[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6349-6350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. REID. I now ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the 
consideration of S. Res. 450, S. Res. 451, and S. Res. 452, which were 
submitted earlier today.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent the resolutions be agreed to, the 
preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table 
for all three of these, that there be no intervening action or debate, 
and any statements relating to any one of these three matters 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. 450

     (Designating May 15, 2012, as ``National MPS Awareness Day'')

       Whereas mucopolysaccharidosis (referred to in this 
     resolution as ``MPS'') are a group of genetically determined 
     lysosomal storage diseases that render the human body 
     incapable of producing certain enzymes needed to break down 
     complex carbohydrates;
       Whereas MPS diseases cause complex carbohydrates to be 
     stored in almost every cell in the body and progressively 
     cause cellular damage;
       Whereas the cellular damage caused by MPS--
       (1) adversely affects the human body by damaging the heart, 
     respiratory system, bones, internal organs, and central 
     nervous system; and
       (2) often results in intellectual disabilities, short 
     stature, corneal damage, joint stiffness, loss of mobility, 
     speech and hearing impairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, 
     chronic respiratory problems, and, most importantly, a 
     drastically shortened life span;
       Whereas symptoms of MPS are usually not apparent at birth;
       Whereas, without treatment, the life expectancy of an 
     individual afflicted with MPS begins to decrease at a very 
     early stage in the life of the individual;
       Whereas research has resulted in the development of limited 
     treatments for some MPS diseases;
       Whereas promising advancements in the pursuit of treatments 
     for additional MPS diseases are underway as of the date of 
     agreement to this resolution;
       Whereas, despite the creation of new remedies, the blood-
     brain barrier continues to be a significant impediment to 
     effectively

[[Page 6350]]

     treating the brain, which prevents the treatment of many of 
     the symptoms of MPS;
       Whereas the quality of life of the individuals afflicted 
     with MPS, and the treatments available to those individuals, 
     will be enhanced through the development of early detection 
     techniques and early intervention;
       Whereas treatments and research advancements for MPS are 
     limited by a lack of awareness about MPS diseases;
       Whereas the lack of awareness about MPS diseases extends to 
     individuals within the medical community;
       Whereas the cellular damage that is caused by MPS makes MPS 
     a model for the study of many other degenerative genetic 
     diseases; and
       Whereas the development of effective therapies and a 
     potential cure for MPS diseases can be accomplished by 
     increased awareness, research, data collection, and 
     information distribution: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 15, 2012, as ``National MPS Awareness 
     Day''; and
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of ``National MPS 
     Awareness Day''.

                              S. Res. 451

(Recognizing the goals of National Travel and Tourism Week and honoring 
 the valuable contributions of travel and tourism to the United States 
                              of America)

       Whereas National Travel and Tourism Week was established in 
     1983 when Congress passed the Joint Resolution entitled 
     ``Joint Resolution to designate the week beginning May 27, 
     1984, as `National Tourism Week' '', approved November 29, 
     1983 (Public Law 98-178; 97 Stat. 1126), which recognized the 
     value of travel and tourism;
       Whereas National Travel and Tourism Week is celebrated 
     across the United States from May 5 through 13, 2012;
       Whereas more than 120 travel destinations throughout the 
     United States are holding events in honor of National Travel 
     and Tourism Week;
       Whereas the travel and tourism industry supports more than 
     14,000,000 jobs in the United States;
       Whereas the travel and tourism industry employs individuals 
     in all 50 States and all the territories of the United 
     States;
       Whereas international travel to the United States is the 
     single largest export industry in the country;
       Whereas the travel and tourism industry, Congress, and the 
     executive branch have worked to streamline the visa process 
     and make the United States welcoming to visitors from other 
     countries;
       Whereas travel and tourism provide significant economic 
     benefits to the United States by generating nearly 
     $2,000,000,000,000 in annual economic output;
       Whereas leisure travel allows individuals to experience the 
     rich cultural heritage and educational opportunities of the 
     United States and its communities; and
       Whereas, the immense value of travel and tourism cannot be 
     overstated: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes May 5 through 13, 2012, as National Travel 
     and Tourism Week;
       (2) commends the travel and tourism industry for its 
     important contributions to the United States of America; and
       (3) commends the employees of the travel and tourism 
     industry for their important contributions to the United 
     States of America.

                              S. Res. 452

 (Designating July 13, 2012, as ``Collector Car Appreciation Day'' and 
recognizing that the collection and restoration of historic and classic 
cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements 
              and cultural heritage of the United States)

       Whereas many people in the United States maintain classic 
     automobiles as a pastime and do so with great passion and as 
     a means of individual expression;
       Whereas the Senate recognizes the effect that the more than 
     100-year history of the automobile has had on the economic 
     progress of the United States and supports wholeheartedly all 
     activities involved in the restoration and exhibition of 
     classic automobiles;
       Whereas the collection, restoration, and preservation of 
     automobiles is an activity shared across generations and 
     across all segments of society;
       Whereas thousands of local car clubs and related businesses 
     have been instrumental in preserving a historic part of the 
     heritage of the United States by encouraging the restoration 
     and exhibition of such vintage works of art;
       Whereas automotive restoration provides well-paying, high-
     skilled jobs for people in all 50 States; and
       Whereas automobiles have provided the inspiration for 
     music, photography, cinema, fashion, and other artistic 
     pursuits that have become part of the popular culture of the 
     United States: Now therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates July 13, 2012, as ``Collector Car 
     Appreciation Day'';
       (2) recognizes that the collection and restoration of 
     historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving 
     the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the 
     United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to engage in 
     events and commemorations of Collector Car Appreciation Day 
     that create opportunities for collector car owners to educate 
     young people about the importance of preserving the cultural 
     heritage of the United States, including through the 
     collection and restoration of collector cars.

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