[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1689-S1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN MOLDOVA
______
RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL READY MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION ON ITS 75TH
ANNIVERSARY
______
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A ``ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DAY''
______
CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASSINATION OF PRIME MINISTER
RAFIQ HARIRI
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 60, S. Res. 61, S.
Res. 62, and S. Res. 63, which were submitted earlier today, en bloc;
that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the
motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolutions (S. Res. 60, S. Res. 61, S. Res. 62, and S. Res. 63)
were agreed to.
The preambles were agreed to.
The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:
S. Res. 60
Whereas, on August 27, 1991, Moldova declared independence
from the Soviet Union;
Whereas parliaments were elected in Moldova in free and
fair multiparty elections during 1990, 1994, and 1998;
Whereas international observers stated that the May 2003
local elections for mayors and regional councilors, despite
scattered reports of irregularities, were generally
consistent with international election standards;
Whereas Freedom House, a non-profit, nonpartisan
organization working to advance the expansion of political
and economic freedom, has designated Moldova's political
environment as ``partly free'' and, using a scale of 1 to 7
(with 1 being the most free), assigned a rating of 3 for
political rights in Moldova and 4 for civil liberties in
Moldova;
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 candidates from presenting their views and qualifications
to potential voters;
Whereas, in a genuinely democratic election, parties and
candidates are free to organize supporters and conduct public
meetings and events;
Whereas ensuring that parties and candidates enjoy
unimpeded access to television, radio, print, and Internet
media on a nondiscriminatory basis is fundamental to a free,
fair, and democratic election;
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 to seek and acquire information upon which
to make an informed vote in a manner that is 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 Moldova is scheduled to conduct parliamentary
elections on March 6, 2005;
Whereas reports indicate that national and local officials
in Moldova are increasing their control and manipulation of
the media as the election date approaches;
Whereas there have been widespread reports of harassment of
opposition candidates and workers by the police in Moldova;
Whereas other reports indicate that intimidation of
independent civil society monitoring groups by authorities in
Moldova is occurring on an increasingly frequent basis;
Whereas such actions are inconsistent with Moldova's
history of the holding of free and fair elections and raise
grave concerns regarding the commitment of the authorities in
Moldova to conducting free and fair elections;
Whereas the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 6,
2005 will provide a test of the extent to which the
Government of Moldova is committed to democracy, free
elections, and the rule of law; and
Whereas the holding of truly free and fair elections in
Moldova, including a free and democratic campaign preceding
an election, are vital to improving the relationship between
Moldova and the United States and to the United States
providing support for resolution of the Transnistria conflict
and for the provision of assistance to Moldova through the
Millennium Challenge Account: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong relationship
formed between the United States and Moldova since Moldova
declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 27,
1991;
(2) recognizes that a precondition for the full integration
of Moldova into the Western community of nations is the
establishment of a genuinely democratic political system in
Moldova;
(3) supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial
integrity of Moldova;
(4) encourages all political parties in Moldova to offer
genuine solutions to the serious problems that face Moldova,
including human trafficking, corruption, unemployment, and
territorial issues;
(5) expresses its strong and continuing support for the
efforts of the people of Moldova to establish full democracy,
including the rule of law and respect for human rights;
(6) urges the Government of Moldova to meet its commitments
to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) for the holding of democratic elections;
(7) urges the Government of Moldova to ensure--
(A) the full transparency of election procedures before,
during, and after the parliamentary elections scheduled to be
held on March 6, 2005;
(B) the right to vote for all citizens of Moldova;
(C) unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to
print, radio, television, and Internet media on a
nondiscriminatory basis; and
(D) the right of opposition candidates and workers to
engage in campaigning free of harassment, discrimination, and
intimidation; and
(8) pledges its enduring support and assistance to the
people of Moldova for the establishment of a fully free and
open democratic system that is free from coercion, the
creation of a prosperous free market economy, the
establishment of a secure independence, and Moldova's
assumption of its rightful place as a full and equal member
of the Western community of democracies.
