[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7599-S7600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 731--DESIGNATING DECEMBER 10, 2018, AS ``HUMAN RIGHTS 
DAY'' AND RECOGNIZING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION 
                            OF HUMAN RIGHTS

  Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Young, Mr. 
Markey, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Casey, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Boozman, 
and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 731

       Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted 
     by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, represents the 
     first comprehensive agreement among countries as to the 
     specific rights and freedoms of all human beings;
       Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upholds 
     the basic principles of liberty and freedom enshrined in the 
     Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights;
       Whereas the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of 
     Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and 
     Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental 
     Freedoms (known as the ``Declaration on Human Rights 
     Defenders'') was adopted by the United Nations General 
     Assembly on December 9, 1998;
       Whereas awareness of human rights--
       (1) is essential to the realization of fundamental 
     freedoms;
       (2) promotes equality;
       (3) contributes to preventing conflict and human rights 
     violations; and
       (4) enhances participation in democratic processes;
       Whereas Congress has a proud history of promoting human 
     rights that are internationally recognized; and
       Whereas December 10 of each year is celebrated around the 
     world as ``Human Rights Day'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates December 10, 2018, as ``Human Rights Day'';
       (2) recognizes--
       (A) the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of 
     Human Rights; and
       (B) the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right 
     and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of 
     Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human 
     Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (known as the ``Declaration 
     on Human Rights Defenders'');
       (3) reaffirms the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
       (4) supports the right of human rights defenders all over 
     the world to promote the fundamental freedoms enshrined in 
     the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
       (5) encourages the people of the United States--
       (A) to observe Human Rights Day; and
       (B) to continue a commitment to upholding freedom, 
     democracy, and human rights around the globe.

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