[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2752-S2753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed en bloc to the following resolutions which were submitted
earlier today: S. Res. 166, 167, 168, and 169.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolutions en bloc.
S. Res. 168
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased the Senate has once again
passed a resolution commemorating our Nation's law enforcement officers
and National Peace Officers Memorial Day. The Senate's official
recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Day is a tradition I am
proud to support each year.
In 2010, 158 law enforcement officers died while serving in the line
of duty. We honor their memory. Each year, we commemorate the bravery
of the many law enforcement officers and peace officers who deserve our
thanks and support. National Peace Officers Memorial Day is an
opportunity to recommit ourselves to provide them with the tools they
need to stay safe and to do their jobs as effectively as they can.
There are more than 900,000 men and women at work protecting our
communities, our schools, and our children. They investigate and
apprehend the most violent criminals and strive to keep our communities
safe and secure. Since the first recorded police death in 1792, the
names of 18,983 law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate
sacrifice have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial.
National Peace Officers Memorial Day provides the people of the
United States, in their communities, in their State capitals, and in
the Nation's Capital, with the opportunity to honor and reflect on the
extraordinary service and sacrifice year after year by those members of
our police forces. More than 20,000 peace officers are expected to
gather in Washington in the days leading up to May 15 to join with the
families of their fallen comrades. It is right that the Senate show its
respect on this occasion, and I am proud to honor their service and
their memory.
S. Res. 169
Mr. REID. Mr. President, this resolution concerns a request for
testimony and documents in an action before the Merit Systems
Protection Board brought by the Social Security Administration against
an administrative law judge in SSA. Among the matters for which SSA has
brought this action against the administrative law judge is conduct by
that administrative judge during a visit with staff in the office of
Senator Landrieu in April 2009.
Counsel for the administrative law judge against whom the action is
brought has subpoenaed for deposition two employees of Senator
Landrieu's office and also sought by subpoena the production of
documents from Senator Landrieu's office.
Senator Landrieu would like to cooperate and make the employees
available for depositions. Accordingly, this resolution would authorize
Sherae Hunter and Wes Kungel, the subpoenaed employees in Senator
Landrieu's office, to testify at depositions in this matter. The
resolution would also authorize production of relevant documents sought
by subpoena, except where a privilege should be asserted, and would
authorize representation by the Senate Legal Counsel of the two
subpoenaed employees.
Mr. REID. 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, that there be no intervening action or debate, and any
statements related to these matters be printed in the Record.
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. 166
(Commemorating May 8, 2011, as the 66th anniversary of V-E Day, the end
of World War II in Europe)
Whereas on December 11, 1941, 4 days after the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on the
United States;
Whereas on November 8, 1942, United States and Allied
forces began Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa;
Whereas German and other Axis forces in North Africa
surrendered on May 13, 1943;
Whereas in July of 1943, United States and Allied forces
landed in Sicily;
Whereas on September 8, 1943, Italy surrendered to United
States and Allied forces, although German troops in Italy
continued to fight until May of 1945;
Whereas more than 150,000 Allied soldiers landed in France
on June 6, 1944, known thereafter as ``D-Day'';
Whereas on August 25, 1944, United States and Allied forces
liberated Paris;
Whereas from mid- to late- December, during the Battle of
the Bulge, United States troops heroically resisted a major
German offensive in Belgium and France;
Whereas United States troops crossed the Rhine River at
Remagen on March 7, 1945;
Whereas Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Western
Allies at Reims on May 7, 1945, and to the Soviet Union on
May 9, 1945, in Berlin;
Whereas during World War II, an estimated 292,000 members
of the United States Armed Forces were killed in action and
more than 400,000 members of the United States Armed Forces
died; and
Whereas United States President Harry S. Truman declared
May 8, 1945, ``V-E day'', the end of World War II in Europe,
although war with Japan continued until August 14, 1945: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the historic contribution made by United
States veterans of World War II to human liberty and the
safety of the United States and its allies;
(2) honors veterans who served in the European Theatre of
Operations and elsewhere during World War II;
[[Page S2753]]
(3) remembers with gratitude the members of the United
States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice during
World War II; and
(4) commemorates May 8, 2011, as the 66th anniversary of V-
E Day, the end of World War II in Europe.
