[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 1251-1255]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE RESOLUTION 27--COMMENDING THE RESULTS OF THE JANUARY 9, 2005, 
                   PALESTINIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

  Mr. FRIST (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Biden, Mr. Levin,, 
Mr. Sununu, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Feingold) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 27

       Whereas on January 9, 2005, for the first time in 9 years, 
     large numbers of Palestinians living in the West Bank, the 
     Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem voted in elections that were widely 
     described by outside monitors as free and fair;
       Whereas the Palestinian people elected former Prime 
     Minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, to the 
     office of President of the Palestinian Authority;
       Whereas an estimated 65 percent of eligible Palestinians 
     living in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Jerusalem 
     participated in voting at over 1000 polling stations, and for 
     the first time in nearly 30 years, the Palestinian people 
     elected new leadership;
       Whereas on January 9, 2005, President of the United States 
     George W. Bush stated that it was a ``historic day for the 
     Palestinian people and for the people of the Middle East'' 
     and that ``Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza 
     took a key step toward building a democratic future by 
     choosing a new president in elections that observers 
     described as largely free and fair'';
       Whereas Israel provided important cooperation with the 
     Palestinian Authority to enable the holding of this election, 
     including minimizing delays at checkpoints and redeploying 
     Israeli security forces away from Palestinian population 
     centers;
       Whereas the Palestinian election was an important step 
     towards democracy for the Palestinian people and an example 
     to all those in the region who are striving to achieve 
     democracy in their own nation;
       Whereas during his inaugural speech, President Abbas stated 
     that ``The winner in these elections is the great Palestinian 
     people who have created this democratic epic and who will 
     safeguard it'', that ``The people have voted for the rule of 
     law, order, pluralism, the peaceful transfer of authority, 
     and equality for all'', and further ``Let us start 
     implementing the Roadmap'';
       Whereas these comments build upon Mr. Abbas' 1993 
     statements on the White House lawn, where he said that a 
     Palestinian state and an Israeli state could live in 
     ``peaceful coexistence and cooperation'';
       Whereas the election of Mahmoud Abbas was hailed around the 
     world as a positive step opening new opportunities to move 
     toward peace between the Palestinian Authority and Israel;
       Whereas the Palestinian election provided President Abbas 
     with a mandate from the majority of Palestinians to reject 
     violence and pursue peace with Israel;
       Whereas the extent of cooperation between the Israelis and 
     Palestinians during the period leading up to and including 
     election day was unprecedented in the past four years and 
     reflects the potential for future cooperation;
       Whereas the election must be followed quickly by concrete 
     steps on the part of the new Palestinian President to meet 
     his commitment to reform the Palestinian security services, 
     establish the rule of law, and do all in his power to combat 
     terrorism;
       Whereas a democratic Palestinian Authority will serve as 
     one of the most important building blocks for a viable, free, 
     and stable Palestinian state;
       Whereas President Abbas' success likely will depend upon 
     his ability to tangibly and quickly improve the quality of 
     life for Palestinians, and end corruption and violence;
       Whereas the United States Government stands ready to work 
     with the new Palestinian President to facilitate a renewed 
     dialogue between the new Palestinian leadership and the 
     Government of Israel with the goal of achieving through the 
     Performance Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution 
