[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 26 (Thursday, February 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S924-S926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following 
resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 72, S. Res. 
73, S. Res. 74, S. Res. 75, and S. Res. 76.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions en bloc.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no interviewing action 
or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                               S. Res. 72

(Recognizing the artistic and cultural contributions of the Alvin Ailey 
     American Dance Theater and the 50th Anniversary of the first 
       performance of Alvin Ailey's masterwork, ``Revelations'')

       Whereas Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is recognized as 
     one of the world's great dance companies;
       Whereas Congress has recognized the Alvin Ailey American 
     Dance Theater as one of our Nation's most important cultural 
     ambassadors;
       Whereas at the age of 29, founder Alvin Ailey first 
     premiered the dance work, Revelations, on January 31, 1960, 
     at the famed 92nd Street Y in New York City;
       Whereas Revelations is set to spirituals and draws 
     inspiration from Ailey's memories as a child growing up in 
     Texas, and from the work of African-American writers such as 
     James Baldwin and Langston Hughes;
       Whereas since its premiere, Revelations has been seen by 
     more than 23 million theatergoers, in 71 countries, and on 6 
     continents, making it the most widely seen works of modern 
     dance;
       Whereas Revelations was performed in front of a worldwide 
     audience as part of the opening ceremonies of the 1968 
     Olympic Games in Mexico City;
       Whereas Revelations has been performed for 5 U.S. 
     Presidents, including at the inaugurals of President Carter 
     in 1977 and President Clinton in 1993;
       Whereas Revelations captures the faith and perseverance of 
     the African-American people, and has influenced, and was 
     influenced by, African-American cultural heritage and the 
     social fabric of the United States; and
       Whereas Revelations is beloved by people around the world, 
     and its universal themes illustrate the strength and humanity 
     within all of us: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate honors the Alvin Ailey American 
     Dance Theater as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 
     dance work Revelations.

[[Page S925]]

                               S. Res. 73

Supporting democracy, universal rights, and the Iranian people in their 
   keep peaceful call for a representative and responsive democratic 
                               government

       Whereas, on February 5, 2011, Mir Hossein Moussavi and 
     Mehdi Karroubi requested permission from the Government of 
     Iran to hold a peaceful demonstration on February 14, 2011;
       Whereas Moussavi and Karroubi wrote, ``In order to declare 
     support for the popular movements in the region, particularly 
     with those of the freedom seeking movements of the people of 
     Egypt and Tunisia against dictatorships, we request a permit 
     to invite the people for a rally.'';
       Whereas the Government of Iran denied this request and, on 
     February 9, 2011, Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein 
     Hamedani said, ``We definitely see them as enemies of the 
     revolution and spies, and we will confront them with 
     force.'';
       Whereas, before the planned protest on February 14, 2011, 
     the Government of Iran placed Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein 
     Moussavi under house arrest and interrupted Internet, text 
     message, satellite, and cell phone service inside Iran;
       Whereas, on February 14, 2011, the people of Iran held 
     demonstrations protesting the Iranian regime in Tehran, 
     Rasht, Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Kermanshah, and Ahwaz;
       Whereas, on February 15, 2011, members of the parliament of 
     Iran called for the execution of opposition leaders Mir 
     Hossein Moussavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Mohammad Khatami;
       Whereas, on the same day, speaker of the Parliament in Iran 
     Ali Larijani said, ``The parliament condemns the Zionist, 
     American, anti-revolutionary and anti-national actions of the 
     misled seditionists.'';
       Whereas, on February 14, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary 
     Clinton said, ``What you see happening in Iran today is a 
     testament to the courage of the Iranian people and an 
     indictment of the hypocrisy of the Iranian regime, a regime 
     which over the last three weeks has constantly hailed what 
     went on in Egypt. And now when given the opportunity to 
     afford their people the same rights as they called for on 
     behalf of the Egyptian people, once again, illustrate their 
     true nature.'';
       Whereas, on February 15, 2011, President Barack Obama 
     saluted the ``courage'' of the Iranian people and said, ``We 
     are going to continue to see the people of Iran have the 
     courage to be able to express their yearning for greater 
     freedoms and a more representative government.'';
       Whereas, on February 15, 2011, European Union High 
     Representative Catherine Ashton called ``on the Iranian 
     authorities to fully respect and protect the rights of their 
     citizens, including freedom of expression and the right to 
     assemble peacefully'';
       Whereas, on February 3, 2011, the Senate passed Senate 
     Resolution 44, 112th Congress, reaffirming the commitment of 
     the United States to the universal rights of freedom of 
     assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of access to 
     information, including the Internet, and expressed strong 
     support for the people of Egypt in their peaceful calls for a 
     representative and responsive democratic government that 
     respects these rights; and
       Whereas the people of Iran also deserve support from the 
     United States in their peaceful struggle for a representative 
     and responsive democratic government that respects their 
     universal rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, 
     and freedom of association, including via the Internet: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by 
     the Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well 
     as the ongoing government suppression of independent 
     electronic communication through interference with the 
     Internet and cellphones;
       (2) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
     universal rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, 
     and freedom of association, including via the Internet;
       (3) expresses strong support for the people of Iran in 
     their peaceful calls for a representative and responsive 
     democratic government that respects these rights;
       (4) calls on the Government of Iran to release all Iranians 
     detained or imprisoned solely on the basis of their religion, 
     faith, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, or 
     political belief;
       (5) calls on the United Nations Human Rights Council to 
     establish an independent human rights monitor for Iran; and
       (6) affirms the universality of individual rights and the 
     importance of democratic and fair elections.

