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117-sres-435 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 435 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 1, 2021 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Rubio ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Honoring the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant .
Whereas Versailles, located in Miami, Florida, is known as The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant ; Whereas Versailles was originally founded in 1971 by Felipe Valls, Sr., a Cuban immigrant; Whereas, soon after opening its doors in 1971, Versailles became the gathering place for Cuban exiles located in Miami; Whereas Versailles has been a central spot for notable visitors from across the United States to show their support for the Cuban people; Whereas Versailles has been home to many peaceful protests, including large scale demonstrations like the one that occurred in July 2021 in support of the people of Cuba protesting the harshness of the current regime in that country; Whereas Versailles hosted seas of Cuban Americans celebrating the death of longtime dictator Fidel Castro in November 2016, which led more than 60 TV crews and other forms of media to come and witness a piece of Cuban and Cuban-American history; Whereas the mirrors in the main hall of Versailles, designed by Juan Pérez-Cruz, a decorator with a passion for French styles and uncle of singer Pitbull, appear to make the restaurant goers multiply; Whereas Versailles is described by many residents of Miami-Dade County as being a cultural hub for Cuban Americans and Miamians, which is evidenced by the fact that whenever a sports team in Miami wins a national title or accomplishes something extraordinary, there will be crowds of people outside of Versailles and on Calle Ocho, banging pots and pans together and chanting in celebration; Whereas Versailles is working with the History of Miami Museum and Exile Books to collect memories and stories from individuals in connection with the restaurant over the past 50 years in order to showcase the cultural significance of Versailles; Whereas the legacy of Felipe Valls, Sr., continues with the Valls Group, which has 2,000 employees and owns the 9 La Carretas in South Florida, MesaMar in Coral Gables, Casa Cuba in South Miami, and Casa Juancho, a longtime Spanish restaurant in Little Havana; Whereas the Valls family worked with the locally founded grocery store chain Sedano’s to employ over 400 Versailles staff members while Versailles and all of the La Carreta locations were closed in 2020 during the Coranavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic; and Whereas the Valls family has participated in charitable work throughout the Miami community for many organizations, including the American Cancer Society and Amigos for Kids: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) honors the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as the The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant , as a moment to celebrate Cuban heritage and the innovation of the people of South Florida; (2) notes that the story of Versailles, being created by Cuban immigrants as a cultural hub for Cuban Americans and Miamians, is unique to the United States; and (3) commends Versailles for 50 years of operation and cultural contributions to Miami and the great State of Florida. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres435is/xml/BILLS-117sres435is.xml |
117-sres-436 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 436 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 2, 2021 Mr. Daines (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Risch , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Hickenlooper , Mr. Padilla , and Mr. Heinrich ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the individuals fighting and the individuals who have fallen responding to wildland fires during the ongoing 2021 wildfire season.
Whereas more than 5,000,000 acres have burned in wildfire in 2021; Whereas changing climates, resulting in long-term trends of warmer and drier weather, and mismanagement of the forests of the United States are exacerbating the threat of wildfires and contributing to the greater than normal fire activity in Western States, resulting in dangerous conditions for wildland firefighters; Whereas more than 16,000 personnel have been assigned to contain and combat the fires that threaten the West; Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic has exacerbated the public health and public safety risks inherent in combating wildfires; Whereas Federal job classification and pay levels for wildland firefighters were established more than 30 years ago and should be re-evaluated based on the current wildfire risk and job market; and Whereas wildland firefighters, first responders, sheriffs, and community leaders have acted bravely and risked their lives to contain dangerous wildfires across the United States to protect families and critical infrastructure: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland firefighters who have risked their lives to fight intense wildfires in 2021; (2) honors the bravery and heroism of the men and women assisting in responding to and combating wildfires; (3) expresses appreciation and gratitude to firefighters for protecting lives and property in the United States during the ongoing 2021 wildfire season; (4) expresses full support for communities throughout the West as those communities focus on recovery and rebuilding areas and communities affected by wildfires; and (5) extends gratitude and appreciation to the families and loved ones of wildland firefighters for their important role in supporting the wildland firefighter community. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres436ats/xml/BILLS-117sres436ats.xml |
117-sres-437 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 437 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 3, 2021 Mr. Warnock (for himself, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Booker , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Tester , Ms. Duckworth , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Coons , Ms. Collins , Mr. Risch , Mr. Crapo , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , and Mr. Luján ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions November 30, 2021 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2021, as National First-Generation College Celebration Day .
