[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOULTUION 594--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT SENATOR 
 PAUL WELLSTONE SHOULD BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS COMPASSION AND LEADERSHIP 
  ON SOCIAL ISSUES AND THAT CONGRESS SHOULD ACT TO END DISCRIMINATION 
AGAINST CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO LIVE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS BY 
MAKING LEGISLATION RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH PARITY A PRIORITY FOR THE 
                             110TH CONGRESS

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Harkin, Mr. 
Dayton, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Reed, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. 
Lautenberg) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 594

       Whereas Paul Wellstone served with distinction as a Senator 
     from the State of Minnesota;
       Whereas, for more than 20 years, Paul Wellstone inspired 
     the students of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota;
       Whereas Paul Wellstone was a loving father and husband, a 
     loyal citizen of the United States, and a compassionate 
     person;
       Whereas Paul Wellstone dedicated his life to bringing equal 
     access to education, economic opportunity, and comprehensive 
     healthcare to all citizens of the United States;
       Whereas Paul Wellstone worked tirelessly to advance mental 
     health parity for all citizens of the United States;
       Whereas more than 44,000,000 citizens of the United States 
     suffer from some form of a mental health-related condition;
       Whereas only \1/3\ of those citizens seek or receive 
     treatment for their mental health-related condition;
       Whereas 34 States have enacted laws that require some form 
     of access to mental health treatments that is similar to 
     physical health coverage; and
       Whereas the tragic and premature death of Paul Wellstone on 
     October 25, 2002, silenced 1 of the leading voices of the 
     Senate who spoke on behalf of the citizens of the United 
     States who live with a mental illness: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) on the fourth anniversary of his passing, Senator Paul 
     Wellstone should be remembered for his compassion and 
     leadership on social issues throughout his career;
       (2) Congress should act to help citizens of the United 
     States who live with a mental illness by enacting legislation 
     to provide for equal coverage of mental health benefits with 
     respect to health insurance coverage unless comparable limits 
     are imposed on medical and surgical benefits; and
       (3) mental health parity legislation should be a priority 
     for consideration in the 110th Congress.

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