S. Res. 61
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association was
founded and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
on the 26th day of December, 1930;
Whereas the founders of the National Ready Mixed Concrete
Association possessed the leadership and vision to establish
a single voice for the ready mixed concrete industry;
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
represents and acts on behalf of the industry before all
divisions of government and those public and private
organizations whose work affects the ready mixed concrete
business;
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has
been a pioneer in the field of concrete technology through
groundbreaking research and advanced scientific methods in
the practical use and applications of ready mixed concrete;
[[Page S1690]]
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has
gained national distinction by developing innovative
breakthroughs in engineering, aggressive market promotion,
and its contribution toward the creation of the first
undergraduate degree in concrete industry management in the
United States;
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association leads
the concrete industry through its education and certification
programs;
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association today
represents 1,300 producer member companies, both national and
multinational, that employ thousands of workers and operate
in every congressional district in the United States;
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
continues today to assist producers in the ready mixed
concrete community through the introduction of innovative
safety procedures, modern health initiatives, and progressive
environmental control programs in an effort to enhance the
performance level of the industry; and
Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association will
continue to look toward the future by forging alliances
within the ready mixed community, and by becoming more
educated in business operations and more knowledgeable about
the product and the role of ready mixed concrete in the
construction and building of the United States: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Senate--
(1) congratulates the National Ready Mixed Concrete
Association for its 75 year history and its contributions to
the construction of the infrastructure of the United States,
including homes, buildings, bridges, and highways;
(2) recognizes that the National Ready Mixed Concrete
Association has been and will continue to be an invaluable
asset in developing the history and character of the United
States; and
(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy
of this resolution to the National Ready Mixed Concrete
Association as an expression of appreciation and for public
display at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's
2005 national convention.
Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, it is my honor to submit today a
resolution congratulating the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
on reaching a historic milestone--its 75th anniversary. The NRMCA
entered this world in 1930 when the Nation was facing some trying
times. The country was suffering from a deep economic depression and
midwestern farmers were struggling through a drought. Still, many
people were flocking to the movies to see ``All Quiet on the Western
Front'' and ``Cimarron,'' which went on to win the Academy Award for
best picture. Golfer Bobby Jones won both the British Open and the U.S.
Open and in Pennsylvania, a group of men met to officially form the
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
The founders of the NRMCA wanted to establish a single voice for the
ready mixed concrete industry to represent the industry before all
levels of government. They wanted the NRMCA to set product quality
standards for the entire ready mixed concrete industry, without
governmental intervention or mandates.
If you were to ask the founders today about the progress of their
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, I am certain the founders
would be proud of the association's accomplishments and the quality of
the ongoing work.
While the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association continues to
represent the ready mixed industry, it has also become the leader in
the practical use and applications of ready mixed concrete, a pioneer
in the development and implementation of its education and
certification programs, and a strong hand reaching out to ready mixed
concrete State associations, ready mixed producers, and other members
across the country.
In my State, the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete Association has a
close working relationship with the NRMCA. These benefits can be felt
across the State as the use of ready mixed concrete continues to
increase. In the latest data, Oklahoma ready mixed production hit
5,440,000 cubic yards by the end of 2003. That is an increase of more
than 1 million cubic yards from just 7 years earlier when ready mixed
concrete production was at 4,206,000 cubic yards.
The growing use of ready mixed concrete has spurred a host of new
ready mixed concrete companies and businesses in the State and made the
ones already in existence even stronger. People in Oklahoma know some
of the names of the ready mixed companies just by the names on the side
of the concrete trucks traveling on the roads and highways. Familiar
names include:
Adair: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Stillwell, OK; Twin
Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tahlequah, OK.
Alfalfa: Alva Concrete, Alva, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Enid,
OK; Enid Concrete Co., Inc., Enid, OK; Kimball/Fairview Ready
Mix, Inc., Fairview, OK.
Atoka: Harold's Redi Mix, Lehigh, OK; Joe Brown Co., Inc.,
Atoka, OK; Rustin Concrete Company, Atoka, OK; Twin Cities
Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, OK.
Beckham: Dolese Bros. Co., Elk City, OK.
Blaine: B & W Ready Mix, Inc., Watonga/Okeene, OK; Ogle
Ready Mix, Inc., Kingfisher, OK.
Bryan: Dolese Bros. Co., Durant, OK; Rustin Concrete
Company, Durant, OK.
