[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 103 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S8364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 253--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY THROUGH 
                 PRIVATE DONATIONS IS A WORTHY ENDEAVOR

  Mr. LUGAR (for himself and Mr. Biden) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 253

       Whereas the role of diplomacy in the foreign policy of the 
     United States deserves recognition;
       Whereas the day-to-day efforts of American diplomats 
     serving in overseas embassies and in the United States also 
     deserve recognition;
       Whereas, in 1998, the Department of State began to explore 
     the feasibility of establishing a Museum of the History of 
     American Diplomacy (in this resolution referred to as the 
     ``Museum'');
       Whereas the Foreign Affairs Museum Council (in this 
     resolution referred to as the ``Council''), a 501(c)(3) 
     charitable foundation, was created subsequently to raise 
     funds for the Museum through donations from private sector 
     organizations, former diplomats, and concerned citizens;
       Whereas no taxpayer funds will be used for the 
     establishment of the Museum;
       Whereas former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, 
     Alexander Haig, George Schultz, James Baker III, Lawrence 
     Eagleburger, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, and 
     Colin Powell serve as Honorary Directors of the Council;
       Whereas experienced and noteworthy diplomats and foreign 
     policy experts, including Elizabeth Bagley, Keith Brown, 
     Frank Carlucci, Elinor Constable, Leslie Gelb, William 
     Harrop, Arthur Hartman, Herbert Hansell, Stephen Low, Thomas 
     Pickering, Richard Solomon, and Terence Todman, serve on the 
     Board of Directors of the Council;
       Whereas former members of the Senate, including the 
     Honorable Paul Sarbanes, and of the House of Representatives, 
     including the Honorable Lee Hamilton, also serve on the Board 
     of Directors of the Council;
       Whereas the Honorable Charles ``Mac'' Mathias, a former 
     Senator and member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
     the Senate, is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of 
     the Council;
       Whereas the Council has already raised over $1,300,000 
     through private donations; and
       Whereas $300,000 has been spent to complete an initial 
     concept design for the Museum: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the diplomats of the United States serving overseas and 
     in the United States are in many cases the front line of our 
     national security policy;
       (2) the people of the United States deserve a better 
     understanding of the efforts of these brave men and women;
       (3) talented young people and their families should be 
     encouraged to consider careers in foreign affairs as an 
     important contribution to their country;
       (4) the establishment of a Museum of the History of 
     American Diplomacy that highlights the work of these men and 
     women throughout the history of the United States is a worthy 
     endeavor; and
       (5) the current plan of the Foreign Affairs Museum Council 
     to fund the museum through private donations is appropriate 
     and deserves the support of the Department of State.

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