Whereas November 8 is the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. ) by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965; Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. ) was focused on increasing postsecondary access and success for students, particularly for low-income and first-generation students; Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. ) helped usher in programs necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, first-generation college students, including the Federal TRIO Programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq. ) and the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a ); Whereas the Federal TRIO Programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq. ) are— (1) the primary national effort supporting underrepresented students in postsecondary education; and (2) designed to identify individuals from low-income, first-generation backgrounds in order to— (A) prepare them for postsecondary education; (B) provide them with support services; and (C) motivate and prepare them for doctoral programs; Whereas the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a ) is the primary Federal investment in financial aid for low-income college students, and is used by students at institutions of higher education of their choice; Whereas first-generation college student means— (1) an individual whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or (2) in the case of an individual who regularly resided with and received support from only 1 parent, an individual whose parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree; Whereas first-generation college students may face additional academic, financial, and social challenges that lead to disparate outcomes in college access, completion, and labor market outcomes compared to their peers with parents who attended at least some college; Whereas 56 percent of all college students currently pursuing degrees are first-generation college students; Whereas, in 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-generation Student Success jointly launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration; and Whereas the First-Generation College Celebration has continued to grow, and institutions of higher education, corporations, nonprofits, and elementary and secondary schools now celebrate November 8 as National First-Generation College Celebration Day : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) expresses support for the designation of November 8, 2021, as National First-Generation College Celebration Day ; and (2) urges all people in the United States— (A) to celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration Day throughout the United States; (B) to recognize the important role that first-generation college students play in helping to develop the future workforce; and (C) to celebrate the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. ) and programs under that Act that help underrepresented students access higher education. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres437ats/xml/BILLS-117sres437ats.xml |
117-sres-438 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 438 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 3, 2021 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mrs. Blackburn , Ms. Cantwell , Mr. Rubio , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Ernst , Mr. Luján , Mr. McConnell , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Hagerty , Mr. Brown , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Manchin , and Mr. Grassley ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating October 30, 2021, as a national day of remembrance for the workers of the nuclear weapons program of the United States.
Whereas, since World War II, hundreds of thousands of patriotic men and women, including uranium miners, millers, and haulers, plutonium producers, and onsite participants at atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, have served the United States by building nuclear weapons for the defense of the United States; Whereas dedicated workers paid a high price for advancing a nuclear weapons program at the service and for the benefit of the United States, including by developing disabling or fatal illnesses; Whereas the Senate recognized the contributions, services, and sacrifices that those patriotic men and women made for the defense of the United States in— (1) Senate Resolution 151, 111th Congress, agreed to May 20, 2009; (2) Senate Resolution 653, 111th Congress, agreed to September 28, 2010; (3) Senate Resolution 275, 112th Congress, agreed to September 26, 2011; (4) Senate Resolution 519, 112th Congress, agreed to August 1, 2012; (5) Senate Resolution 164, 113th Congress, agreed to September 18, 2013; (6) Senate Resolution 417, 113th Congress, agreed to July 9, 2014; (7) Senate Resolution 213, 114th Congress, agreed to September 25, 2015; (8) Senate Resolution 560, 114th Congress, agreed to November 16, 2016; (9) Senate Resolution 314, 115th Congress, agreed to October 30, 2017; (10) Senate Resolution 682, 115th Congress, agreed to October 11, 2018; (11) Senate Resolution 377, 116th Congress, agreed to October 30, 2019; and (12) Senate Resolution 741, 116th Congress, agreed to September 30, 2020; and Whereas those patriotic men and women deserve to be recognized for the contributions, services, and sacrifices they made for the defense of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates October 30, 2021, as a national day of remembrance for the workers of the nuclear weapons program of the United States, including the uranium miners, millers, and haulers, plutonium producers, and onsite participants at atmospheric nuclear weapons tests; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities to commemorate October 30, 2021, as a national day of remembrance for past and present workers of the nuclear weapons program of the United States. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres438is/xml/BILLS-117sres438is.xml |
117-sres-439 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 439 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 3, 2021 Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Wicker , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Braun , Mr. Warnock , Mrs. Blackburn , Ms. Warren , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Reed , and Mr. Van Hollen ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the week of November 1 through November 5, 2021, as National Family Service Learning Week .
