[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 49 (Friday, March 26, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2167-S2168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

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                      NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH

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             NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR AUXILIARIES DAY

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                      PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions: 
S. Res. 471, S. Res 472, S. Res. 473, and S. Res. 474.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions en bloc.
  Mr. KAUFMAN. I ask unanimous consent 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 were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                              S. Res. 471

       Whereas classes began at The University of Southern 
     Mississippi (referred to in this preamble as ``the 
     University''), originally named Mississippi Normal College, 
     on March 30, 1910;
       Whereas throughout a century of growth, expansion, and 
     changes of name, first to State Teachers College, in 1924, 
     then Mississippi Southern College, in 1940, and ultimately 
     The University of Southern Mississippi, in 1962, the 
     institution has been dedicated to engaging and empowering the 
     citizens of Mississippi to transform lives and communities;
       Whereas the University is the only dual-campus university 
     in Mississippi, and the innovative faculty of the University 
     continues to cultivate intellectual development and 
     creativity through the generation, dissemination, 
     application, and preservation of knowledge by annually 
     educating more than 16,000 students from over 100 countries;
       Whereas the University is the home of numerous innovative 
     and internationally recognized programs that contribute to 
     the successful research enterprise of the University, which 
     generates more than $90,000,000 annually;
       Whereas the University has more than 125,000 graduates, 
     whose talents and skills have reflected favorably on the 
     State of Mississippi and who have served as trailblazers in 
     the areas of politics, entertainment, law, business, 
     professional athletics, and volunteerism, improving the lives 
     of all they have touched;
       Whereas the University is looking ahead as it enters its 
     second century as a premier research university of the Gulf 
     South, with programs in academics, athletics, community 
     service, and the arts that are competitive in the State and 
     region, and throughout the Nation and around the world; and

[[Page S2168]]

       Whereas the significance of this centennial in the 
     development of the University, and the State of Mississippi, 
     cannot be overemphasized: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes The University of Southern Mississippi for 
     100 years of service and excellence in higher education; and
       (2) proudly shares this commemorative occasion with the 
     administration, faculty, students, and alumni of The 
     University of Southern Mississippi.

                              S. Res. 472

       Whereas each year the Nation's underground utility 
     infrastructure--including pipelines and electric, gas, 
     telecommunications, water, sewer, and cable television 
     lines--is jeopardized by unintentional damage due to those 
     who fail to have underground lines located prior to digging;
       Whereas some lines are buried only a few inches 
     underground, making them easy to strike even during shallow 
     digging projects;
       Whereas such digging often has unintended consequences such 
     as service interruption, environmental damage, personal 
     injury, and even death;
       Whereas April is the beginning of the peak of excavation 
     projects around the Nation;
       Whereas in 2002 Congress required the Department of 
     Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission to 
     establish a 3-digit, nationwide toll-free number to be used 
     by State ``One-Call'' systems;
       Whereas in 2005 the Federal Communications Commission 
     designated ``811'' as the nationwide ``One Call'' number for 
     homeowners and all excavators to call before conducting 
     excavation activities;
       Whereas the ``One-Call'' system has helped reduce the 
     number of digging damages caused by failure to call before 
     digging from 57 percent in 2004 to 37.5 percent in 2009;
       Whereas the 1,400 members of the Common Ground Alliance, 
     who are dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental 
     protection, and the integrity of services, promote the 
     national ``Call Before You Dig'' campaign to increase public 
     awareness about the importance, for homeowners and 
     excavators, of calling 811 to find out the exact location of 
     underground lines;
       Whereas the Common Ground Alliance has designated April as 
     National Safe Digging Month in order to increase awareness of 
     safe digging practices across the country and to celebrate 
     the anniversary of 811, the national ``Call Before You Dig'' 
     number: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals of National 
     Safe Digging Month and encourages homeowners and all 
     excavators throughout the country to call 811 before digging.

                              S. Res. 473

       Whereas the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries and 
     the members of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries 
     provide valuable service and leadership opportunities for 
     women who wish to take an active role in their communities;
       Whereas the mission of the National Association of Junior 
     Auxiliaries is to encourage member chapters to render 
     charitable services that--
       (1) are beneficial to the general public; and
       (2) place a particular emphasis on providing for the needs 
     of children; and

       Whereas, since the founding of the National Association of 
     Junior Auxiliaries in 1941, the organization has provided 
     strength and inspiration to women who want to effect positive 
     change in their communities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 4, 2010, as ``National Association of 
     Junior Auxiliaries Day'';
       (2) recognizes the great contributions made by members of 
     the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries to their 
     communities and to the people of the United States; and
       (3) especially commends the work of the members of the 
     National Association of Junior Auxiliaries to better the 
     lives of children in the United States.

                              S. Res. 474

       Whereas Parkinson's disease is the second most common 
     neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only 
     to Alzheimer's disease;
       Whereas even though there is inadequate comprehensive data 
     on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's disease, as of 
     2010, it is estimated that the disease affects over 1,000,000 
     people in the United States;
       Whereas although research suggests the cause of Parkinson's 
     disease is a combination of genetic and environmental 
     factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is 
     still unknown;
       Whereas there is no objective test for Parkinson's disease 
     and the rate of misdiagnosis can be high;
       Whereas symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to 
     person and include tremor, slowness, difficulty with balance, 
     swallowing, chewing, and speaking, rigidity, cognitive 
     problems, dementia, mood disorders, such as depression and 
     anxiety, constipation, skin problems, and sleep disruptions;
       Whereas medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson's 
     disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with 
     dose-limiting side-effects;
       Whereas ultimately the medications and treatments lose 
     their effectiveness, generally after 4 to 8 years, leaving 
     the person unable to move, speak, or swallow;
       Whereas there is no cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt 
     the progression of Parkinson's disease;
       Whereas increased education and research are needed to help 
     find more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, 
     ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson's 
     disease;
       Whereas the Federal Government, through the National 
     Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense Neurotoxin 
     Exposure Treatment Parkinson's Research Program, the Veterans 
     Affairs Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical 
     Centers, and other agencies, supports vital work to better 
     understand Parkinson's disease and to find new treatments; 
     and
       Whereas the Parkinson's community will gather in Central 
     Park on April 24, 2010, for the Parkinson's Unity Walk, an 
     annual gathering inspiring people with Parkinson's, their 
     friends, and their families: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of April as Parkinson's 
     Awareness Month;
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of Parkinson's Awareness 
     Month;
       (3) continues to support research to find better 
     treatments, and eventually, a cure for Parkinson's disease;
       (4) recognizes the people living with Parkinson's who 
     participate in vital clinical trials to advance our knowledge 
     of this disease; and
       (5) commends the dedication of local and regional 
     organizations, volunteers, and millions of Americans across 
     the country working to improve the quality of life of persons 
     living with Parkinson's disease and their families.

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