Caddo: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Chickasha, OK; Carnegie
Concrete Company, Carnegie, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Anadarko,
OK.
Canadian: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Tuttle, OK; Dolese
Bros. Co., El Reno/Piedmont/Yukon, OK; Ensey Concrete &
Construction, Okahoma City, OK; Ogle ReadyMix, Inc.,
Kingfisher, OK; Schwarz Ready Mix, Inc., El Reno, OK--Yukon,
OK--Piedmont, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, Oklahoma City, OK.
Carter: Day Concrete & Block Company, Ardmore, OK; Dolese
Bros. Co., Ardmore, OK.
Cherokee: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Tahlequah, OK; Twin
Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tahlequah, OK--Muskogee.
Choctaw: Rustin Concrete Company, Hugo, OK.
Cleveland: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Tuttle, OK; Dolese
Bros. Co., Moore/Norman, OK; Ensey Concrete & Construction,
Oklahoma City, OK; Perma Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; Schwarz
Ready Mix, Inc., Norman, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, Oklahoma
City, OK.
Coal: Harold's Redi Mix, Lehigh, OK; Jennings Stone Co.,
Inc., Ada, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Ada, OK; Rustin Concrete
Company, Atoka, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester,
OK.
Comanche: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Cache/Lawton, OK;
Lawton Transit Mix, Inc., Lawton, OK; Southwest Ready Mix,
Lawton, OK.
Cotton: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Duncan--Duncan, Cache/
Lawton, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Duncan, OK; Lawton Transit Mix,
Inc., Lawton, OK; Southwest Ready Mix Lawton, OK.
Craig: Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc.,
Vinita, OK.
Creek: Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc.,
Tulsa, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tulsa, OK.
Custer: Dolese Bros. Co., Clinton, OK--Weatherford, OK.
Delaware: Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc.,
Grove, OK; NEO Concrete & Materials (DBA Green Country
Concrete), Grove, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc.,
Tahlequah, OK.
Dewey: Kimball Ready Mix, Inc., Seiling, OK.
Garfield: Dolese Bros. Co., Enid, OK; Enid Concrete Co.,
Inc., Enid, OK.
Garvin: L.A. Jacobson, Inc., Pauls Valley, OK--Lindsay, OK;
Wynnewood, OK.
Grady: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Chickasha, OK--Tuttle,
OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Chickasha, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC,
Oklahoma City, OK; Schwarz Ready Mix, Inc., Tuttle, OK.
Grant: Dolese Bros. Co., Enid, OK; Enid Concrete Co., Inc.,
Enid, OK; PC Concrete Company, Inc., Ponca City, OK.
Greer: Altus Ready Mix, Altus/Hobart, OK; Southwest Ready
Mix, Altus, OK.
Harmon: Altus Ready Mix, Altus, OK; Southwest Ready Mix,
Altus, OK.
Haskell: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Webbers Falls, OK; Twin
Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester--Stigler, OK; Wilburton,
OK.
Hughes: Van Eaton Ready Mix, Holdenville, OK.
Jackson: Altus Ready Mix, Altus, OK; Southwest Ready Mix,
Altus, OK.
Jefferson: Dolese Bros. Co., Waurika, OK.
Johnston: Jennings Stone Co., Inc., Ada, OK; Dolese Bros.
Co., Tishomingo, OK.
Kay: PC Concrete Company, Inc., Ponca City, OK.
Kingfisher: Ogle Ready Mix, Inc., Kingfisher, OK; Schwarz
Ready Mix, Inc., Okarche, OK.
Kiowa: Carnegie Concrete Company, Carnegie, OK; Altus Ready
Mix, Altus/Hobart, OK.
Latimer: Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester--Wilburton,
OK; Poteau--Stigler, OK.
Leflore: Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Poteau, OK--Stigler,
OK; Wilburton, OK.
Lincoln: Dolese Bros. Co., Stillwater, OK; Kerns Ready
Mixed Concrete, Stillwater, OK; Perma Ready Mix, Newalla, OK;
Stillwater Concrete & Materials, Inc., Stillwater, OK; Block
Sand Company, McLoud, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Shawnee, OK; Van
Eaton Ready Mix, Shawnee, OK.
