[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 26034]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 338--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
                             PASSPORT MONTH

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 338

       Whereas, through international travel, Americans can 
     individually play a major role towards improving foreign 
     relations by building bridges and making connections with 
     citizens of other countries;
       Whereas interacting with the global community inspires 
     Americans to reflect on the diverse multi-cultural background 
     that has defined the United States as a great country of 
     cooperation and progress;
       Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad creates 
     connections with the global community;
       Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad promotes 
     understanding and goodwill throughout the world, opening the 
     doors to increased peace, tolerance, and acceptance;
       Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad opens up a 
     wealth of educational opportunities and experiences for 
     Americans of all ages;
       Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad enables 
     Americans to see first-hand the effect of the United States 
     on the world, including the tremendous amount of humanitarian 
     aid given by the United States through both public and 
     private sectors;
       Whereas having a passport and traveling abroad reminds 
     Americans that they are members of a global family and gives 
     them opportunities to mend rifts around the world;
       Whereas fewer than 23 percent of Americans have passports, 
     thereby limiting their ability to travel outside the United 
     States;
       Whereas the more Americans travel outside the United 
     States, the more they will experience opportunities to 
     increase their understanding of the world and the place of 
     the United States in it;
       Whereas the creation and support of a National Passport 
     Month signals to Americans the important role they can play 
     as ambassadors for the United States by serving as agents of 
     understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect; and
       Whereas travel publishers along with travel editors from 
     the most prestigious media outlets in the United States, 
     student travel organizations, and book sellers have 
     designated September as ``National Passport Month'' to 
     educate the public about the importance of having a passport 
     and the positive impact international travel has on 
     individuals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Passport 
     Month; and
       (2) calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, 
     schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, 
     and the people of the United States to observe National 
     Passport Month with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and 
     activities.

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