[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 357--URGING THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO 
       OBSERVE GLOBAL FAMILY DAY AND ONE DAY OF PEACE AND SHARING

  Mr. INOUYE (for himself and Mr. Reid) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 357

       Whereas in 2009, the people of the world suffered many 
     calamitous events, including devastation from tsunamis, 
     terror attacks, wars, famines, genocides, hurricanes, 
     earthquakes, political and religious conflicts, diseases, 
     poverty, and rioting, all necessitating global cooperation, 
     compassion, and unity previously unprecedented among diverse 
     cultures, faiths, and economic classes;
       Whereas grave global challenges in 2010 may require 
     cooperation and innovative problem-solving among citizens and 
     nations on an even greater scale;
       Whereas on December 15, 2000, Congress adopted Senate 
     Concurrent Resolution 138, expressing the sense of Congress 
     that the President of the United States should issue a 
     proclamation each year calling upon the people of the United 
     States and interested organizations to observe an 
     international day of peace and sharing at the beginning of 
     each year;
       Whereas in 2001, the United Nations General Assembly 
     adopted Resolution 56/2, which invited ``Member States, 
     intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and all 
     the peoples of the world to celebrate One Day in Peace, 1 
     January 2002, and every year thereafter'';
       Whereas many foreign heads of State have recognized the 
     importance of establishing Global Family Day, a special day 
     of international unity, peace, and sharing, on the first day 
     of each year; and
       Whereas family is the basic structure of humanity, thus, we 
     must all look to the stability and love within our individual 
     families to create stability in the global community: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate urgently requests--
       (1) the people of the United States to observe Global 
     Family Day and One Day of Peace and Sharing with appropriate 
     activities stressing the need--
       (A) to eradicate violence, hunger, poverty, and suffering; 
     and
       (B) to establish greater trust and fellowship among peace-
     loving countries and families everywhere; and
       (2) American businesses, labor organizations, and faith and 
     civic leaders to join in promoting appropriate activities for 
     Americans and in extending appropriate greetings from the 
     families of the United States to families in the rest of the 
     world.

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today, I am submitting a Senate resolution 
to observe Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, and am 
pleased to be joined in this endeavor by Senator Reid.
  We are a global society, interconnected by highly efficient modes of 
communication and transportation. With continued advancements in 
technology, nations will become even more interdependent upon each 
other. For this reason, I will continue to support and advocate for 
world peace. This is not a lofty pursuit. I have great confidence that 
if nations use everything at their disposal, they can promote peaceful, 
diplomatic options instead of war.

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