S. Res. 167
(Recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of
Cinco de Mayo)
Whereas May 5, or ``Cinco de Mayo'' in Spanish, is
celebrated each year as a date of great importance by the
Mexican and Mexican-American communities;
Whereas the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates May 5, 1862,
the date on which the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans
who were struggling for their independence and freedom;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo has become one of the most famous
Mexican national holidays and is celebrated annually by
nearly all Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, north and south of
the United States-Mexico border;
Whereas the Battle of Puebla was but one of the many
battles that the courageous Mexican people won in their long
and brave struggle for independence and freedom;
Whereas the French, confident that their battle-seasoned
troops were far superior to the almost amateurish Mexican
forces, expected little or no opposition from the Mexican
army;
Whereas the French army, which had not experienced defeat
against any of the finest troops of Europe in more than half
a century, sustained a disastrous loss at the hands of an
outnumbered, ill-equipped, and ragged, but highly spirited
and courageous, Mexican force;
Whereas after three bloody assaults on Puebla in which more
than a thousand gallant Frenchmen lost their lives, the
French troops were finally defeated and driven back by the
outnumbered Mexican troops;
Whereas the courageous and heroic spirit that Mexican
General Zaragoza and his men displayed during that historic
battle can never be forgotten;
Whereas many brave Mexicans willingly gave their lives for
the causes of justice and freedom in the Battle of Puebla on
Cinco de Mayo;
Whereas the sacrifice of the Mexican fighters was
instrumental in keeping Mexico from falling under European
domination;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the
foundation of the United States is built by people from many
nations and diverse cultures who are willing to fight and die
for freedom;
Whereas Cinco de Mayo also serves as a reminder of the
close ties between the people of Mexico and the people of the
United States;
Whereas in a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes the
right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito
Juarez once said, ``El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz''
(``The respect of other people's rights is peace''); and
Whereas many people celebrate during the entire week in
which Cinco de Mayo falls: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) recognizes the historical struggle for independence and
freedom of the people of Mexico; and
(2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe
Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
S. Res. 168
(Commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by
the Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who have been
killed or injured in the line of duty)
Whereas the well-being of all citizens of the United States
is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance
and dedication of law enforcement personnel;
Whereas more than 900,000 men and women, at great risk to
their personal safety, presently serve their fellow citizens
as guardians of the peace;
Whereas peace officers are on the front lines in protecting
the schools and schoolchildren of the United States;
Whereas in 2010, 158 peace officers across the United
States were killed in the line of duty;
Whereas Congress should strongly support initiatives to
reduce violent crime and to increase the factors that
contribute to the safety of law enforcement officers;
Whereas there are recorded 18,983 Federal, State, and local
law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of
duty while protecting their fellow citizens, and whose names
are engraved upon the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial in Washington, District of Columbia;
Whereas in 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May
15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day; and
Whereas on May 15, 2011, more than 20,000 peace officers
are expected to gather in Washington, District of Columbia,
to join with the families of their recently fallen comrades
to honor those comrades and all others who went before them:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commemorates and acknowledges the dedication and
sacrifices made by the Federal, State, and local law
enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the
line of duty;
(2) recognizes May 15, 2011, as ``National Peace Officers
Memorial Day''; and
(3) calls on the people of the United States to observe
that day with appropriate ceremony, solemnity, appreciation,
and respect.
S. Res. 169
(To authorize testimony, documents and legal representation)
Whereas, in the case of Social Security Administration v.
Charlotte N. White, No. CB-75211-11-0004-T-1, pending before
the Merit Systems Protection Board, a subpoena for deposition
testimony and document production has been served on Sherae
Hunter and a subpoena for deposition testimony has been
served on Wes Kungel, both employees in the Office of Senator
Mary L. Landrieu;
Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the
Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b(a)
and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to
represent employees of the Senate with respect to any
subpoena, order, or request for testimony relating to their
official responsibilities;
Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United
States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no
evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate
may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from
such control or possession but by permission of the Senate;
Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or
in the possession of the Senate may promote the
administration of justice, the Senate will take such action
as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the
privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Sherae Hunter and Wes Kungel are authorized
to testify and produce documents in Social Security
Administration v. Charlotte N. White, except concerning
matters for which a privilege should be asserted.
Sec. 2. The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent
Sherae Hunter, Wes Kungel, and any other individual in
Senator Landrieu's office in this matter.
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