Logan: Dolese Bros. Co., Guthrie, OK; Ogle Ready Mix, Inc.
Love: Dolese Bros. Co., Marietta, OK.
Major: Kimball Ready Mix, Inc., Fairview, OK.
Marshall: Dolese Bros. Co., Madill, OK; Rustin Concrete
Company Madill, OK.
Mayes: Kemp Stone Company, Inc., Pryor, OK; Mayes County
Petroleum Pryor, OK; Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-
Okla., Inc., Pryor, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc.,
Tahlequah--Tulsa, OK.
McClain: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Newcastle, OK; Dolese
Bros. Co., Newcastle, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Blanchard, OK;
L.A. Jacobson, Inc., Purcell, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC,
Oklahoma City, OK.
[[Page S1691]]
McCurtain: Rustin Concrete Company, Broken Bow, OK--Idabel,
OK, Valliant, OK.
McIntosh: Foresee Ready Mix Concrete, Eufaula, OK--
Checotah, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester--
Muskogee, OK, Stigler, OK.
Murray: Dolese Bros. Co., Davis, OK--Sulphur, OK.
Muskogee: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Webbers Falls, OK;
Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Muskogee, OK--Tahlequah Tulsa,
OK.
Noble: Perry Ready Mix, Inc., Perry, OK.
Nowata: Bartlesville Redi-Mix, Inc., Bartlesville, OK;
Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc., Vinita, OK.
Okfuskee: Van Eaton Ready Mix, Holdenville, OK.
Oklahoma: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Tuttle, OK; Dolese
Bros. Co., Oklahoma City/Edmond/Midwest City, OK; Ensey
Concrete & Construction, Oklahoma City/Midwest City, OK;
Goddard Ready Mixed Concrete, Oklahoma City/Choctaw/Midwest
City, OK; Perma Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; Schwarz Ready Mix,
Inc., Oklahoma City, OK--Edmond, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC,
Oklahoma City, OK.
Okmulgee: Okmulgee Ready Mix Concrete Co., Twin Cities
Ready Mix, Tulsa, OK.
Osage: Bartlesville Redi-Mix, Inc., Bartlesville, OK; Black
Gold Concrete Skiatook, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc.,
Tulsa, OK.
Ottawa: NEO Concrete & Materials (DBA Miami Concrete),
Miami, OK; NEO Concrete & Materials (DBA Fairland Ready Mix),
Fairland, OK.
Pawnee: Perry Ready Mix, Inc., Perry, OK.
Payne: Dolese Bros. Co., Stillwater, OK; Kerns Ready Mixed
Concrete, Stillwater, OK.
Pittsburg: Dolese Bros. Co., McAlester, OK; Twin Cities
Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, OK-Wilburton, OK.
Pontotoc: Jennings Stone Co., Inc., Ada, OK; Dolese Bros.
Co., Ada, OK; L.A. Jacobson, Inc., Stratford, OK.
Pottawatomie: Block Sand Company, McLoud, OK; Ensey
Concrete & Construction, Dolese Bros. Co., Shawnee, OK; Perma
Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; Van Eaton Ready Mix, Inc., Shawnee,
OK.
Pushmataha: Rustin Concrete Company, Antlers, OK; Twin
Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, OK-Wilburton, OK.
Roger Mills: Dolese Bros. Co., Elk City, OK.
Rogers: A & M Concrete, Inc., Catoosa, OK; Black Gold
Concrete, Skiatook, OK; Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-
Okla., Inc., Collinsville, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc.,
Tulsa, OK.
Seminole: Dolese Bros. Co., Seminole, OK.
Sequouah: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Sallisaw, OK; Twin
Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Muskogee, OK-Tahlequah, Poteau, OK.
Stephens: Atlas-Tuck Concrete Co., Inc., Duncan/Marlow, OK;
Dolese Bros. Co., Duncan, OK.
Tillman: Atlas-Tuck Concrete Co., Inc., Frederick, OK.
Tulsa: Black Gold Concrete, Skiatook, OK; J & J Sand Co.,
Broken Arrow, OK; Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla.,
Inc., Tulsa/Bixby, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tulsa,
OK; Viking Concrete Company, Broken Arrow, OK.