                               S. Res. 74

         Designates February 28, 2011, as ``Rare Disease Day''

       Whereas rare diseases and disorders are those which affect 
     small patient populations, typically populations smaller than 
     200,000 individuals in the United States;
       Whereas as of the date of approval of this resolution, 
     nearly 7,000 rare diseases affect 30,000,000 Americans and 
     their families;
       Whereas children with rare genetic diseases account for 
     more than half of the population affected by rare diseases in 
     the United States;
       Whereas many rare diseases are serious, life-threatening, 
     and lack an effective treatment;
       Whereas rare diseases and conditions include epidermolysis 
     bullosa, progeria, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs, cystic 
     fibrosis, many childhood cancers, and fibrodysplasia 
     ossificans progressiva;
       Whereas people with rare diseases experience challenges 
     that include difficulty in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, 
     limited treatment options, and difficulty finding physicians 
     or treatment centers with expertise in their disease;
       Whereas great strides have been made in research and 
     treatment for rare diseases as a result of the Orphan Drug 
     Act (Public Law 97-414; 96 Stat. 2049) and amendments made by 
     that Act;
       Whereas both the Food and Drug Administration and the 
     National Institutes of Health have established special 
     offices to advocate for rare disease research and treatments;
       Whereas the National Organization for Rare Disorders, an 
     organization established in 1983 to provide services to, and 
     advocate on behalf of, patients with rare diseases, was a 
     primary force behind the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act and 
     remains a critical public voice for people with rare 
     diseases;
       Whereas the National Organization for Rare Disorders 
     sponsors Rare Disease Day in the United States to increase 
     public awareness of rare diseases;
       Whereas Rare Disease Day has become a global event 
     occurring annually on the last day of February;
       Whereas Rare Disease Day was observed in the United States 
     for the first time on February 28, 2009; and
       Whereas Rare Disease Day is anticipated to be observed 
     globally in years to come, providing hope and information for 
     rare disease patients around the world; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates February 28, 2011, as ``Rare Disease Day'';
       (2) recognizes the importance of improving awareness and 
     encouraging accurate and early diagnosis of rare diseases and 
     disorders; and
       (3) supports a national and global commitment to improving 
     access to, and developing new treatments, diagnostics, and 
     cures for, rare diseases and disorders.