     to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (the ``Roadmap''), 
     President George W. Bush's vision of two states, Israel and 
     Palestine, living side by side in peace;
       Whereas the Roadmap, endorsed by the United States, Israel, 
     the Palestinian Authority, the European Union, Russia, and 
     the United Nations, remains the only realistic and widely 
     recognized plan for making progress toward peace;
       Whereas the policy of the United States is to work toward a 
     just and peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli 
     conflict based on two democratic states, Israel and 
     Palestine, living side by side in peace and security;
       Whereas all parties to the Roadmap have an obligation to 
     urgently provide support for the Palestinian Authority in its 
     efforts to confront and fight terror as well as to assist in 
     the creation of true democratic institutions that will 
     enforce the rule of law; and
       Whereas people of all peaceful nations believe peace 
     between the Palestinian Authority and the state of Israel 
     will have far reaching positive effects on the entire region 
     and throughout the world; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes that, on January 9, 2005, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, 
     also known as Abu Mazen, was elected by the Palestinian 
     people to the office of President of the Palestinian 
     Authority in what were widely described as free and fair 
     elections;
       (2) recognizes this milestone in the development of 
     Palestinian democracy and congratulates President Abbas on 
     his election to the presidency of the Palestinian Authority;
       (3) commends the efforts of the Israeli Government to 
     facilitate the election;
       (4) expresses its respect for the freely expressed will of 
     the Palestinian people, and its intention to work with 
     President Abbas to help the Palestinian people realize the 
     opportunity for a more peaceful, prosperous future;
       (5) urges President Abbas and the new Palestinian 
     leadership to abide by its commitments to reform the security 
     services, establish the rule of law, and press on with the 
     development of democratic institutions, including an 
     independent judiciary and an empowered and democratically 
     elected legislature;
       (6) urges President Abbas to move quickly to honor his 
     pledges to halt violence and incitement against Israel, 
     dismantle terrorist organizations, and fulfill the 
     Palestinian Authority's obligations according to the terms of 
     the Roadmap;
       (7) supports efforts to increase United States assistance 
     to the Palestinian people and to help President Abbas rebuild 
     and reform the Palestinian Authority's institutions, as 
     President Abbas takes actions consistent with the Roadmap, so 
     that they may better serve the Palestinian people;
       (8) urges all members of the international community, 
     particularly all parties to the Roadmap, to take advantage of 
     this historic opportunity by providing timely assistance to 
     the new Palestinian Government as it moves forward to 
     implement the Roadmap, to help it build the necessary 
     political, economic, and security infrastructure essential to 
     establishing a viable, democratic state and improving the 
     lives of the Palestinian people;
       (9) calls upon Arab states in particular to provide 
     political and financial support to the Palestinian Authority, 
     to support a complete end to terrorism against Israel, to end 
     incitement against it, and to reach out to the State of 
     Israel in friendship and full recognition;
       (10) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
     security of Israel as a democratic, Jewish state, and 
     supports the commitment of Israel to fulfill its obligations 
     under the Roadmap; and
       (11) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the 
     Roadmap including realization of the vision of two democratic 
     states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace 
     and security, and looks forward to working closely with the 
     Executive Branch to achieve this vision.
                                 ______
                                 

