[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2826-2830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN MOLDOVA

                                 ______
                                 

 RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL READY MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION ON ITS 75TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

   SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF A ``ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DAY''

                                 ______
                                 

 CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASSINATION OF PRIME MINISTER 
                              RAFIQ HARIRI

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 60, S. Res. 61, S. 
Res. 62, and S. Res. 63, which were submitted earlier today, en bloc; 
that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the 
motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions (S. Res. 60, S. Res. 61, S. Res. 62, and S. Res. 63) 
were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                               S. Res. 60

       Whereas, on August 27, 1991, Moldova declared independence 
     from the Soviet Union;
       Whereas parliaments were elected in Moldova in free and 
     fair multiparty elections during 1990, 1994, and 1998;
       Whereas international observers stated that the May 2003 
     local elections for mayors and regional councilors, despite 
     scattered reports of irregularities, were generally 
     consistent with international election standards;
       Whereas Freedom House, a non-profit, nonpartisan 
     organization working to advance the expansion of political 
     and economic freedom, has designated Moldova's political 
     environment as ``partly free'' and, using a scale of 1 to 7 
     (with 1 being the most free), assigned a rating of 3 for 
     political rights in Moldova and 4 for civil liberties in 
     Moldova;
       Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires a 
     period of political campaigning conducted in an environment 
     in which administrative action, violence, intimidation, or 
     detention do not hinder the parties, political associations, 
     and candidates from presenting their views and qualifications 
     to potential voters;
       Whereas, in a genuinely democratic election, parties and 
     candidates are free to organize supporters and conduct public 
     meetings and events;
       Whereas ensuring that parties and candidates enjoy 
     unimpeded access to television, radio, print, and Internet 
     media on a nondiscriminatory basis is fundamental to a free, 
     fair, and democratic election;
       Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires that 
     citizens be guaranteed the right and effective opportunity to 
     exercise their civil and political rights, including the 
     right to vote and to seek and acquire information upon which 
     to make an informed vote in a manner that is free from 
     intimidation, undue influence, attempts at vote buying, 
     threats of political retribution, or other forms of coercion 
     by national or local authorities or others;
       Whereas Moldova is scheduled to conduct parliamentary 
     elections on March 6, 2005;
       Whereas reports indicate that national and local officials 
     in Moldova are increasing their control and manipulation of 
     the media as the election date approaches;
       Whereas there have been widespread reports of harassment of 
     opposition candidates and workers by the police in Moldova;
       Whereas other reports indicate that intimidation of 
     independent civil society monitoring groups by authorities in 
     Moldova is occurring on an increasingly frequent basis;
       Whereas such actions are inconsistent with Moldova's 
     history of the holding of free and fair elections and raise 
     grave concerns regarding the commitment of the authorities in 
     Moldova to conducting free and fair elections;
       Whereas the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 6, 
     2005 will provide a test of the extent to which the 
     Government of Moldova is committed to democracy, free 
     elections, and the rule of law; and
       Whereas the holding of truly free and fair elections in 
     Moldova, including a free and democratic campaign preceding 
     an election, are vital to improving the relationship between 
     Moldova and the United States and to the United States 
     providing support for resolution of the Transnistria conflict 
     and for the provision of assistance to Moldova through the 
     Millennium Challenge Account: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong relationship 
     formed between the United States and Moldova since Moldova 
     declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 
     1991;
       (2) recognizes that a precondition for the full integration 
     of Moldova into the Western community of nations is the 
     establishment of a genuinely democratic political system in 
     Moldova;

[[Page 2827]]

