[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING JOHN W. KLUGE

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 138 which was 
submitted earlier today by Senator Stevens.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 138) commending John 
     W. Kluge for his dedication and commitment to the United 
     States on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

  Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object--and I will not object--I ask 
unanimous consent to be added as a cosponsor of the concurrent 
resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. I served for some time as chairman of the Appropriations 
Subcommittee on the Legislative branch. During those years, there was 
an effort made to cut funding for the Library of Congress. I became an 
expert on funding for the Library of Congress. We were able to overcome 
the objections of those who thought the Library of Congress should be 
made different than it now is. But during that period of time, I met 
John Kluge. John Kluge is a man who has made lots of money in the free 
enterprise system of our country. But he has dedicated large amounts of 
his fortune to the Library of Congress.
  I am so glad Senator Stevens submitted a resolution commemorating the 
birthday of this great American. Because of his being such a fine man 
and recognizing the importance of the Library of Congress, the greatest 
library in the history of the world, many people will benefit from his 
efforts.
  I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
this matter be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 138) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 138

       Whereas John W. Kluge has combined a unique history of 
     American entrepreneurship with pioneering contributions to 
     philanthropy, electronic education, and television and radio 
     broadcasting;
       Whereas John W. Kluge is a dedicated patriot who served his 
     country well as an Army intelligence officer during World War 
     II;
       Whereas John W. Kluge's commitment to public service has 
     made him one of the most esteemed and generous benefactors of 
     education, and has brought him the admiration and gratitude 
     of the people of the United States;
       Whereas John W. Kluge's deep belief in human potential and 
     creativity has quietly helped extend educational opportunity 
     through scholarships and other support of important civic 
     causes;
       Whereas John W. Kluge's wise counsel and leadership as the 
     founding chairman of the Library of Congress's first private 
     sector philanthropic organization, the James Madison Council, 
     have inspired many others to join in support of the Library 
     of Congress's programs and initiatives;
       Whereas John W. Kluge has established an endowed program at 
     the Library of Congress to bring leading senior scholars and 
     junior fellows from around the world to the Library to use 
     its great collections and to interact with the members and 
     staff of Congress;
       Whereas John W. Kluge has generously supported the first 
     Nobel-level award for lifetime scholarly achievement in the 
     study of the human sciences;
       Whereas John W. Kluge has generously supported the creation 
     of advanced training for library leaders of the 21st century 
     through a Leadership Development Program at the Library of 
     Congress; and
       Whereas John W. Kluge has inspired the people of the United 
     States by his example of support for programs that educate 
     and equip individuals for responsible and productive 
     citizenship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) commends John W. Kluge for his dedication and 
     commitment to the United States;
       (2) expresses, on the occasion of John W. Kluge's 90th 
     birthday, its sincere appreciation and admiration for his 
     example of philanthropy and public service to the people of 
     the United States; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to John W. Kluge.

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