Wagoner: A & M Concrete, Inc., Catoosa, OK; Greenhill
Materials, Catoosa, OK; Ark River Sand of Oklahoma, Coweta,
OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Muskogee, OK-Tahlequah,
Tulsa, OK.
Washington: Bartlesville Redi-Mix, Inc., Bartlesville, OK;
Black Gold Concrete, Skiatook, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix,
Inc., Tulsa, OK.
Washita: Carnegie Concrete Company, Carnegie, OK; Dolese
Bros. Co., Cordell, OK.
Woods: Alva Concrete Alva, OK.
Producer members of the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete
Association include: A & M Concrete, Inc.; Altus Ready-Mix,
Inc.; Alva Concrete; Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co.; Atlas-Tuck
Concrete, Inc.; B & W Ready Mix, L.L.C.; Bartlesville Redi-
Mix, Inc.; Black Gold Concrete; Block Sand Company, Inc.;
Carnegie Concrete Company; Day Concrete & Block Co.; Dolese
Bros. Co.; Enid Concrete Company; Foresee Ready Mix Concrete,
Inc.; Goddard Concrete Co., Inc.; Jennings Stone Co., Inc.;
Kerns Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc.; Kimball Ready Mix, Inc.;
L.A. Jacobson, Inc.; Lawton Transit Mix, Inc.; NEO Concrete &
Materials, Inc.; DBA Fairland Ready-Mix; NEO Concrete &
Materials, Inc.; DBA Green Country Concrete; NEO Concrete &
Materials, Inc.; DBA Miami Concrete; Ogle Ready Mix, Inc.;
Okmulgee Ready Mix Concrete Co.; PC Concrete Company, Inc.;
Perma Ready Mix; Perry Ready-Mix, Inc.; Rustin Concrete
Company; Schwarz Ready Mix, Inc.; Sooner Ready Mix, L.L.C.;
Southwest Ready Mix; Stillwater Concrete & Materials, Inc.;
Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc.; Van Eaton Ready Mix, Inc.
In fact, these ready mixed concrete companies operating in the State
today help Oklahoma grow.
All along, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has been in
the forefront serving as a single voice for the industry.
I have had a close relationship with the National Ready Mixed
Concrete Association ever since I was elected to Congress in 1986. It
is in this spirit that I offer this resolution congratulating the
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association on its 75th anniversary.
S. Res. 62
Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905,
in Chicago, Illinois, is the world's first service club and 1
of the largest nonprofit service organizations;
Whereas there are more than 1.2 million Rotary
International club members comprised of professional and
business leaders in more than 31,000 clubs in more than 165
countries;
Whereas the Rotary International motto, ``Service Above
Self'', inspires members to provide humanitarian service,
meet high ethical standards, and promote international good
will;
Whereas Rotary International funds club projects and
sponsors volunteers with community expertise to provide
medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production,
job training, and education to millions in need, particularly
in developing countries;
Whereas in 1985, Rotary International launched Polio Plus
and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF to
immunize the children of the world against polio;
Whereas polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988,
and the world now stands on the threshold of eradicating the
disease;
Whereas Rotary International is the largest privately-
funded source of international scholarships in the world and
promotes international understanding through scholarships,
exchange programs, and humanitarian grants;
Whereas since 1947, more than 35,000 students from 110
countries have studied abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial
Scholars;
Whereas Rotary International's Group Study Exchange program
has helped more than 46,000 young professionals explore
career fields in other countries;
Whereas 8,000 secondary school students each year
experience life in another country through Rotary
International's Youth Exchange Program;
Whereas over the past 5 years, members of Rotary
International in all 50 States have hosted participants in
Open World, a program sponsored by the Library of Congress,
and therefore have earned the honor of serving as Open
World's most outstanding host;
Whereas there are approximately 400,000 Rotary
International club members in more than 7,700 clubs
throughout the United States sponsoring service projects to
address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger,
illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities
and abroad; and
Whereas February 23, 2005, would be an appropriate date on
which to observe Rotary International Day: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary
International Day'' to celebrate the centennial anniversary
of Rotary International; and
(2) recognizes Rotary International for 100 years of
service to improving the human condition in communities
throughout the world.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I offer this resolution, S. Res. 62,
celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its
centennial anniversary. I am pleased to have Senator Stevens and
Senator Obama join me in submitting this resolution.
