[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE 
DESIGNATION OF THE YEAR OF 2011 AS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR PEOPLE OF 
                            AFRICAN DESCENT

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

                             S. Con Res. 9

       Whereas United Nations Resolution 64/169, adopted by the 
     General Assembly on December 18, 2009, designates the year 
     2011 as the ``International Year for People of African 
     Descent'';
       Whereas the African Diaspora is expansive, spanning across 
     the globe from Latin America and the Caribbean to Asia, with 
     persons of African descent living on every continent, 
     including Europe;
       Whereas the historical bonds and shared experiences that 
     tie the African continent with the world must be recalled;
       Whereas the global contributions of people of African 
     descent must be recognized as a means of preserving that 
     heritage;
       Whereas the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted 
     Resolution 64/169 with a view to strengthening national 
     actions and regional and international cooperation for the 
     benefit of people of African descent in relation to--
       (1) the full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, 
     civil, and political rights for people of African descent;
       (2) the participation and integration of people of African 
     descent in all political, economic, social, and cultural 
     aspects of society; and
       (3) the promotion of greater knowledge of, and respect for, 
     the diverse heritage and culture of people of African 
     descent; and
       Whereas the Helsinki Final Act resulting from the 
     Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975 
     states that ``participating States will respect human rights 
     and fundamental freedoms (. . .) for all without distinction 
     as to race, sex, language, or religion;'': Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of the designation of the 
     year of 2011 as the International Year for People of African 
     Descent;
       (2) encourages the recognition and celebration of the 
     collective history and achievements made by people of African 
     descent;
       (3) reaffirms the importance of inclusion and the full and 
     equal participation of people of African descent around the 
     world in all aspects of political, economic, social, and 
     cultural life;
       (4) continues to support bilateral and multilateral efforts 
     to promote democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the 
     eradication of poverty, hunger, inequality, and social 
     exclusion; and
       (5) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to address racism, 
     discrimination, and intolerance in the United States and 
     around the globe.

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today at the close of Black History 
Month to introduce this concurrent resolution that supports the 
continued recognition of persons of African descent throughout the year 
both here and abroad. This resolution commemorates the United Nations 
designation of 2011 as the International Year for People of African 
Descent such that we can continue to honor and recognize the 
contributions of African-Americans and others to our societies beyond 
Black History Month.
  On December 10, 2010, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched the 
International Year for People of African Descent to ``promote greater 
awareness of and respect for the diverse heritage and culture of people 
of African descent.''
  We should view this year not only as an opportunity to celebrate the 
diversity of our societies, but also to honor the vast contributions 
persons of African descent make every day to the economic, social and 
political fabric of our communities--be they in Africa, Latin America, 
Europe, or right here at home in the United States.
  It is also necessary that we recognize the global impact of the slave 
trade. As Secretary Hillary Clinton noted in her recognition of this 
year, ``[this is a time] to remember our hemisphere's shameful history 
of slavery and to reaffirm our commitment to eradicate racism and 
reduce inequality wherever it lingers.''
  All too often, persons of African descent in this country and abroad 
face discrimination and disadvantage. We must not only do more at home, 
but also partner with others around the globe to address these 
problems.
  In the Senate, I have led efforts to strengthen the civil rights of 
African-Americans and others from hate crimes prevention to voting 
rights. As Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I have worked to 
support the ideals enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act to 
``respect human rights and fundamental freedoms . . . for all without 
distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.''
  This has included supporting efforts to raise awareness of the 
specific situation of the estimated seven to nine million persons of 
African descent in Europe following increased incidents of hate crimes, 
racial profiling, and other forms of discrimination amidst economic 
crisis, national security, and immigration concerns.
  As we mark the International Year for People of African Descent, I 
ask that you join me in my work promoting equality, opportunity, 
understanding, and respect at home and around the world.

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