   SENATE RESOLUTION 28--DESIGNATING THE YEAR 2005 AS THE ``YEAR OF 
                        FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY''

  Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
Bingaman, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 28

       Whereas according to the 2000 decennial census of the 
     population, 9.3 percent of Americans speak both their native 
     language and another language fluently;
       Whereas according to the European Commission Directorate 
     General for Education and Culture, 52.7 percent of Europeans 
     speak both their native language and another language 
     fluently;

[[Page 1252]]

       Whereas the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     names foreign language study as part of a core curriculum 
     that includes English, mathematics, science, civics, 
     economics, arts, history, and geography;
       Whereas according to the Joint Center for International 
     Language, foreign language study increases a student's 
     cognitive and critical thinking abilities;
       Whereas according to the American Council on the Teaching 
     of Foreign Languages, foreign language study increases a 
     student's ability to compare and contrast cultural concepts;
       Whereas according to a 1992 report by the College Entrance 
     Examination Board, students with 4 or more years in foreign 
     language study scored higher on the verbal section of the 
     Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) than students who did not;
       Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 labels foreign 
     language study as vital to secure the future economic welfare 
     of the United States in a growing international economy;
       Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 recommends 
     encouraging businesses and foreign language study programs to 
     work in a mutually productive relationship which benefits the 
     Nation's future economic interest;
       Whereas according to the Centers for International Business 
     Education and Research program, foreign language study 
     provides the ability both to gain a comprehensive 
     understanding of and to interact with the cultures of United 
     States trading partners, and thus establishes a solid 
     foundation for successful economic relationships;
       Whereas Report 107-592 of the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives concludes that 
     American multinational corporations and nongovernmental 
     organizations do not have the people with the foreign 
     language abilities and cultural exposure that are needed;
       Whereas the 2001 Hart-Rudman Report on National Security in 
     the 21st Century names foreign language study and requisite 
     knowledge in languages as vital for the Federal Government to 
     meet 21st century security challenges properly and 
     effectively;
       Whereas the American intelligence community stresses that 
     individuals with proper foreign language expertise are 
     greatly needed to work on important national security and 
     foreign policy issues, especially in light of the terrorist 
     attacks on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas a 1998 study conducted by the National Foreign 
     Language Center concludes that inadequate resources existed 
     for the development, publication, distribution, and teaching 
     of critical foreign languages (such as Arabic, Vietnamese, 
     and Thai) because of low student enrollment in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas a shortfall of experts in foreign languages has 
     seriously hampered information gathering and analysis within 
     the American intelligence community as demonstrated by the 
     2000 Cox Commission noting shortfalls in Chinese proficiency, 
     and the National Intelligence Council citing deficiencies in 
     Central Eurasian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern languages: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) it is the sense of the Senate that foreign language 
     study makes important contributions to a student's cognitive 
     development, our national economy, and our national security;
       (2) the Senate--
       (A) designates the year 2005 as the ``Year of Foreign 
     Language Study'', during which foreign language study is 
     promoted and expanded in elementary schools, secondary 
     schools, institutions of higher learning, businesses, and 
     government programs; and
       (B) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to--
       (i) encourage and support initiatives to promote and expand 
     the study of foreign languages; and
       (ii) observe the ``Year of Foreign Language Study'' with 
     appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 29--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                             ARMED SERVICES

  Mr. WARNER submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on 
Armed Services; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration:

                               S. Res. 29

       Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and 
     functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in 
     accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of such 
     rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, 
     and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 
     of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Armed Services is authorized from March 1, 2005, 
     through September 30, 2005; October 1, 2005, through 
     September 30, 2006; and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 
     2007, in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the 
     contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and 
     (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or 
     agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, to use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.
       Sec. 2. (a) The expenses of the committee for the period 
     March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, under this 
     resolution shall not exceed $3,859,485, within which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $80,000 may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); 
     and
       (2) not to exceed $30,000 may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of such committee (under the 
     procedures specified in section 202(j) of that Act).
       (b) For the period October 1, 2005, through September 30, 
     2006, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $6,778,457, within which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $75,000 may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); 
     and
       (2) not to exceed $30,000 may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of such committee (under the 
     procedures specified in section 202(j) of that Act).
       (c) For the period October 1, 2006, through February 28, 
     2007, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $2,886,176, within which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); 
     and
       (2) not to exceed $30,000 may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of such committee (under the 
     procedures specified in section 202(j) of that Act).
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 30--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                 COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

  Mr. STEVENS submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation; which was referred to the 
Committee on Rules and Administration:

                                 S. 30

       Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and 
     functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in 
     accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of such 
     rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, 
     and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 
     of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is 
     authorized from March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, 
     October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006, and October 1, 
     2006, through February 28, 2007, in its discretion (1) to 
     make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate, (2) 
     to employ personnel, and (3) with the prior consent of the 
     Government department or agency concerned and the Committee 
     on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non-
     reimbursable basis the services of personnel of any such 
     department or agency.
       Sec. 2. (a) The expenses of the Committee for the period 
     from March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, under this 
     resolution shall not exceed $3,463,046, of which amount (1) 
     not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of 
     the services of individual consultants, or organizations 
     thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of the Committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (b) For the period October 1, 2005, through September 30, 
     2006, expenses of the Committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $6,080,372, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services 
     of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as 
     authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of the Committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (c) For the period October 1, 2006, through February 28, 
     2007, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $2,588,267, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services 
     of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as 
     authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       Sec. 3. The Committee shall report its findings, together 
     with such recommendations for legislation as it deems 
     advisable, to

