[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17049-17050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF RUTH BELL GRAHAM

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                 CONDEMNING THE MILITARY JUNTA IN BURMA

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        HONORING THE FIREFIGHTERS IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed en bloc to the 
consideration of three resolutions submitted earlier today, S. Res. 
249, S. Res. 250, and S. Res. 251, that the resolutions be considered 
and agreed to en bloc, the preambles be agreed to en bloc, the motions 
to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, the consideration of these 
items appear separately in the Record, and any statements be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                              S. Res. 249

       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham was born on June 10, 1920 in 
     Qingjiang, China, the daughter of Presbyterian medical 
     missionaries;
       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham returned to the United States to 
     attend Wheaton College, where she met and fell in love with 
     her future husband, Billy Graham, who would become one of the 
     most acclaimed evangelists in the world;
       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham married Billy Graham on August 13, 
     1943 at Montreat Presbyterian Church in her beloved Western 
     North Carolina;
       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham was the devoted mother of five 
     children (Virginia, Anne, Ruth, Franklin, and Nelson Edman) 
     and the grandmother of 19 grandchildren;
       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham was a renowned author and poet who 
     penned 14 books that have moved and inspired people around 
     the globe;
       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham and Billy Graham were recognized 
     with the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996 for their 
     ``outstanding and lasting contributions to morality, racial 
     equality, family, philanthropy, and religion''; and
       Whereas Ruth Bell Graham touched countless lives worldwide 
     by sharing her tremendous faith, her deep compassion for the 
     less fortunate, her great talents and her lighthearted wit.
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate honors the life, work, and legacy 
     of Ruth Bell Graham, a loyal companion who shined with grace 
     and

[[Page 17050]]

     courage beside her husband Billy Graham, and a dedicated 
     mother who fostered individuality and humility in her five 
     children.

                              S. Res. 250

       Whereas Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has 
     dedicated her life to the peaceful, non-violent movement for 
     democracy and reconciliation in the Union of Burma;
       Whereas Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for 
     Democracy won a majority of parliamentary seats in Burma's 
     last election held in 1990;
       Whereas the State Peace and Development Council of Burma 
     refuses to cede power and permit representative government 
     and has detained Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 11 
     of the last 17 years;
       Whereas the ruling military junta has committed numerous, 
     well-documented atrocities against the people of Burma;
       Whereas Aung San Suu Kyi continues to promote peaceful 
     dialogue and reconciliation despite mistreatment from the 
     State Peace and Development Council;
       Whereas the United States recognizes and supports the 
     dedication and commitment to freedom demonstrated by Aung San 
     Suu Kyi: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for 
     her courage and devotion to the people of the Union of Burma 
     and their struggle for democracy; and
       (2) calls for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and 
     other political prisoners by the State Peace and Development 
     Council.

                              S. Res. 251

       Whereas at approximately 7:00 p.m. on June 18, 2007, a 
     tragic fire started at the Sofa Super Store in Charleston, 
     South Carolina;
       Whereas despite the flames that engulfed the building, the 
     brave men and women of the Charleston Fire Department 
     (Department) fulfilled their duty by rushing inside as others 
     fled for their lives;
       Whereas the fire quickly grew out of control and trapped 2 
     store employees inside;
       Whereas the firefighters attempted to punch through the 
     building walls in a selfless effort to save the lives of 
     these employees;
       Whereas the roof of the building collapsed, trapping the 
     firefighters inside;
       Whereas Captain William ``Billy'' Hutchinson, a 30-year 
     veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Captain Mike Benke, a 20-year veteran of the 
     Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Captain Louis Mulkey, an 11-year veteran of the 
     Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Engineer Mark Kelsey, a 12-year veteran of the 
     Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Engineer Bradford ``Brad'' Baity, a 9-year veteran 
     of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Assistant Engineer Michael French, a 1\1/2\-year 
     veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Fire Fighter James ``Earl'' Drayton, a 32-year 
     veteran of the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Fire Fighter Brandon Thompson, a 4-year veteran of 
     the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas Fire Fighter Melven Champaign, a 2-year veteran of 
     the Department, lost his life in the fire;
       Whereas the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of these 
     firefighters reflects the spirit of South Carolina, as well 
     as the spirit of our great Nation;
       Whereas the United States has not experienced such a 
     devastating loss of firefighters since the horrific events on 
     September 11, 2001; and
       Whereas a grateful Nation mourns the loss of these heroes 
     and vows that their sacrifices were not made in vain: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors William ``Billy'' Hutchinson, Mike Benke, Louis 
     Mulkey, Mark Kelsey, Bradford ``Brad'' Baity, Michael French, 
     James ``Earl'' Drayton, Brandon Thompson, and Melven 
     Champaign, who lost their lives in the course of their duty 
     as firefighters, and recognizes them for their bravery and 
     sacrifice;
       (2) extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these 9 
     brave heroes;
       (3) honors all the firefighters and other public servants 
     who contributed to battling the fire; and
       (4) pledges to continue to support and to work on behalf of 
     the firefighters who risk their lives each day to ensure the 
     safety of all Americans.

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