       (3) supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial 
     integrity of Moldova;
       (4) encourages all political parties in Moldova to offer 
     genuine solutions to the serious problems that face Moldova, 
     including human trafficking, corruption, unemployment, and 
     territorial issues;
       (5) expresses its strong and continuing support for the 
     efforts of the people of Moldova to establish full democracy, 
     including the rule of law and respect for human rights;
       (6) urges the Government of Moldova to meet its commitments 
     to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 
     (OSCE) for the holding of democratic elections;
       (7) urges the Government of Moldova to ensure--
       (A) the full transparency of election procedures before, 
     during, and after the parliamentary elections scheduled to be 
     held on March 6, 2005;
       (B) the right to vote for all citizens of Moldova;
       (C) unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to 
     print, radio, television, and Internet media on a 
     nondiscriminatory basis; and
       (D) the right of opposition candidates and workers to 
     engage in campaigning free of harassment, discrimination, and 
     intimidation; and
       (8) pledges its enduring support and assistance to the 
     people of Moldova for the establishment of a fully free and 
     open democratic system that is free from coercion, the 
     creation of a prosperous free market economy, the 
     establishment of a secure independence, and Moldova's 
     assumption of its rightful place as a full and equal member 
     of the Western community of democracies.

                               S. Res. 61

       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association was 
     founded and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
     on the 26th day of December, 1930;
       Whereas the founders of the National Ready Mixed Concrete 
     Association possessed the leadership and vision to establish 
     a single voice for the ready mixed concrete industry;
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association 
     represents and acts on behalf of the industry before all 
     divisions of government and those public and private 
     organizations whose work affects the ready mixed concrete 
     business;
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has 
     been a pioneer in the field of concrete technology through 
     groundbreaking research and advanced scientific methods in 
     the practical use and applications of ready mixed concrete;
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has 
     gained national distinction by developing innovative 
     breakthroughs in engineering, aggressive market promotion, 
     and its contribution toward the creation of the first 
     undergraduate degree in concrete industry management in the 
     United States;
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association leads 
     the concrete industry through its education and certification 
     programs;
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association today 
     represents 1,300 producer member companies, both national and 
     multinational, that employ thousands of workers and operate 
     in every congressional district in the United States;
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association 
     continues today to assist producers in the ready mixed 
     concrete community through the introduction of innovative 
     safety procedures, modern health initiatives, and progressive 
     environmental control programs in an effort to enhance the 
     performance level of the industry; and
       Whereas the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association will 
     continue to look toward the future by forging alliances 
     within the ready mixed community, and by becoming more 
     educated in business operations and more knowledgeable about 
     the product and the role of ready mixed concrete in the 
     construction and building of the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the National Ready Mixed Concrete 
     Association for its 75 year history and its contributions to 
     the construction of the infrastructure of the United States, 
     including homes, buildings, bridges, and highways;
       (2) recognizes that the National Ready Mixed Concrete 
     Association has been and will continue to be an invaluable 
     asset in developing the history and character of the United 
     States; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the National Ready Mixed Concrete 
     Association as an expression of appreciation and for public 
     display at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's 
     2005 national convention.

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, it is my honor to submit today a 
resolution congratulating the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association 
on reaching a historic milestone--its 75th anniversary. The NRMCA 
entered this world in 1930 when the Nation was facing some trying 
times. The country was suffering from a deep economic depression and 
midwestern farmers were struggling through a drought. Still, many 
people were flocking to the movies to see ``All Quiet on the Western 
Front'' and ``Cimarron,'' which went on to win the Academy Award for 
best picture. Golfer Bobby Jones won both the British Open and the U.S. 
Open and in Pennsylvania, a group of men met to officially form the 
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
  The founders of the NRMCA wanted to establish a single voice for the 
ready mixed concrete industry to represent the industry before all 
levels of government. They wanted the NRMCA to set product quality 
standards for the entire ready mixed concrete industry, without 
governmental intervention or mandates.
  If you were to ask the founders today about the progress of their 
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, I am certain the founders 
would be proud of the association's accomplishments and the quality of 
the ongoing work.
  While the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association continues to 
represent the ready mixed industry, it has also become the leader in 
the practical use and applications of ready mixed concrete, a pioneer 
in the development and implementation of its education and 
certification programs, and a strong hand reaching out to ready mixed 
concrete State associations, ready mixed producers, and other members 
across the country.
  In my State, the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete Association has a 
close working relationship with the NRMCA. These benefits can be felt 
across the State as the use of ready mixed concrete continues to 
increase. In the latest data, Oklahoma ready mixed production hit 
5,440,000 cubic yards by the end of 2003. That is an increase of more 
than 1 million cubic yards from just 7 years earlier when ready mixed 
concrete production was at 4,206,000 cubic yards.
  The growing use of ready mixed concrete has spurred a host of new 
ready mixed concrete companies and businesses in the State and made the 
ones already in existence even stronger. People in Oklahoma know some 
of the names of the ready mixed companies just by the names on the side 
of the concrete trucks traveling on the roads and highways. Familiar 
names include:

