[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S3296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 38--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS 
OF THE UNITED BID COMMITTEE TO BRING THE 2026 FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE 
DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA) WORLD CUP COMPETITION TO CANADA, MEXICO, 
                         AND THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. NELSON (for himself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Blunt, and Mr. Van Hollen) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                            S. Con. Res. 38

       Whereas soccer is one of the fastest growing and most 
     popular sports in the world and the FIFA World Cup 
     competition is the single most important event in that sport;
       Whereas the United States successfully hosted in nine 
     cities throughout the Nation the 1994 FIFA World Cup 
     competition, which was broadcast to billions of fans around 
     the world and set an attendance record of nearly 3.6 million, 
     which remains unbroken today;
       Whereas the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition served as a 
     catalyst for the increased popularity and development of the 
     game throughout the United States, as well as the 
     introduction of Major League Soccer, the United States 
     national first division professional soccer league;
       Whereas United States Soccer Federation and its 
     counterparts in Canada and Mexico have established a United 
     Bid Committee to prepare and submit an unprecedented joint 
     bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in North 
     America;
       Whereas Canada, the United States, and Mexico share core 
     beliefs in justice, freedom, equality, and opportunity, and 
     have a long history of partnership, innovation, and growth 
     together on our shared continent;
       Whereas for the first time in history the 2026 FIFA World 
     Cup will include teams from 48 nations and presents an 
     opportunity for Canada, Mexico, and the United States as host 
     countries to demonstrate the highest achievable standards and 
     serve as a benchmark for future organizers;
       Whereas North America is home to one of the most 
     competitive and advanced professional sports landscapes in 
     the world that is continually updating to take advantage of 
     the latest innovations and modernizations;
       Whereas numerous American cities have been named by the 
     United Bid Committee as candidates to serve as hosts to FIFA 
     World Cup matches in 2026, with each of these cities 
     embodying the diversity and enthusiasm shared by the entire 
     Nation and guaranteeing each participating team and its 
     followers a ``home team'' atmosphere;
       Whereas the United States and its neighbors offer FIFA a 
     valuable and receptive market within which to further develop 
     the sport of soccer, which in turn will have significant 
     impact on and off the field in both the United States and 
     throughout the world;
       Whereas the United States possesses all necessary state-of-
     the-art infrastructure in its stadiums and potential host 
     cities to ensure that the competition sets a new standard of 
     quality, comfort, security, and safety for players, 
     officials, spectators, media, and sponsors alike;
       Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, 
     and the United States promises record-setting attendance and 
     financial performance, allowing revenues and tourism 
     generated by the competition to be used for the further 
     development of soccer, FIFA's objectives of positive social 
     and environmental change, and further economic growth 
     throughout our Nation;
       Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in 
     Canada, Mexico, and the United States would serve as a 
     tremendous impetus to national and international goodwill, as 
     the competition would bring people from many nations, along 
     with a diverse public, together under one banner of peace, 
     friendship, and spirited and fair competition;
       Whereas the historical tradition of inclusivity in the 
     United States is shared by Canada and Mexico and the three 
     countries are eager to welcome the players, spectators, and 
     visitors who may travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA 
     World Cup games; and
       Whereas pursuant to FIFA bidding procedures, the President 
     of the United States and certain Federal agencies have been 
     asked to issue guarantees that upon authorization or 
     appropriation, would establish the conditions required to 
     help make the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition the most 
     successful in history: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the United Bid 
     Committee to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition to 
     Canada, Mexico, and the United States;
       (2) encourages the President of the United States and 
     appropriate Federal agencies to support the United Bid 
     Committee in its efforts to meet all requirements for the 
     United States to jointly host with Canada and Mexico the 2026 
     FIFA World Cup competition; and
       (3) stands prepared to give full consideration to 
     legislative proposals or other requests by the President to 
     provide support related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup 
     competition, if Canada, Mexico, and the United States are 
     selected to host this event.

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