[[Page 1253]]

     the Senate at the earliest practicable date, but not later 
     than February 28, 2006, and February 28, 2007, respectively.
       Sec. 4. Expenses of the Committee under this resolution 
     shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon 
     vouchers approved by the chairman of the Committee, except 
     that vouchers shall not be required (1) for the disbursement 
     of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, (2) for the 
     payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of the 
     Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, (3) 
     for the payment of stationery supplies purchased through the 
     Keeper of the Stationery, United States Senate, (4) for 
     payments to the Postmaster, United States Senate, (5) for the 
     payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided by 
     the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United 
     States Senate, (6) for the payment of Senate Recording and 
     Photographic Services, or (7) for the payment of franked and 
     mass mail costs by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and 
     Doorkeeper, United States Senate.
       Sec. 5. There are authorized such sums as may be necessary 
     for agency contributions related to the compensation of 
     employees of the Committee from March 1, 2005, through 
     September 30, 2005, October 1, 2005, through September 30, 
     2006, and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 2007, to be 
     paid from the Appropriations account for ``Expenses of 
     Inquiries and Investigations''.
                                 ______
                                 

SENATE RESOLUTION 31--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE WEEK 
OF AUGUST 7, 2005, BE DESIGNATED AS ``NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK'' IN 
  ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY, 
  MIGRANT, PUBLIC HOUSING, AND HOMELESS HEALTH CENTERS, AND FOR OTHER 
                                PURPOSES

  Mr. COLEMAN (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 31

       Whereas community, migrant, public housing, and homeless 
     health centers (``health centers'') are nonprofit, community 
     owned and operated health providers and are vital to the 
     Nation's communities;
       Whereas there are more than 1,000 such health centers 
     serving more than 15,000,000 people in over 3,600 
     communities;
       Whereas health centers are found in urban and rural 
     communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, 
     Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands;
       Whereas health centers have provided cost-effective, high-
     quality health care to the Nation's poor and medically 
     underserved (including the working poor, the uninsured, and 
     many high-risk and vulnerable populations), acting as a vital 
     safety net in the Nation's health delivery system;
       Whereas health centers provide care to 1 of every 7 
     uninsured individuals, 1 of every 9 Medicaid beneficiaries, 1 
     of every 7 people of color, and 1 of every 9 rural Americans, 
     all of whom would otherwise lack access to health care;
       Whereas health centers are engaged with other innovative 
     programs in primary and preventive care to reach out to over 
     621,000 homeless persons and more than 709,000 farm workers;
       Whereas health centers make health care responsive and 
     cost-effective by integrating the delivery of primary care 
     with aggressive outreach, patient education, transportation, 
     translation, and enabling support services;
       Whereas health centers increase the use of preventive 
     health services such as immunizations, Pap smears, 
     mammograms, and glaucoma screenings;
       Whereas in communities served by health centers, infant 
     mortality rates have been reduced over the past 4 years even 
     as infant mortality rates across the country have risen;
       Whereas health centers are built by community initiative, 
     and run by the patients they serve;
       Whereas Federal grants provide seed money empowering health 
     centers to find partners and resources to recruit doctors and 
     needed health professionals;
       Whereas Federal grants on average contribute 25 percent of 
     a health center's budget, with the remainder provided by 
     State and local governments, Medicare, Medicaid, private 
     contributions, private insurance, and patient fees;
       Whereas there are more than 100 health centers that receive 
     no Federal grant funding, yet continue to serve their 
     communities regardless of their patients' ability to pay;
       Whereas all health centers tailor their services to fit the 
     special needs and priorities of their communities, working 
     together with schools, businesses, churches, community 
     organizations, foundations, and State and local governments;
       Whereas all health centers contribute to the health and 
     well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy 
     and in school and helping adults remain productive and on the 
     job;
       Whereas all health centers encourage citizen participation 
     and provide jobs for nearly 100,000 community residents; and
       Whereas the designation of the week of August 7, 2005, as 
     ``National Health Center Week'' would raise awareness of the 
     health services provided by all health centers: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of August 7, 2005, as ``National 
     Health Center Week''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, this resolution would designate August 7, 
2005 as ``National Health Center Week'' in order to raise awareness of 
health services provided by community, migrant, public housing, and 
homeless centers.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring this important 
resolution and I look forward to its passage in the Senate.
                                 ______
                                 