       Adair: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Stillwell, OK; Twin 
     Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tahlequah, OK.
       Alfalfa: Alva Concrete, Alva, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Enid, 
     OK; Enid Concrete Co., Inc., Enid, OK; Kimball/Fairview Ready 
     Mix, Inc., Fairview, OK.
       Atoka: Harold's Redi Mix, Lehigh, OK; Joe Brown Co., Inc., 
     Atoka, OK; Rustin Concrete Company, Atoka, OK; Twin Cities 
     Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, OK.
       Beckham: Dolese Bros. Co., Elk City, OK.
       Blaine: B & W Ready Mix, Inc., Watonga/Okeene, OK; Ogle 
     Ready Mix, Inc., Kingfisher, OK.
       Bryan: Dolese Bros. Co., Durant, OK; Rustin Concrete 
     Company, Durant, OK.
       Caddo: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Chickasha, OK; Carnegie 
     Concrete Company, Carnegie, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Anadarko, 
     OK.
       Canadian: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Tuttle, OK; Dolese 
     Bros. Co., El Reno/Piedmont/Yukon, OK; Ensey Concrete & 
     Construction, Okahoma City, OK; Ogle ReadyMix, Inc., 
     Kingfisher, OK; Schwarz Ready Mix, Inc., El Reno, OK--Yukon, 
     OK--Piedmont, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, Oklahoma City, OK.
       Carter: Day Concrete & Block Company, Ardmore, OK; Dolese 
     Bros. Co., Ardmore, OK.
       Cherokee: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Tahlequah, OK; Twin 
     Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tahlequah, OK--Muskogee.
       Choctaw: Rustin Concrete Company, Hugo, OK.
       Cleveland: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Tuttle, OK; Dolese 
     Bros. Co., Moore/Norman, OK; Ensey Concrete & Construction, 
     Oklahoma City, OK; Perma Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; Schwarz 
     Ready Mix, Inc., Norman, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, Oklahoma 
     City, OK.
       Coal: Harold's Redi Mix, Lehigh, OK; Jennings Stone Co., 
     Inc., Ada, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Ada, OK; Rustin Concrete 
     Company, Atoka, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, 
     OK.
       Comanche: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Cache/Lawton, OK; 
     Lawton Transit Mix, Inc., Lawton, OK; Southwest Ready Mix, 
     Lawton, OK.
       Cotton: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Duncan--Duncan, Cache/
     Lawton, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Duncan, OK; Lawton Transit Mix, 
     Inc., Lawton, OK; Southwest Ready Mix Lawton, OK.
       Craig: Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc., 
     Vinita, OK.

[[Page 2828]]

