[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 5--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE 
           INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT

  Mr. CARDIN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                             S. Con. Res. 5

       Whereas, in recognition of the African Diaspora, on 
     December 23, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly 
     adopted Resolution 68/237, designating the decade commencing 
     on January 1, 2015, and ending on December 31, 2024, as the 
     ``International Decade for People of African Descent'', with 
     the theme ``People of African descent: recognition, justice 
     and development'';
       Whereas the African Diaspora is expansive, spanning across 
     the globe from the Americas and the Caribbean to Asia and 
     Europe, with persons of African descent having had a 
     historical presence and currently residing on every 
     continent;
       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 Final Act of the Conference on Security and 
     Cooperation in Europe, done at Helsinki August 1, 1975, 
     states that ``participating States will respect human rights 
     and fundamental freedoms . . . for all without distinction as 
     to race, sex, language or religion'';
       Whereas the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
     Europe, Organization of American States, and other 
     international organizations have undertaken efforts to 
     address the human rights situation of people of African 
     descent;
       Whereas, on December 10, 2014, United States Permanent 
     Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power stated, 
     ``The United States comes to the International Decade for 
     People of African Descent with a full and robust commitment 
     to ensuring the rights of persons of African descent, and to 
     combating racism and discrimination against them.''; and
       Whereas a central goal of the International Decade for 
     People of African Descent is to strengthen national actions 
     and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of 
     people of African descent in relation to the full enjoyment 
     of economic, cultural, social, civil, and political rights 
     for people of African descent; the participation and 
     integration of people of African descent in all political, 
     economic, social, and cultural aspects of society; and the 
     promotion of greater knowledge of, and respect for, the 
     diverse heritage and culture of people of African descent; 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of the ``International 
     Decade 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) recognizes bilateral and multilateral efforts to 
     promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, 
     including those efforts that target the eradication of 
     poverty, hunger, and inequality; and
       (5) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to address racism, 
     discrimination, and intolerance in the United States and 
     around the globe.

                          ____________________