[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 55 (Thursday, April 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2552-S2553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING AND SUPPORTING WOMEN IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 33, S. Res. 109.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 109) honoring and supporting women in
North Africa and the Middle East whose bravery, compassion,
and commitment to putting the wellbeing of others before
their own have proven that courage can be contagious.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendments
at the desk be agreed to, the resolution, as amended, be agreed to, the
preamble, as amended, be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be
laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendments (Nos. 301 and 302) were agreed to, as follows:
amendment no. 301
(Purpose: To amend the resolution)
On page 4, beginning on line 12, strike ``, and supports''
and all that follows through ``these rights'' on line 14.
amendment no. 302
(Purpose: To amend the preamble)
In the ninth whereas clause of the preamble, strike ``the
United Nations Security Council and''.
The resolution (S. Res. 109), as amended, was agreed to.
The preamble, as amended, was agreed to.
The resolution, as amended, with its preamble, as amended, reads as
follows:
S. Res. 109
Whereas, in the course of peaceful protests in countries
throughout North Africa and
[[Page S2553]]
the Middle East, women have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with
men to advance their rights;
Whereas Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has said,
``The rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of
the 21st Century.'';
Whereas, in late December 2010 and January 2011, Tunisia
underwent a political upheaval, dubbed the ``Jasmine
Revolution,'' resulting in the fleeing of President of
Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from the country on January
14, 2011;
Whereas one of the first voices of the ``Jasmine
Revolution'' was the sister of Mohammad Bouazizi, the young
man whose death led to many of the peaceful protests in
Tunisia;
Whereas, on January 25, 2011, demonstrations began across
Egypt with thousands of protesters peacefully calling for a
new government, free and fair elections, significant
constitutional and political reforms, greater economic
opportunity, and an end to government corruption;
Whereas women in Egypt have utilized social media to
galvanize support among men and women for peaceful protest;
Whereas huge crowds came out to protest peacefully in
Egypt, and women were among those that faced tear gas and who
pitched their tents and slept in the cold in Tahrir Square;
Whereas hundreds of women took part in a rally in Cairo on
March 8, 2011, the 100th Anniversary of International Women's
Day, to remind women in Egypt that they must have a voice in
their nation's future;
Whereas, on February 25, 2011, the international community
condemned the violence and use of force against civilians in
Libya;
Whereas, according to press reports, women in Libya have
been working behind the scenes making a profound difference
to promote reform and keep the momentum of the uprising
alive, listening to worried fathers whose sons are fighting
on the frontlines, keeping up with the day-to-day clashes and
casualty numbers, and holding meetings about health and
education issues, as well as participating in the
demonstrations themselves;
Whereas, according to press reports, women are among the
leaders of demonstrations calling for reform in Yemen;
Whereas women's groups in countries such as Morocco,
Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran have attempted to harness critical
support regarding legislation affecting their rights;
Whereas women around the world continue to face significant
obstacles in all aspects of their lives, including denial of
basic human rights, discrimination, and gender-based
violence;
Whereas women, young and old, have marched in the streets
of countries from Tunisia to Iran demanding freedom from
oppression; and
Whereas women across North Africa and the Middle East
aspire for freedom, democracy, and rule of law: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) honors the women in North Africa and the Middle East
who have worked to ensure that women are guaranteed equality
and basic human rights;
(2) recognizes that the empowerment of women is
inextricably linked to the potential of nations to generate
economic growth and sustainable democracy;
(3) acknowledges that women in North Africa and the Middle
East are demanding to be included in making choices that will
affect their own lives and their families;
(4) 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;
(5) celebrates this year's centennial anniversary of
International Women's Day, a global day to celebrate the
economic, political, and social achievements of women past,
present, and future, and a day to recognize the obstacles
that women still face in the struggle for equal rights and
opportunities;
(6) condemns any efforts to provoke or instigate violence
against women, and calls upon all parties to refrain from all
violent and criminal acts; and
(7) underscores the vital importance of women's rights and
political participation as leaders in North Africa and the
Middle East consider constitutional reforms and shape new
governments.
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