       Creek: Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc., 
     Tulsa, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tulsa, OK.
       Custer: Dolese Bros. Co., Clinton, OK--Weatherford, OK.
       Delaware: Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc., 
     Grove, OK; NEO Concrete & Materials (DBA Green Country 
     Concrete), Grove, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tahlequah, 
     OK.
       Dewey: Kimball Ready Mix, Inc., Seiling, OK.
       Garfield: Dolese Bros. Co., Enid, OK; Enid Concrete Co., 
     Inc., Enid, OK.
       Garvin: L.A. Jacobson, Inc., Pauls Valley, OK--Lindsay, OK; 
     Wynnewood, OK.
       Grady: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Chickasha, OK--Tuttle, 
     OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Chickasha, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, 
     Oklahoma City, OK; Schwarz Ready Mix, Inc., Tuttle, OK.
       Grant: Dolese Bros. Co., Enid, OK; Enid Concrete Co., Inc., 
     Enid, OK; PC Concrete Company, Inc., Ponca City, OK.
       Greer: Altus Ready Mix, Altus/Hobart, OK; Southwest Ready 
     Mix, Altus, OK.
       Harmon: Altus Ready Mix, Altus, OK; Southwest Ready Mix, 
     Altus, OK.
       Haskell: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Webbers Falls, OK; Twin 
     Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester--Stigler, OK; Wilburton, 
     OK.
       Hughes: Van Eaton Ready Mix, Holdenville, OK.
       Jackson: Altus Ready Mix, Altus, OK; Southwest Ready Mix, 
     Altus, OK.
       Jefferson: Dolese Bros. Co., Waurika, OK.
       Johnston: Jennings Stone Co., Inc., Ada, OK; Dolese Bros. 
     Co., Tishomingo, OK.
       Kay: PC Concrete Company, Inc., Ponca City, OK.
       Kingfisher: Ogle Ready Mix, Inc., Kingfisher, OK; Schwarz 
     Ready Mix, Inc., Okarche, OK.
       Kiowa: Carnegie Concrete Company, Carnegie, OK; Altus Ready 
     Mix, Altus/Hobart, OK.
       Latimer: Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester--Wilburton, 
     OK; Poteau--Stigler, OK.
       Leflore: Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Poteau, OK--Stigler, 
     OK; Wilburton, OK.
       Lincoln: Dolese Bros. Co., Stillwater, OK; Kerns Ready 
     Mixed Concrete, Stillwater, OK; Perma Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; 
     Stillwater Concrete & Materials, Inc., Stillwater, OK; Block 
     Sand Company, McLoud, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Shawnee, OK; Van 
     Eaton Ready Mix, Shawnee, OK.
       Logan: Dolese Bros. Co., Guthrie, OK; Ogle Ready Mix, Inc.
       Love: Dolese Bros. Co., Marietta, OK.
       Major: Kimball Ready Mix, Inc., Fairview, OK.
       Marshall: Dolese Bros. Co., Madill, OK; Rustin Concrete 
     Company Madill, OK.
       Mayes: Kemp Stone Company, Inc., Pryor, OK; Mayes County 
     Petroleum Pryor, OK; Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-
     Okla., Inc., Pryor, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., 
     Tahlequah--Tulsa, OK.
       McClain: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Newcastle, OK; Dolese 
     Bros. Co., Newcastle, OK; Dolese Bros. Co., Blanchard, OK; 
     L.A. Jacobson, Inc., Purcell, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, 
     Oklahoma City, OK.
       McCurtain: Rustin Concrete Company, Broken Bow, OK--Idabel, 
     OK, Valliant, OK.
       McIntosh: Foresee Ready Mix Concrete, Eufaula, OK--
     Checotah, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester--
     Muskogee, OK, Stigler, OK.
       Murray: Dolese Bros. Co., Davis, OK--Sulphur, OK.
       Muskogee: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Webbers Falls, OK; 
     Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Muskogee, OK--Tahlequah Tulsa, 
     OK.
       Noble: Perry Ready Mix, Inc., Perry, OK.
       Nowata: Bartlesville Redi-Mix, Inc., Bartlesville, OK; 
     Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., Inc., Vinita, OK.
       Okfuskee: Van Eaton Ready Mix, Holdenville, OK.
       Oklahoma: Atlas-Tuck Concrete, Inc., Tuttle, OK; Dolese 
     Bros. Co., Oklahoma City/Edmond/Midwest City, OK; Ensey 
