton provided up-to-the-minute 
     local details for residents throughout Hurricanes Charley, 
     Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas employees from other offices within the Southern 
     Region provided additional support to key Weather Forecast 
     Offices directly impacted by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, 
     Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas more than 7,000 watches, warnings, advisories, and 
     other statements were issued by key local Weather Forecast 
     Offices during Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne;
       Whereas the Southeast River Forecast Center provided 
     critical river flooding forecast information to Federal, 
     State, and private partners during Hurricanes Charley, 
     Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne and accurately predicted the amount 
     of excessive rainfall over the Southeastern United States 
     several days in advance; and
       Whereas the hurricane season continues through November, 
     and all these employees continue tracking new tropical 
     depressions approaching the United States coast: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),  That the Congress--
       (1) commends the employees of the National Weather Service, 
     especially the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane 
     Center, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and National 
     Data Buoy Center; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration Aircraft Operations Center at MacDill Air 
     Force Base, Tampa, Florida; the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance 
     Squadron of the 403rd Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command 
     at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi; the Hurricane 
     Liaison Team; the National Ocean Service; and the National 
     Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service, for 
     their extraordinary dedication and hard work during 
     Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne;
       (2) commends the Southern, Eastern, and Central Region 
     Weather Forecast Offices of San Juan, Miami, Tampa Bay, Key 
     West, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Atlanta, 
     Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Morristown, Charleston, 
     Morehead City, Wilmington, Wakefield, Taunton, Lake Charles, 
     New Orleans, Jackson, Nashville, and Houston for their 
     extraordinary dedication and hard work during Hurricanes 
     Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne;
       (3) commends the employees of the Office of Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Research, especially the Hurricane Research 
     Division;
       (4) thanks the commercial and media meteorologists for 
     their contributions in disseminating the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration forecasts and warnings to the 
     public; and
       (5) expresses its support for the ongoing hard work and 
     dedication of all who provide accurate and timely hurricane 
     forecasts.

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