From a small gathering of friends in Chicago on February 23, 1905,
Rotary International has grown to become one of the largest non-profit
service organizations in the world. There are approximately 400,000
Rotarians in the United States, and 1.2 million members worldwide.
Rotarians have undertaken countless projects, large and small, to
improve the well-being of communities around the world. They have
promoted international exchange and learning as a means of building
goodwill and understanding between nations.
In 1985, Rotary International began working with the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and
UNICEF toward a bold goal: to eliminate polio from the earth.
Since then, Rotarians have contributed over half a billion dollars
toward the global effort to eradicate polio, and their dedication and
commitment is paying off. Since 1988, the number of polio cases in the
world has dropped by 99 percent. The world now stands on the threshold
of eradicating the disease.
Winston Churchill reminded us, ``We make a living by what we get, we
make a life by what we give.'' With this resolution, we honor the
century of service that the men and women of Rotary International have
given. I look forward to continuing to work with them in the years
ahead.
S. Res. 63
Whereas on February 14, 2005, Rafiq Hariri, the former
Prime Minister of Lebanon, was assassinated in a despicable
terrorist attack;
Whereas the car bomb used in the assassination killed 16
others and injured more than 100 people;
Whereas the intent of the terrorists who carried out the
assassination was to intimidate the Lebanese people and push
Lebanon backward toward chaos;
[[Page S1692]]
Whereas Rafiq Hariri served as Prime Minister of Lebanon
for a total of 10 years since the end of the Lebanese war in
1991;
Whereas Rafiq Hariri helped revitalize the economy of
Lebanon and rebuild its shattered infrastructure and
pioneered and directed the rebirth of Beirut's historic
downtown district;
Whereas Rafiq Hariri stepped down as Prime Minister on
October 20, 2004;
Whereas Syria maintains at least 14,000 troops and a large
number of intelligence personnel in Lebanon;
Whereas there is widespread opposition in Lebanon to the
continuing Syrian presence in Lebanon;
Whereas the United Nations Security Council issued a
Presidential Statement (February 15, 2005) condemning the
terrorist bombing that killed Rafiq Hariri and calling on
``the Lebanese Government to bring to justice the
perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this heinous
terrorist act'';
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559
(September 2, 2004) calls for the political independence and
sovereignty of Lebanon, the withdrawal of foreign forces from
Lebanon, and the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon;
Whereas Syria is the main supporter of the terrorist group
Hezbollah, the only significant remaining armed militia in
Lebanon;
Whereas Hezbollah supports Palestinian terrorist groups and
poses a threat to the prospects for peace in the Middle East;
Whereas the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty
Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note) was enacted
into law on December 12, 2003; and
Whereas the President has recalled the United States
Ambassador to Syria for urgent consultations: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the cowardly and despicable assassination of
Rafiq Hariri, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon;
(2) extends condolences to Prime Minister Hariri's family
and the people of Lebanon;
(3) supports United Nations Security Council Resolution
1559 (September 2, 2004), which calls for the withdrawal of
all foreign forces from Lebanon;
(4) urges the President to seek a United Nations Security
Council resolution that establishes an independent
investigation into the assassination;
(5) urges the President to consider imposing sanctions
under the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty
Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note); and
(6) supports the call of the Lebanese people for an end to
Syria's presence in Lebanon, and for free and fair elections
monitored by international observers.
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, my resolution, S. Res. 63, calls for an
international investigation into Monday's assassination of Prime
Minister Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon. The resolution also urges the
President to take steps to pressure Syria to leave Lebanon.
I am pleased that Senators Lugar, Reid, Levin, Dodd, Corzine, Allen,
and Chafee have joined in co-sponsoring this resolution.
The despicable murder of Rafiq Hariri has deprived Lebanon of a
dedicated and effective leader.
It also is an attempt at intimidating the Lebanese people and pushing
the country backward toward chaos. It must not succeed.
In Lebanon and beyond, many suspect that Syria is responsible. That's
understandable--Syria has an extensive intelligence and military
presence in Lebanon, its opposition to Hariri is well known, and it
continues to play a destabilizing role in Lebanese affairs.