Whereas family service learning is a method under which children and families learn and solve problems together in a multi-generational approach with active participation in thoughtfully organized service that— (1) is conducted in, and meets the needs of, their communities; (2) is focused on children and families solving community issues together; (3) requires the application of college and career readiness skills by children and relevant workforce training skills by adults; and (4) is coordinated between the community and an elementary school, a secondary school, an institution of higher education, or a family community service program; Whereas family service learning— (1) is multi-generational learning that involves parents, children, caregivers, and extended family members in shared learning experiences in physical and digital environments; (2) is integrated into and enhances the academic achievement of children or the educational components of a family service program in which families may be enrolled; and (3) promotes skills (such as investigation, planning, and preparation), action, reflection, the demonstration of results, and sustainability; Whereas family service learning has been shown to have positive multi-generational effects and encourages families to invest in their communities to improve economic and societal well-being; Whereas, through family service learning, children and families have the opportunity to solve community issues and learn together, thereby enabling the development of life and career skills, such as flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, and leadership and responsibility; Whereas family service learning activities provide opportunities for families to improve essential skills, such as organization, research, planning, reading and writing, technological literacy, teamwork, and sharing; Whereas families participating together in service are afforded quality time learning about their communities; Whereas adults engaged in family service learning serve as positive role models for their children; Whereas family service learning projects enable families to build substantive connections with their communities, develop a stronger sense of self-worth, experience a reduction in social isolation, and improve parenting skills; Whereas family service learning has added benefits for English learners by helping individuals and families to— (1) feel more connected with their communities; and (2) practice language skills; Whereas family service learning is particularly important for at-risk families because family service learning— (1) provides opportunities for leadership and civic engagement; and (2) helps build the capacity to advocate for the needs of children and families; Whereas family service learning programs are equipped to face the unique challenges brought on by the COVID–19 pandemic through community engagement via video teleconferencing or in a socially distanced manner; Whereas family service learning will remain relevant throughout the pandemic as communities face new challenges such as navigating remote learning, technological literacy, and building and maintaining new relationships within communities; and Whereas the value that parents place on civic engagement and relationships within the community has been shown to transfer to children who, in turn, replicate important values, such as responsibility, empathy, and caring for others: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of the week of November 1 through November 5, 2021, as National Family Service Learning Week to raise public awareness about the importance of family service learning, family literacy, community service, and multi-generational learning experiences; (2) encourages people across the United States to support family service learning and community development programs; (3) recognizes the importance that family service learning plays in cultivating family literacy, civic engagement, and community investment; and (4) calls upon public, private, and nonprofit entities to support family service learning opportunities to aid in the advancement of families. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres439ats/xml/BILLS-117sres439ats.xml |
117-sres-440 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 440 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mr. Schatz (for himself, Ms. Murkowski , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Booker , Ms. Cantwell , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Kaine , Mr. King , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Moran , Mr. Padilla , Ms. Rosen , Mrs. Shaheen , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Smith , Mr. Tester , Ms. Warren , Ms. Hirono , and Mr. Sullivan ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.
Whereas, from November 1, 2021, through November 30, 2021, the United States celebrates National Native American Heritage Month; Whereas National Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to consider and recognize the contributions of Native Americans to the history of the United States; Whereas Native Americans are descendants of the original, Indigenous inhabitants of what is now the United States; Whereas the Bureau of the Census estimates that— (1) in 2020, there were 9,666,058 individuals of American Indian and Alaska Native descent in the United States; and (2) in 2019, there were 607,010 individuals of Native Hawaiian descent in the United States; Whereas Native Americans maintain vibrant cultures and traditions and hold a deeply rooted sense of community; Whereas Native Americans have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and perseverance that need to be shared with future generations; Whereas Native Americans speak and preserve Indigenous languages, which have contributed to the English language by being used as names of individuals and locations throughout the United States; Whereas Congress has consistently reaffirmed support for Tribal self-governance and self-determination policies for Native American communities and the commitment of the United States to improving the lives of all Native Americans by— (1) enhancing health care and law enforcement resources; and (2) improving the housing and socioeconomic status of Native Americans; Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationship that the United States has maintained with the various Indian Tribes; Whereas Congress has recognized the contributions of the Iroquois Confederacy and the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the Constitution of the United States with the concepts of— (1) freedom of speech; (2) the separation of governmental powers; and (3) the system of checks and balances between the branches of government; Whereas, with the enactment of the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–33 ; 123 Stat. 1922), Congress— (1) reaffirmed