     Concrete & Construction, Oklahoma City/Midwest City, OK; 
     Goddard Ready Mixed Concrete, Oklahoma City/Choctaw/Midwest 
     City, OK; Perma Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; Schwarz Ready Mix, 
     Inc., Oklahoma City, OK--Edmond, OK; Sooner Ready Mix, LLC, 
     Oklahoma City, OK.
       Okmulgee: Okmulgee Ready Mix Concrete Co., Twin Cities 
     Ready Mix, Tulsa, OK.
       Osage: Bartlesville Redi-Mix, Inc., Bartlesville, OK; Black 
     Gold Concrete Skiatook, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., 
     Tulsa, OK.
       Ottawa: NEO Concrete & Materials (DBA Miami Concrete), 
     Miami, OK; NEO Concrete & Materials (DBA Fairland Ready Mix), 
     Fairland, OK.
       Pawnee: Perry Ready Mix, Inc., Perry, OK.
       Payne: Dolese Bros. Co., Stillwater, OK; Kerns Ready Mixed 
     Concrete, Stillwater, OK.
       Pittsburg: Dolese Bros. Co., McAlester, OK; Twin Cities 
     Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, OK-Wilburton, OK.
       Pontotoc: Jennings Stone Co., Inc., Ada, OK; Dolese Bros. 
     Co., Ada, OK; L.A. Jacobson, Inc., Stratford, OK.
       Pottawatomie: Block Sand Company, McLoud, OK; Ensey 
     Concrete & Construction, Dolese Bros. Co., Shawnee, OK; Perma 
     Ready Mix, Newalla, OK; Van Eaton Ready Mix, Inc., Shawnee, 
     OK.
       Pushmataha: Rustin Concrete Company, Antlers, OK; Twin 
     Cities Ready Mix, Inc., McAlester, OK-Wilburton, OK.
       Roger Mills: Dolese Bros. Co., Elk City, OK.
       Rogers: A & M Concrete, Inc., Catoosa, OK; Black Gold 
     Concrete, Skiatook, OK; Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-
     Okla., Inc., Collinsville, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., 
     Tulsa, OK.
       Seminole: Dolese Bros. Co., Seminole, OK.
       Sequouah: Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co., Sallisaw, OK; Twin 
     Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Muskogee, OK-Tahlequah, Poteau, OK.
       Stephens: Atlas-Tuck Concrete Co., Inc., Duncan/Marlow, OK; 
     Dolese Bros. Co., Duncan, OK.
       Tillman: Atlas-Tuck Concrete Co., Inc., Frederick, OK.
       Tulsa: Black Gold Concrete, Skiatook, OK; J & J Sand Co., 
     Broken Arrow, OK; Rainbow Concrete Company, Div. APAC-Okla., 
     Inc., Tulsa/Bixby, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Tulsa, 
     OK; Viking Concrete Company, Broken Arrow, OK.
       Wagoner: A & M Concrete, Inc., Catoosa, OK; Greenhill 
     Materials, Catoosa, OK; Ark River Sand of Oklahoma, Coweta, 
     OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc., Muskogee, OK-Tahlequah, 
     Tulsa, OK.
       Washington: Bartlesville Redi-Mix, Inc., Bartlesville, OK; 
     Black Gold Concrete, Skiatook, OK; Twin Cities Ready Mix, 
     Inc., Tulsa, OK.
       Washita: Carnegie Concrete Company, Carnegie, OK; Dolese 
     Bros. Co., Cordell, OK.
       Woods: Alva Concrete Alva, OK.
       Producer members of the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete 
     Association include: A & M Concrete, Inc.; Altus Ready-Mix, 
     Inc.; Alva Concrete; Arkhola Sand & Gravel Co.; Atlas-Tuck 
     Concrete, Inc.; B & W Ready Mix, L.L.C.; Bartlesville Redi-
     Mix, Inc.; Black Gold Concrete; Block Sand Company, Inc.; 
     Carnegie Concrete Company; Day Concrete & Block Co.; Dolese 
     Bros. Co.; Enid Concrete Company; Foresee Ready Mix Concrete, 
     Inc.; Goddard Concrete Co., Inc.; Jennings Stone Co., Inc.; 
     Kerns Ready Mixed Concrete, Inc.; Kimball Ready Mix, Inc.; 
     L.A. Jacobson, Inc.; Lawton Transit Mix, Inc.; NEO Concrete & 
     Materials, Inc.; DBA Fairland Ready-Mix; NEO Concrete & 
     Materials, Inc.; DBA Green Country Concrete; NEO Concrete & 
     Materials, Inc.; DBA Miami Concrete; Ogle Ready Mix, Inc.; 
     Okmulgee Ready Mix Concrete Co.; PC Concrete Company, Inc.; 
     Perma Ready Mix; Perry Ready-Mix, Inc.; Rustin Concrete 
     Company; Schwarz Ready Mix, Inc.; Sooner Ready Mix, L.L.C.; 
     Southwest Ready Mix; Stillwater Concrete & Materials, Inc.; 
     Twin Cities Ready Mix, Inc.; Van Eaton Ready Mix, Inc.