                               S. Res. 75

  Designating March 25, 2011, as ``National Cerebral Palsy Awareness 
                                 Day''

       Whereas the term ``cerebral palsy'' refers to any number of 
     neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early 
     childhood and permanently affect body movement and the muscle 
     coordination necessary to maintain balance and posture;
       Whereas cerebral palsy is caused by damage to 1 or more 
     specific areas of the brain, which usually occurs during 
     fetal development, before, during, or shortly after birth, or 
     during infancy;
       Whereas the majority of children who have cerebral palsy 
     are born with the disorder, although cerebral palsy may 
     remain undetected for months or years;
       Whereas 75 percent of people with cerebral palsy also have 
     1 or more developmental disabilities, including epilepsy, 
     intellectual disability, autism, visual impairment, and 
     blindness;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 
     released information indicating that cerebral palsy is 
     increasingly prevalent and that about 1 in 278 children have 
     cerebral palsy;
       Whereas approximately 800,000 people in the United States 
     are affected by cerebral palsy;
       Whereas, although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, 
     treatment often improves the capabilities of a child with 
     cerebral palsy;
       Whereas scientists and researchers are hopeful that 
     breakthroughs in cerebral palsy research will be forthcoming;
       Whereas researchers across the United States are conducting 
     important research projects involving cerebral palsy; and
       Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise 
     awareness in the general public and the medical community of 
     cerebral palsy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 25, 2011, as ``National Cerebral Palsy 
     Awareness Day'';
       (2) encourages all people in the United States to become 
     more informed and aware of cerebral palsy; and
       (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to Reaching for the Stars: 
     A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

                               S. Res. 76

 Recognizing the soldiers of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment of the 
United States Army Reserve who were killed or wounded during Operation 
                Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm

       Whereas 13 soldiers of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment of 
     the United States Army Reserve, stationed in Greensburg, 
     Pennsylvania, were killed, and 43 wounded, in Dhahran, Saudi 
     Arabia, while supporting operations to liberate the people of 
     Kuwait and defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
       Whereas Specialist Steven E. Atherton, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Nurmine, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 
     25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during Operation 
     Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist John A. Boliver, Jr., 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Monongahela, Pennsylvania, was killed on 
     February 25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during 
     Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Sergeant Joseph P. Bongiorni III, 14th 
     Quartermaster Detachment, of Hickory,

[[Page S926]]

     Pennsylvania, was killed on February 25, 1991, while loyally 
     serving his country during Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Sergeant John T. Boxler, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was killed on 
     February 25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during 
     Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Beverly S. Clark, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Armagh, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 
     25, 1991, while loyally serving her country during Operation 
     Desert Storm;
       Whereas Sergeant Allen B. Craver, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, was killed on 
     February 25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during 
     Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Frank S. Keough, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of North Huntington, Pennsylvania, was killed on 
     February 25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during 
     Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Anthony E. Madison, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Monessen, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 
     25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during Operation 
     Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Christine L. Mayes, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Rochester Mills, Pennsylvania, was killed on 
     February 25, 1991, while loyally serving her country during 
     Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Steven J. Siko, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 
     25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during Operation 
     Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Thomas G. Stone, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Falconer, New York, was killed on February 25, 
     1991, while loyally serving his country during Operation 
     Desert Storm;
       Whereas Sergeant Frank J. Walls, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Hawthorne, Pennsylvania, was killed on 
     February 25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during 
     Operation Desert Storm;
       Whereas Specialist Richard V. Wolverton, 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was killed on February 
     25, 1991, while loyally serving his country during Operation 
     Desert Storm; and
       Whereas this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the 
     meritorious service of these Pennsylvanians, and others in 
     Pennsylvania-based units, which contributed to the liberation 
     of the people of Kuwait and the defense of the Kingdom of 
     Saudi Arabia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the service and sacrifice of Pennsylvanians 
     during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm;
       (2) honors the 13 soldiers of the 14th Quartermaster 
     Detachment of the United States Army Reserve who were killed 
     in action on February 25, 1991, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia;
       (3) pledges its gratitude and support to the families of 
     these soldiers; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States to 
     commemorate and honor the role and contribution of 
     Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania-based units of the Army 
     National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Naval 
     Reserve, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve who 
     supported Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

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