the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Native American governments; and (2) recognized the important contributions of Native Americans to the culture of the United States; Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including the fields of agriculture, environmental stewardship, wayfinding, medicine, music, dance, language, and art; Whereas contemporary applications of traditional knowledge systems of Native Americans have expanded scientific, environmental, and intercultural understanding; Whereas Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars; Whereas Native Americans have served with honor and distinction in the Armed Forces and continue to serve in the Armed Forces in greater numbers per capita than any other group in the United States; Whereas the United States has recognized the contribution of the Native American code talkers in World War I and World War II, who used Indigenous languages as an unbreakable military code, saving countless lives in the United States; and Whereas the people of the United States have reason to honor the great achievements and contributions of Native Americans and their ancestors: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes the month of November 2021 as National Native American Heritage Month ; (2) recognizes the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day in accordance with section 2(10) of the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–33 ; 123 Stat. 1923); and (3) urges the people of the United States to observe National Native American Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Day with appropriate programs and activities. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres440ats/xml/BILLS-117sres440ats.xml |
117-sres-441 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 441 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mr. Hoeven (for himself, Mr. Heinrich , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Braun , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Markey , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Moran , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Portman , Mr. Schumer , Ms. Smith , Mr. Tester , Mr. Thune , Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , and Mr. Boozman ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating November 6, 2021, as National Bison Day .
Whereas, on May 9, 2016, the North American bison was adopted as the national mammal of the United States; Whereas bison are considered a historical and cultural symbol of the United States; Whereas bison are integrally linked with the economic and spiritual lives of many Indian Tribes through trade and sacred ceremonies; Whereas there are approximately 76 Indian Tribes participating in the InterTribal Buffalo Council, which is a Tribal organization incorporated pursuant to section 17 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act ) (48 Stat. 988, chapter 576; 25 U.S.C. 5124 ); Whereas numerous members of Indian Tribes are involved in bison restoration on Tribal land; Whereas members of Indian Tribes have a combined herd of almost 20,000 bison on more than 1,000,000 acres of Tribal land; Whereas bison play an important role in the health of the wildlife, landscapes, and grasslands of the United States; Whereas bison hold significant economic value for private producers and Tribal and rural communities; Whereas, as of 2017, the Department of Agriculture estimates that 182,780 head of bison were under the stewardship of private producers, creating jobs and contributing to the food security of the United States by providing a sustainable and healthy meat source; Whereas a bison has been depicted on the official seal of the Department of the Interior since 1912; Whereas the Department of the Interior has launched the Bison Conservation Initiative, a 10-year cooperative initiative to coordinate the conservation and restoration of wild American bison; Whereas a bison is portrayed on 2 State flags; Whereas the bison has been adopted by 3 States as the official mammal or animal of those States; Whereas the buffalo nickel played an important role in modernizing the currency of the United States; Whereas several sports teams and businesses have the bison as a mascot, which highlights the iconic and cultural significance of bison in the United States; Whereas Indigenous communities and a group of ranchers helped save bison from extinction in the late 1800s by gathering the remaining bison of the diminished herds; Whereas, on December 8, 1905, William Hornaday, Theodore Roosevelt, and others formed the American Bison Society in response to the near extinction of bison in the United States; Whereas, on October 11, 1907, the American Bison Society sent 15 captive-bred bison from the New York Zoological Park, now known as the Bronx Zoo , to the first big game refuge in the United States, now known as the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge ; Whereas, in 2005, the American Bison Society was reestablished, bringing together bison ranchers, Native American leaders and bison herd managers, Federal and State agencies, conservation organizations, artists and writers, young people, and natural and social scientists from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to create a vision for the North American bison in the 21st century; Whereas there are bison herds in national wildlife refuges, national parks, and national forests, and on other Federal land; Whereas there are bison in State-managed herds across 11 States; Whereas private, public, and Tribal bison leaders are working together to continue bison restoration throughout North America; Whereas there is a growing effort to celebrate and officially recognize the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the North American bison to the heritage of the United States; and Whereas members of Indian Tribes, bison producers, conservationists, sportsmen, educators, and other public and private partners have celebrated the annual National Bison Day since 2012 and are committed to continuing this tradition annually on the first Saturday of November: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 6, 2021, the first Saturday of November, as National Bison Day ; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres441ats/xml/BILLS-117sres441ats.xml |
117-sres-442 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 442 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Crapo , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Rosen , Ms. Ernst , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Peters , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Hagerty , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Warnock ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Establishing the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program for the Senate, and for other purposes.
1. SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term eligible individual means an individual who meets the eligibility criteria established under subsection (d)(1)(A); (2) the term Program means the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program established under subsection (b); and (3) the term Sergeant at Arms means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate. (b) Establishment Not later than December 31, 2023, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Sergeant at Arms shall establish a fellowship program to be known as the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program for family members of members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty or of veterans who die of service-connected injuries. (c) Fellowships Under the Program, an eligible individual may serve a 24-month fellowship in the office of a Senator. (d) Administration (1) In general The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the Program, including establishing the criteria for— (A) eligibility to participate in a fellowship under the Program; and (B) a method of prioritizing the assignment of fellowships to the offices of Senators under the Program, if the amount made available to carry out the Program for a fiscal year is not enough to provide fellowships in all offices requesting to participate in the Program for such fiscal year. (2) Placement An eligible individual may serve in a fellowship under the Program at the office of a Senator in the District of Columbia or at a State office of the Senator. (3) Authority for agreement The Sergeant at Arms may enter into an agreement with the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives for the joint operation of the Program, the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program established under House Resolution 107, 116th Congress, agreed to October 29, 2019, and the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program carried out by the Chief Administrative Officer. (e) Exclusion of appointees for purposes of compensation limits The compensation paid to any eligible individual serving in a fellowship under the Program in the office of a Senator shall not be included in the determination of the aggregate gross compensation for employees employed by the Senator under section 105(d)(1) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 ( 20 U.S.C. 4575(d)(1) ). | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres442ats/xml/BILLS-117sres442ats.xml |
117-sres-443 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 443 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mr. McConnell (for Mr. Rounds (for himself, Ms. Sinema , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Coons , Mr. Kelly , Mr. King , Mr. Peters , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Portman , Mr. Braun , and Mr. Daines )) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Establishing the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program for the Senate, and for other purposes.
1. McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term eligible individual means an individual who meets the eligibility criteria established under subsection (d)(1)(A); (2) the term Program means the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program established under subsection (b); and (3) the term Sergeant at Arms means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate. (b) Establishment Not later than December 31, 2023, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Sergeant at Arms shall establish a fellowship program to be known as the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program for wounded or disabled veterans. (c) Fellowships Under the Program, an eligible individual may serve a 24-month fellowship in the office of a Senator. (d) Administration (1) In general The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the Program, including establishing the criteria for— (A) eligibility to participate in a fellowship under the Program; and (B) a method of prioritizing the assignment of fellowships to the offices of Senators under the Program, if the amount made available to carry out the Program for a fiscal year is not enough to provide fellowships in all offices requesting to participate in the Program for such fiscal year. (2) Placement An eligible individual may serve in a fellowship under the Program at the office of a Senator in the District of Columbia or at a State office of the Senator. (3) Authority for agreement The Sergeant at Arms may enter into an agreement with the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives for the joint operation of the Program, the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program established under House Resolution 107, 116th Congress, agreed to October 29, 2019, and the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program carried out by the Chief Administrative Officer. (e) Exclusion of appointees for purposes of compensation limits The compensation paid to any eligible individual serving in a fellowship under the Program in the office of a Senator shall not be included in the determination of the aggregate gross compensation for employees employed by the Senator under section 105(d)(1) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 ( 20 U.S.C. 4575(d)(1) ). | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres443ats/xml/BILLS-117sres443ats.xml |
117-sres-444 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 444 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mr. Blunt (for himself and Mr. Coons ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of Public Radio Music Day and deep appreciation for the role of public radio music stations in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities in the United States.