  In fact, these ready mixed concrete companies operating in the State 
today help Oklahoma grow.
  All along, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has been in 
the forefront serving as a single voice for the industry.
  I have had a close relationship with the National Ready Mixed 
Concrete Association ever since I was elected to Congress in 1986. It 
is in this spirit that I offer this resolution congratulating the 
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association on its 75th anniversary.

                               S. Res. 62

       Whereas Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, 
     in Chicago, Illinois, is the world's first service club and 1 
     of the largest nonprofit service organizations;
       Whereas there are more than 1.2 million Rotary 
     International club members comprised of professional and 
     business leaders in more than 31,000 clubs in more than 165 
     countries;
       Whereas the Rotary International motto, ``Service Above 
     Self'', inspires members to provide humanitarian service, 
     meet high ethical standards, and promote international good 
     will;
       Whereas Rotary International funds club projects and 
     sponsors volunteers with community expertise to provide 
     medical supplies, health care, clean water, food production, 
     job training, and education to millions in need, particularly 
     in developing countries;
       Whereas in 1985, Rotary International launched Polio Plus 
     and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization, 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF to 
     immunize the children of the world against polio;
       Whereas polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, 
     and the world now stands on the threshold of eradicating the 
     disease;
       Whereas Rotary International is the largest privately-
     funded source of international scholarships in the world and 
     promotes international understanding through scholarships, 
     exchange programs, and humanitarian grants;
       Whereas since 1947, more than 35,000 students from 110 
     countries have studied abroad as Rotary Ambassadorial 
     Scholars;
       Whereas Rotary International's Group Study Exchange program 
     has helped more than 46,000 young professionals explore 
     career fields in other countries;
       Whereas 8,000 secondary school students each year 
     experience life in another country through Rotary 
     International's Youth Exchange Program;
       Whereas over the past 5 years, members of Rotary 
     International in all 50 States have

[[Page 2829]]

     hosted participants in Open World, a program sponsored by the 
     Library of Congress, and therefore have earned the honor of 
     serving as Open World's most outstanding host;
       Whereas there are approximately 400,000 Rotary 
     International club members in more than 7,700 clubs 
     throughout the United States sponsoring service projects to 
     address critical issues such as poverty, health, hunger, 
     illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities 
     and abroad; and
       Whereas February 23, 2005, would be an appropriate date on 
     which to observe Rotary International Day: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary 
     International Day'' to celebrate the centennial anniversary 
     of Rotary International; and
       (2) recognizes Rotary International for 100 years of 
     service to improving the human condition in communities 
     throughout the world.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I offer this resolution, S. Res. 62, 
celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its 
centennial anniversary. I am pleased to have Senator Stevens and 
Senator Obama join me in submitting this resolution.
  From a small gathering of friends in Chicago on February 23, 1905, 
Rotary International has grown to become one of the largest non-profit 
service organizations in the world. There are approximately 400,000 
Rotarians in the United States, and 1.2 million members worldwide.
  Rotarians have undertaken countless projects, large and small, to 
improve the well-being of communities around the world. They have 
promoted international exchange and learning as a means of building 
goodwill and understanding between nations.
  In 1985, Rotary International began working with the U.S. Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and 
UNICEF toward a bold goal: to eliminate polio from the earth.
  Since then, Rotarians have contributed over half a billion dollars 
toward the global effort to eradicate polio, and their dedication and 
commitment is paying off. Since 1988, the number of polio cases in the 
world has dropped by 99 percent. The world now stands on the threshold 
of eradicating the disease.
  Winston Churchill reminded us, ``We make a living by what we get, we 
make a life by what we give.'' With this resolution, we honor the 
century of service that the men and women of Rotary International have 
given. I look forward to continuing to work with them in the years 
ahead.