  SENATE RESOLUTION 32--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                           FOREIGN RELATIONS

  Mr. LUGAR submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on 
Foreign Relations; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration:

                               S. Res. 32

       Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and 
     functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in 
     accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of such 
     rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, 
     and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 
     of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations, is authorized from March 1, 
     2005, through September 30, 2005; October 1, 2005, through 
     September 30, 2006; and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 
     2007, in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the 
     contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and 
     (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or 
     agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.
       Sec. 2(a). The expenses of the committee for the period 
     March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, under this 
     resolution shall not exceed $3,290,588, of which amount (1) 
     not to exceed $100,000 may be expended for the procurement of 
     the services of individual consultants, or organizations 
     thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $5,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (b) For the period October 1, 2005, through September 30, 
     2006, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $5,769,387, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $100,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services 
     of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as 
     authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $5,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (c) For the period October 1, 2006, through February 28, 
     2007, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $2,452,849, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $100,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services 
     of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as 
     authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $5,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       Sec. 3. The Committee shall report its findings, together 
     with such recommendations for legislation as it deems 
     advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable date, 
     but not later than February 28, 2007.
       Sec. 4. Expenses of the committee under this resolution 
     shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon 
     vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee, except 
     that vouchers shall not be required (1) for the disbursement 
     of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, or (2) for 
     the payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of 
     the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or 
     (3) for the payment of stationery supplies purchased through 
     the Keeper of the Stationery, United States Senate, or (4) 
     for payments to the Postmaster, United States Senate, or (5) 
     for the payment of metered charges on copying equipment 
     provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and 
     Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or (6) for the payment of 
     Senate Recording and Photographic Services, or

[[Page 1254]]

     (7) for payment of franked and mass mail costs by the 
     Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate.
       Sec. 5. There are authorized such sums as may be necessary 
     for agency contributions related to the compensation of 
     employees of the committee from March 1, 2005, through 
     September 30, 2005; October 1, 2005, through September 30, 
     2006; and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 2007, to be 
     paid from the Appropriations account for ``Expenses of 
     Inquiries and Investigations.''
                                 ______
                                 

   SENATE RESOLUTION 33--URGING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO END THE 
                          COMMERCIAL SEAL HUNT

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Reed, Mr. 
Lautenberg, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Wyden, Ms. 
Cantwell, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Murray, 
and Mr. Dorgan) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res. 33