Syria must get out of Lebanon--now.
Prime Minister Hariri's emergence as an opponent to Syrian meddling
in Lebanon was seen as a serious threat in Damascus. The fact that he
was a Muslim holding such opinions was even more problematic, as this
reflects the spread of anti-Syrian sentiment in recent years beyond the
Maronite Christian community.
Cooperation across confessional lines in Lebanon complicates the
ability of Syria to maintain its grip over Lebanese affairs.
That is why Syria forced Prime Minister Hariri to resign last
October. And that is why Syria, through its Lebanese allies, had been
trying to dilute Hariri's influence by redrawing electoral districts
ahead of parliamentary elections due later this Spring.
The resolution I have introduced condemns the assassination, extends
condolences to Mr. Hariri's family and the Lebanese people; it demands
that Syria immediately withdraw its troops and intelligence personnel
from Lebanon; it urges the President ask the United Nations Security
Council to go beyond Tuesday's statement condemning the assassination
by passing a resolution establishing an independent investigation.
I would add parenthetically that many in Lebanon are skeptical of an
investigation that would be carried out by a government they perceive
as taking its orders from Syria.
The resolution urges the President to consider imposing additional
sanctions under the Syria Accountability Act.
Finally, it supports the call of the Lebanese people for an end to
Syria's presence in Lebanon, and for free and fair elections for
parliament this Spring monitored by international observers.
Mr. President, I'd like to add a word about what this resolution does
not do. It does not in any way, shape, or form even hint at supporting
the use of force against Syria.
I think it is important to state that clearly, given the mistrust of
many in Congress over the administration's intentions after the
mishandling of Iraq.
The intent of this resolution is to encourage the President to work
with the international community to investigate the assassination and
to use diplomatic pressure for Syria to leave Lebanon.
In fact, this tragic incident offers an opportunity to work closely
with France. It was French-U.S. cooperation which resulted in the
passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution last September
calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. And just
yesterday President Chirac made a personal visit to Lebanon to console
Hariri's family. I commend him for this important gesture.
I urge President Bush to use his meeting with President Chirac on
Monday to coordinate the next diplomatic steps.
If France were to recall its Ambassador to Syria, the rest of Europe
would follow France's lead. If France and the United States together
called for a United Nations Security Council resolution to establish an
independent investigation, I believe such a resolution would pass. Such
cooperation would send a signal more powerful to the Syrians than any
unilateral U.S. moves.
Given the lingering mistrust between Europe and the U.S. over Iraq,
France may at first be hesitant. That is why I believe President Bush
should engage personally with President Chirac to develop a joint
diplomatic strategy and to dispel any apprehensions about our
intentions.
Mr. President, Rafiq Hariri's assassination was about more than the
murder of one leader. It was an attempt to kill the hopes and
aspirations for freedom in Lebanon.
There are those who argue that we have no national interest in the
independence of Lebanon. Given our bitter experiences in Lebanon, I can
understand their apprehensions. But I disagree that we have no interest
in Lebanese independence.
The Syrian presence in Lebanon enables the terrorist group Hezbollah
to continue to operate as the only significant armed militia 14 years
after the end of the Lebanese civil war. Hezbollah enables Syrian and
Iranian hardliners to try and derail renewed hopes for Israeli-
Palestinian peace. Based on my recent meetings with Israeli and
Palestinian leaders, it is clear that Hezbollah, through its support
for Palestinian terrorist groups, is seen as a significant threat to a
fragile peace process.
That is why I believe we do have an important interest in diminishing
Syria's involvement in Lebanon.
At this moment, it is essential that the forces of terror hear a
unified voice from the civilized world. They must not be seen as
succeeding, lest they are emboldened to take even more aggressive
action in other arenas. Instead, Monday's attack must be seen as a
decisive setback for Syria and its allies.
I urge the President and the Secretary of State to act quickly on the
recommendations offered in this resolution.
Rafiq Hariri's death must not be in vain, and the Lebanese people
whom he served deserve answers--and action.
Let us hope that this barbarous murder marks the beginning of the end
of Syria's presence and interference in Lebanon.
I yield the floor.
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