                               S. Res. 63

       Whereas on February 14, 2005, Rafiq Hariri, the former 
     Prime Minister of Lebanon, was assassinated in a despicable 
     terrorist attack;
       Whereas the car bomb used in the assassination killed 16 
     others and injured more than 100 people;
       Whereas the intent of the terrorists who carried out the 
     assassination was to intimidate the Lebanese people and push 
     Lebanon backward toward chaos;
       Whereas Rafiq Hariri served as Prime Minister of Lebanon 
     for a total of 10 years since the end of the Lebanese war in 
     1991;
       Whereas Rafiq Hariri helped revitalize the economy of 
     Lebanon and rebuild its shattered infrastructure and 
     pioneered and directed the rebirth of Beirut's historic 
     downtown district;
       Whereas Rafiq Hariri stepped down as Prime Minister on 
     October 20, 2004;
       Whereas Syria maintains at least 14,000 troops and a large 
     number of intelligence personnel in Lebanon;
       Whereas there is widespread opposition in Lebanon to the 
     continuing Syrian presence in Lebanon;
       Whereas the United Nations Security Council issued a 
     Presidential Statement (February 15, 2005) condemning the 
     terrorist bombing that killed Rafiq Hariri and calling on 
     ``the Lebanese Government to bring to justice the 
     perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this heinous 
     terrorist act'';
       Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 
     (September 2, 2004) calls for the political independence and 
     sovereignty of Lebanon, the withdrawal of foreign forces from 
     Lebanon, and the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon;
       Whereas Syria is the main supporter of the terrorist group 
     Hezbollah, the only significant remaining armed militia in 
     Lebanon;
       Whereas Hezbollah supports Palestinian terrorist groups and 
     poses a threat to the prospects for peace in the Middle East;
       Whereas the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note) was enacted 
     into law on December 12, 2003; and
       Whereas the President has recalled the United States 
     Ambassador to Syria for urgent consultations: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) condemns the cowardly and despicable assassination of 
     Rafiq Hariri, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon;
       (2) extends condolences to Prime Minister Hariri's family 
     and the people of Lebanon;
       (3) supports United Nations Security Council Resolution 
     1559 (September 2, 2004), which calls for the withdrawal of 
     all foreign forces from Lebanon;
       (4) urges the President to seek a United Nations Security 
     Council resolution that establishes an independent 
     investigation into the assassination;
       (5) urges the President to consider imposing sanctions 
     under the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty 
     Restoration Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 2151 note); and
       (6) supports the call of the Lebanese people for an end to 
     Syria's presence in Lebanon, and for free and fair elections 
     monitored by international observers.