       Whereas on November 15, 2004, the Government of Canada 
     opened a commercial hunt for seals in the waters off the east 
     coast of Canada;
       Whereas an international outcry regarding the plight of the 
     seals hunted in Canada resulted in the 1983 ban by the 
     European Union of whitecoat and blueback seal skins and the 
     subsequent collapse of the commercial seal hunt in Canada;
       Whereas the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 
     1361 et seq.) bars the import into the United States of any 
     seal products;
       Whereas in February 2003, the Ministry of Fisheries and 
     Oceans in Canada authorized the highest quota for harp seals 
     in Canadian history, allowing nearly 1,000,000 seals to be 
     killed over a 3-year period;
       Whereas harp seal pups can be legally hunted in Canada as 
     soon as they have begun to molt their white coats at 
     approximately 12 days of age;
       Whereas 95 percent of the seals culled over the past 5 
     years were pups between just 12 days and 12 weeks of age, 
     many of which had not yet eaten their first solid meal or 
     learned to swim;
       Whereas a report by an independent team of veterinarians 
     invited to observe the hunt by the International Fund for 
     Animal Welfare concluded that the seal hunt failed to comply 
     with basic animal welfare regulations in Canada and that 
     governmental regulations regarding humane killing were not 
     being respected or enforced;
       Whereas the veterinary report concluded that as many as 42 
     percent of the seals studied were likely skinned while alive 
     and conscious;
       Whereas the commercial slaughter of seals in the Northwest 
     Atlantic is inherently cruel, whether the killing is 
     conducted by clubbing or by shooting;
       Whereas many seals are shot in the course of the hunt, but 
     escape beneath the ice where they die slowly and are never 
     recovered, and these seals are not counted in official kill 
     statistics, making the actual kill level far higher than the 
     level that is reported;
       Whereas the commercial hunt for harp and hooded seals is a 
     commercial slaughter carried out almost entirely by non-
     Native people from the East Coast of Canada for seal fur, 
     oil, and penises (used as aphrodisiacs in some Asian 
     markets);
       Whereas the fishing and sealing industries in Canada 
     continue to justify the expanded seal hunt on the grounds 
     that the seals in the Northwest Atlantic are preventing the 
     recovery of cod stocks, despite the lack of any credible 
     scientific evidence to support this claim;
       Whereas 2 Canadian Government marine scientists reported in 
     1994 that the true cause of cod depletion in the North 
     Atlantic was over-fishing, and the consensus among the 
     international scientific community is that seals are not 
     responsible for the collapse of cod stocks;
       Whereas harp and hooded seals are a vital part of the 
     complex ecosystem of the Northwest Atlantic, and because the 
     seals consume predators of commercial cod stocks, removing 
     the seals might actually inhibit recovery of cod stocks;
       Whereas certain ministries of the Government of Canada have 
     stated clearly that there is no evidence that killing seals 
     will help groundfish stocks to recover; and
       Whereas the persistence of this cruel and needless 
     commercial hunt is inconsistent with the well-earned 
     international reputation of Canada: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate urges the Government of Canada to 
     end the commercial hunt on seals that opened in the waters 
     off the east coast of Canada on November 15, 2004.

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, according to the highly respected Humane 
Society of the United States, HSUS, Canada's government has authorized 
the slaughter of nearly 1 million seals over 3 years, 2004-2006, most 
of them between 12 days and 12 weeks old. This is the largest kill 
quota in history, which means that Canada is facilitating the 
artificial extension of an industry that has ceased to exist in most 
developed countries.
  Canada officially opened its 6 months commercial seal hunt on 
November 15, 2004, paving the way for hundreds of thousands of baby 
seals to be killed for their fur during the 2004-2005 season. Today, I 
am joined by Senators Collins, Lugar, Reed, Lautenberg, Feinstein, 
Johnson, Jeffords, Wyden, Cantwell, Dodd, Feingold, Durbin, Schumer, 
Murray, and Dorgan in submitting a resolution that urges the Government 
of Canada to end this senseless, inhumane slaughter. Last year, we 
submitted a similar resolution, which was favorably reported by the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  Opposition to the seal hunt is mounting. Canada's own people don't 
support the hunt. Polling shows that 71 percent of Canadians--including 
60 percent of Atlantic Canadians--believe the seal hunt should be 
banned outright or limited to seals over one year of age. Last week, 
Canada's conservative newspaper, National Post, called for an end to 
the hunt. In January 2004, the Belgian government announced its 
intention to prohibit the sale of seal fur; and in November 2003, 166 
members of the British House of Commons signed an Early Day Motion 
opposing Canada's seal hunt. That motion received strong support from 
Britain's Foreign Office Minister, Mike O'Brien. The American people 
don't support it either. According to a 2002 poll conducted by Penn, 
Schoen and Berland, 79 percent of American voters oppose Canada's seal 
hunt; and the U.S. Government has gone on record in opposition to this 
senseless slaughter, as noted in the attached, January 19, 2005, letter 
from the U.S. Department of State, in response to a letter Senator 
Collins and I wrote to President Bush, urging him to raise this issue 
during his November 30, 2004 visit with Canadian Prime Minister Paul 
Martin.
  In 2001, a group of independent veterinarians traveled to observe the 
seal hunt. What they witnessed was shocking to all who are concerned 
about the humane treatment of animals. The images are difficult to 
envision but harder to believe: skinning of live animals and the 
dragging of live seals across the ice using steel hooks.
  Few would argue that this industry still serves a legitimate purpose. 
Even in Newfoundland, where 93 percent of the hunt occurs, the economic 
contribution of the seal hunt is marginal. Exports of seal products 
from Newfoundland account for less than one-tenth of one percent of the 
province's total exports. Is that worth the damage the seal hunt causes 
to Canada's reputation? Out of a population of over half a million 
people, only about 4,000 Newfoundlanders participate in the hunt. 
That's a total take home pay of well under $800 per sealer.
  Many believe that it makes little sense to continue an industry that 
only operates for a few weeks a year, in which the concentrated 
killings takes place. Moreover, it employs only a few hundred people on 
a seasonal, part-time basis.
  The clubbing of baby seals can't be defended or justified, and Canada 
should end it just as we ended the Alaska baby seal massacre 20 years 
ago.
  I ask unanimous consent that the January 19, 2005 letter from the 
U.S. State Department be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                          Department of State,