Whereas more than 25,000,000 listeners in the United States tune in weekly to local noncommercial radio stations to discover, learn about, and enjoy music selections, artists, and genres that are, in many cases, available only on public radio; Whereas approximately 691 public radio music stations serve rural and urban communities in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam; Whereas local public radio music stations celebrate a broad collection of sounds and styles, including jazz, blues, classical, Americana, alternative, folk, roots, bluegrass, and other regional and eclectic genres; Whereas 96 percent of over-the-air broadcasts of classical music in the United States comes from local public radio stations; Whereas local, noncommercial, not-for-profit, public radio music stations are an essential and indispensable force in— (1) developing artists and audiences; (2) sustaining music and performers; and (3) educating and enriching their communities; Whereas local public radio music stations are locally staffed and programmed and share core values of music discovery, curation, preservation, and performance with their communities; Whereas knowledgeable local hosts, live announcers, and expert curation on public radio music stations have a proven track record of— (1) helping audiences discover new and emerging musicians; and (2) providing deep explorations into the history and cultural impact of music; Whereas public radio music stations— (1) tailor their content and programming to reflect regional tastes and talent; (2) make music more accessible through local performances, studio sessions, artist interviews, and music journalism; and (3) broadcast news and information about the local music industry; Whereas public radio music stations connect musicians and artists with local audiences through an expanding range of platforms, including over-the-air, on-stage, and digital and social media; Whereas the emphasis of public radio music stations on music presentation enables new, emerging, and essential artists to build deep and lasting relationships with audiences, adding to the journey of lifelong music enjoyment; Whereas public radio music stations serve as cultural hubs in their communities by providing a place for listeners of diverse backgrounds and ages to come together for the shared thrill of music and to support the local music economy; Whereas local public radio stations partner with schools, hospitals, and other community organizations to provide instruments and musical experiences to underserved populations and promote broad access to music for the public; Whereas, throughout the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic, public radio stations have confronted significant challenges in protecting the health of station employees and maintaining broadcast operations while continuing to provide audiences with high-quality music from local artists and musicians; Whereas, during the COVID–19 pandemic, public radio music stations have endeavored to support the well-being of communities through the unifying power of music, including by maintaining connections with artists through in-home concerts and other specialized programming; Whereas the demonstrated commitment of public radio music stations to community service, education, and cultural support separates nonprofit local public radio stations from other music providers; and Whereas, November 10, 2021, would be an appropriate day to designate as Public Radio Music Day : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of Public Radio Music Day ; and (2) expresses its deep appreciation for the role of public radio music stations, particularly during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic, in serving listeners, musicians, and hundreds of communities in the United States. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres444ats/xml/BILLS-117sres444ats.xml |
117-sres-445 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 445 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mr. Ossoff (for himself and Mr. Warnock ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Congratulating the Atlanta Braves for winning the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series and honoring the life of Henry Louis Aaron.
Whereas, on November 2, 2021, the Atlanta Braves (referred to in this preamble as the Braves ) defeated the American League Champions, the Houston Astros, by 4 games to 2 to win the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series in 6 games; Whereas this victory marks the fourth Major League Baseball World Series championship for the Braves franchise and their first Major League Baseball World Series championship since 1995; Whereas, in overcoming Ronald Acuña, Jr.’s heartbreaking knee injury in July 2021 to win a Major League Baseball World Series championship, the Braves demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and grit; Whereas, during the 2021 playoffs, the Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers to make their first Major League Baseball World Series appearance in 22 years; Whereas the Braves were considered underdogs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2021 National League Championship Series, but the Braves still prevailed through heart and athleticism; Whereas Eddie Rosario was named Most Valuable Player of the 2021 National League Championship Series; Whereas the Braves have won 4 consecutive National League East division titles; Whereas the Braves exhibited outstanding skill and ability to attain an 88-73 record in the 2021 Major League Baseball season; Whereas the Braves recognized baseball legends Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro during the 2021 Major League Baseball season; Whereas, during Hank Aaron Weekend from July 30 to August 1, 2021, fans of the Braves and members of the Atlanta community