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, my resolution, S. Res. 63, calls for an 
international investigation into Monday's assassination of Prime 
Minister Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon. The resolution also urges the 
President to take steps to pressure Syria to leave Lebanon.
  I am pleased that Senators Lugar, Reid, Levin, Dodd, Corzine, Allen, 
and Chafee have joined in co-sponsoring this resolution.
  The despicable murder of Rafiq Hariri has deprived Lebanon of a 
dedicated and effective leader.
  It also is an attempt at intimidating the Lebanese people and pushing 
the country backward toward chaos. It must not succeed.
  In Lebanon and beyond, many suspect that Syria is responsible. That's 
understandable--Syria has an extensive intelligence and military 
presence in Lebanon, its opposition to Hariri is well known, and it 
continues to play a destabilizing role in Lebanese affairs.
  Syria must get out of Lebanon--now.
  Prime Minister Hariri's emergence as an opponent to Syrian meddling 
in Lebanon was seen as a serious threat in Damascus. The fact that he 
was a Muslim holding such opinions was even more problematic, as this 
reflects the spread of anti-Syrian sentiment in recent years beyond the 
Maronite Christian community.
  Cooperation across confessional lines in Lebanon complicates the 
ability of Syria to maintain its grip over Lebanese affairs.
  That is why Syria forced Prime Minister Hariri to resign last 
October. And that is why Syria, through its Lebanese allies, had been 
trying to dilute Hariri's influence by redrawing electoral districts 
ahead of parliamentary elections due later this Spring.
  The resolution I have introduced condemns the assassination, extends 
condolences to Mr. Hariri's family and the Lebanese people; it demands 
that Syria immediately withdraw its troops and intelligence personnel 
from Lebanon; it urges the President ask the United Nations Security 
Council to go beyond Tuesday's statement condemning the assassination 
by passing a resolution establishing an independent investigation.
  I would add parenthetically that many in Lebanon are skeptical of an 
investigation that would be carried out by a government they perceive 
as taking its orders from Syria.
  The resolution urges the President to consider imposing additional 
sanctions under the Syria Accountability Act.
  Finally, it supports the call of the Lebanese people for an end to 
Syria's presence in Lebanon, and for free and fair elections for 
parliament this Spring monitored by international observers.
  Mr. President, I'd like to add a word about what this resolution does 
not do. It does not in any way, shape, or form even hint at supporting 
the use of force against Syria.
  I think it is important to state that clearly, given the mistrust of 
many in Congress over the administration's intentions after the 
mishandling of Iraq.
  The intent of this resolution is to encourage the President to work 
with the international community to investigate the assassination and 
to use diplomatic pressure for Syria to leave Lebanon.
  In fact, this tragic incident offers an opportunity to work closely 
with France. It was French-U.S. cooperation which resulted in the 
passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution last September 
calling for the

[[Page 2830]]

withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. And just yesterday 
President Chirac made a personal visit to Lebanon to console Hariri's 
family. I commend him for this important gesture.
  I urge President Bush to use his meeting with President Chirac on 
Monday to coordinate the next diplomatic steps.
  If France were to recall its Ambassador to Syria, the rest of Europe 
would follow France's lead. If France and the United States together 
called for a United Nations Security Council resolution to establish an 
independent investigation, I believe such a resolution would pass. Such 
cooperation would send a signal more powerful to the Syrians than any 
unilateral U.S. moves.
  Given the lingering mistrust between Europe and the U.S. over Iraq, 
France may at first be hesitant. That is why I believe President Bush 
should engage personally with President Chirac to develop a joint 
diplomatic strategy and to dispel any apprehensions about our 
intentions.
  Mr. President, Rafiq Hariri's assassination was about more than the 
murder of one leader. It was an attempt to kill the hopes and 
aspirations for freedom in Lebanon.
  There are those who argue that we have no national interest in the 
independence of Lebanon. Given our bitter experiences in Lebanon, I can 
understand their apprehensions. But I disagree that we have no interest 
in Lebanese independence.
  The Syrian presence in Lebanon enables the terrorist group Hezbollah 
to continue to operate as the only significant armed militia 14 years 
after the end of the Lebanese civil war. Hezbollah enables Syrian and 
Iranian hardliners to try and derail renewed hopes for Israeli-
Palestinian peace. Based on my recent meetings with Israeli and 
Palestinian leaders, it is clear that Hezbollah, through its support 
for Palestinian terrorist groups, is seen as a significant threat to a 
fragile peace process.
  That is why I believe we do have an important interest in diminishing 
Syria's involvement in Lebanon.
  At this moment, it is essential that the forces of terror hear a 
unified voice from the civilized world. They must not be seen as 
succeeding, lest they are emboldened to take even more aggressive 
action in other arenas. Instead, Monday's attack must be seen as a 
decisive setback for Syria and its allies.
  I urge the President and the Secretary of State to act quickly on the 
recommendations offered in this resolution.
  Rafiq Hariri's death must not be in vain, and the Lebanese people 
whom he served deserve answers--and action.
  Let us hope that this barbarous murder marks the beginning of the end 
of Syria's presence and interference in Lebanon.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________