                                 Washington, DC, January 19, 2005.
     Hon. Carl Levin,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Levin: This is in response to your letter to 
     the President of November 24, 2004 regarding Canadian 
     commercial seal hunting. The White House has requested that 
     the Department of State respond. We regret the delay in 
     responding. Unfortunately, this letter was not received in 
     the Department of State until mid-December, well after the 
     referenced meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister 
     Paul Martin of Canada.
       We are aware of Canada's seal hunting activities and of the 
     opposition to it expressed by many Americans. Furthermore, we 
     can

[[Page 1255]]

     assure you that the United States has a long-standing policy 
     opposing the hunting of seals and other marine mammals absent 
     sufficient safeguards and information to ensure that the 
     hunting will not adversely impact the affected marine mammal 
     population or the ecosystem of which it is a part. The United 
     States policy is reflected in the Marine Mammal Protection 
     Act of 1972 (MMPA) which generally prohibits, with narrow and 
     specific exceptions, the taking of marine mammals in waters 
     or lands subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and 
     the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products 
     into the United States.
       The United States has made known to the Government of 
     Canada its objections and the objections of concerned 
     American legislators and citizens to the Canadian commercial 
     seal hunt on numerous occasions over recent years. The United 
     States has also opposed Canada's efforts within the Arctic 
     Council to promote trade in sealskins and other marine mammal 
     products.
       We hope this information is helpful to you. Please do not 
     hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance in this or 
     any other matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Nancy Powell,
        (For Paul V. Kelly, Asst. Secretary, Legislative Affairs).
                                 ______
                                 

 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
 THERE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PARITY BETWEEN THE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE PAY 
OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES AND THE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE PAY OF 
                CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
Lieberman, Mr. Allen, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dayton, 
Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Corzine, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
Bingaman, and Mrs. Murray) submitted the following concurrent 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs:

                             S. Con. Res. 8

       Whereas members of the uniformed services of the United 
     States and civilian employees of the United States contribute 
     to the general welfare of the United States, maintain the 
     Nation's defenses, and ensure the security of the homeland;
       Whereas civilian employees of the United States play a 
     crucial role in the fight against terrorism, as exemplified 
     by--
       (1) the civilian employees of the Department of Homeland 
     Security and the Department of Defense who are working to 
     ensure the security of the United States;
       (2) the employees of the Intelligence Community and Federal 
     law enforcement who have played a critical role in the 
     investigation of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks 
     and who are working to prevent further terrorist attacks;
       (3) the civilian employees of the Department of State who 
     are working to maintain a broad and sustained international 
     commitment to wipe out terrorism around the world;
       (4) the numerous skilled trade and craft civilian employees 
     of the Federal Government who work side-by-side with the men 
     and women of the Armed Forces to maintain and deploy our air 
     and sea fleet safely and swiftly; and
       (5) the employees of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention within the Department of Health and Human Services 
     who work every day protecting Americans from bioterrorism and 
     those at the Department of Agriculture who strive to keep the 
     Nation's food supply safe;
       Whereas Americans depend on civilian employees of the 
     United States for a vast array of important services from 
     high profile disaster relief in times of national or 
     international emergencies to the reliable administration of 
     the Social Security program;
       Whereas civilian employees of the United States will 
     continue to serve and defend the United States;
       Whereas in fiscal year 2005 the Senate budget resolution 
     supported an across-the-board pay raise for both members of 
     the uniformed services and civilian employees of the United 
     States; and
       Whereas the House of Representatives adopted House 
     Resolution 581 affirming the bipartisan commitment to pay 
     parity for fiscal year 2005: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that rates of 
     pay for all civilian employees of the United States should be 
     adjusted at the same time, and in the same proportion, as are 
     rates of pay for members of the uniformed services.

