[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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