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with Senators 
Collins, Akaka, Warner, Lieberman, Allen, Mikulski, Snowe, Johnson, 
Dayton, Lautenberg, Kennedy, Durbin, Corzine, Landrieu, Bingaman, and 
Murray in submitting a resolution expressing the sense of the Congress 
that parity between Federal civilian pay and military pay should be 
maintained.
  During this unprecedented time in our Nation's history, both members 
of the uniformed services and civilian Federal employees are 
maintaining our Nation's defenses, ensuring the security of the 
homeland, and making remarkable contributions to the general welfare of 
the United States. Pay parity among all those who serve our Nation 
appropriately recognizes the crucial work and honorable sacrifices of 
the civilian Federal workforce. The contributions of civilian employees 
range from Department of Defense employees working alongside the 
military in hostile environments abroad to those at the Department of 
Health and Human Services who consistently achieve critical 
breakthroughs in science and medicine. The sacrifice of these 
individuals is made evident by individuals such as CIA employee Mike 
Spann, the first casualty of the conflict in Afghanistan; Lawrence 
Foley, an employee of the U.S. Agency for International Development who 
was assassinated by terrorists in Jordan; Joseph Curseen, Jr. and 
Thomas Morris, Jr., postal workers who died as a result of the anthrax 
attacks of 2001; and many others.
  Congress has demonstrated a bipartisan and longstanding commitment to 
the principle of pay parity by providing for equal pay adjustments in 
each of the last three years and 17 of the last 19 years. The budget 
proposal presented to Congress for Fiscal Year 2005 included a 3.5 
percent pay raise for members of the uniformed services, but only a 1.5 
percent pay raise for our dedicated public servants. However, both 
Houses of Congress reaffirmed their support for equal pay by including 
a 3.5 percent raise for both civilian and military employees in their 
respective resolutions and relevant Fiscal Year 2005 appropriations 
bills.
  Providing equitable pay raises for federal employees is not just an 
issue of fairness. It is also critical to recruiting and retaining 
talented individuals in public service, and therefore, to successfully 
administering important Federal programs. Our Federal Government is 
facing a ``human capital'' crisis that threatens institutional 
experience and knowledge at every level. Within the next five years, 
our government could lose up to half of its workforce to retirement. 
These vacancies will occur in an era in which those entering the 
workforce are far less likely to join public service. Numerous studies 
by groups such as the Partnership for Public Service and the Council 
for Excellence in Government indicate that young Americans have 
developed a more positive attitude towards government and politics in 
recent years, but are still unlikely to consider government service as 
a career. One way to address this looming crisis is to take tangible 
steps to make Federal service more financially attractive.
  I should note that despite the pressing need to draw more qualified 
candidates to Federal service, the Federal Employee Pay Comparability 
Act (FEPCA)--designed to bring Federal pay in line with private sector 
pay--has never been fully implemented. If we are serious about 
resolving our Federal workforce shortage issue, we must also begin a 
conversation about implementing FEPCA. At a minimum, however, we should 
recognize the importance of civilian Federal employees by providing 
equal pay raises to all those who choose to serve our country. 
Otherwise we risk further reducing the number of qualified candidates 
we can recruit to civilian federal jobs.
  The dedication of both the uniformed services and our civilian 
employees embody the greatness of our Nation, day in and day out, 
through their commitment to public service. I urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution so that the contributions of both are 
recognized in an equitable manner.

                          ____________________