honored the legacy of Hall of Fame member Henry Louis Aaron, who set records and achieved career highlights while bravely facing racism during his career; Whereas General Manager and President of Baseball Operations of the Braves, Alex Anthopoulos, and the front office and the supporting staff of the Braves navigated an exemplary season and made tremendous decisions to assemble the 2021 World Series Champions; Whereas Manager of the Braves, Brian Snitker, and the coaching staff, clubhouse, and the supporting staff of the Braves managed the 2021 Major League Baseball season, invested in their players, and should be congratulated; Whereas the Houston Astros displayed teamwork, competitive spirit, and sportsmanship in the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series as they faced the Braves; Whereas the entire roster for the Braves of the 2021 season proved to be instrumental in the victory and included— (1) Ian Anderson; (2) Jesse Chavez; (3) Tucker Davidson; (4) Grant Dayton; (5) Jasseel De La Cruz; (6) Max Fried; (7) Luke Jackson; (8) Dylan Lee; (9) Yoan López; (10) Chris Martin; (11) Tyler Matzek; (12) A.J. Minter; (13) Charlie Morton; (14) Kyle Muller; (15) Sean Newcomb; (16) Richard Rodríguez; (17) Will Smith; (18) Drew Smyly; (19) Mike Soroka; (20) Spencer Strider; (21) Josh Tomlin; (22) Touki Toussaint; (23) Jacob Webb; (24) Kyle Wright; (25) Huascar Ynoa; (26) William Contreras; (27) Travis d’Arnaud; (28) Chadwick Tromp; (29) Ozzie Albies; (30) Orlando Arcia; (31) Johan Camargo; (32) Freddie Freeman; (33) Austin Riley; (34) Dansby Swanson; (35) Ronald Acuña Jr.; (36) Ehire Adrianza; (37) Adam Duvall; (38) Terrance Gore; (39) Guillermo Heredia; (40) Cristian Pache; (41) Joc Pederson; (42) Eddie Rosario; and (43) Jorge Soler; Whereas Jorge Soler was named Most Valuable Player for the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series; Whereas the Braves have inspired the people of the city of Atlanta, Cobb County, and Georgia and Braves fans across the United States; Whereas the people of the city of Atlanta, Cobb County, and Georgia and Braves fans everywhere are— (1) proud of the Braves organization; (2) thankful for the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of the Braves during the 2021 season; and (3) thankful to the Braves for bringing another World Series victory to the city of Atlanta; and Whereas fans of the Braves demonstrated true passion and dedication in supporting their team throughout the 2021 Major League Baseball season: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the Atlanta Braves on winning the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series; (2) honors the life and legacy of Henry Louis Aaron; (3) recognizes the achievements, contributions, and dedication of the players, coaches, management, and support staff of the Atlanta Braves; (4) recognizes the hard work and commitment of the staff of Truist Park; and (5) respectfully directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the Chairman of the Braves, Terry McGuirk; (B) the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Braves, Alex Anthopoulos; and (C) the Manager of the Braves, Brian Snitker. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres445ats/xml/BILLS-117sres445ats.xml |
117-sres-446 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 446 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 4, 2021 Mr. Risch (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Commending the Government of the Republic of Lithuania for its resolve in increasing ties with Taiwan and supporting its firm stance against coercion by the Chinese Communist Party.
Whereas, on May 20, 2021, the parliament of Lithuania passed a resolution in which it recognized the People's Republic of China’s treatment of the Uyghurs and members of Muslim and minority communities in Xinjiang region as a genocide, called upon the United Nations to investigate the People's Republic of China’s internment camps for Uyghurs, and asked the European Commission to review its relationship with the People's Republic of China; Whereas, on May 21, 2021, Lithuania withdrew from the 17+1 format that facilitates collaboration between Central and Eastern European nations and the People’s Republic of China; Whereas the 17+1 was designed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to both create business and cultural exchange opportunities for the People’s Republic of China, and to divide European nations on sub-regional issues regarding the People’s Republic of China; Whereas, on June 22, 2021, the Government of Lithuania announced its donation of 20,000 COVID–19 vaccines to Taiwan after the People’s Republic of China blocked Taiwan from participation in the world-wide COVAX vaccine sharing scheme; Whereas, on July 20, 2021, the Government of Lithuania announced the establishment of exchange offices with Taiwan under the name of the Taiwanese Representative Office; Whereas the CCP has aggressively punished other organizations and nations for using the name Taiwan to refer to the island, rather than referring to it by the CCP preferred Chinese Taipei , a practice by which the CCP seeks to force other nations to conform to its view that Taiwan is a part of China; Whereas, in retaliation to the Government of Lithuania’s announcement of the Taiwanese Representative Office, the CCP implemented severe economic restrictions on Lithuania; Whereas, on August 10, 2021, the Government of the People's Republic of China protested the announcement of the new Lithuanian office in Taiwan by recalling its ambassador to Vilnius, and demanding that Lithuania remove its ambassador from Beijing; Whereas, on September 4, 2021, Lithuania’s Ambassador to China, Diana Mickevičienė, returned to Vilnius; Whereas Lithuania’s European neighbors and European Union (EU) leaders have commended Lithuania’s bravery and have expressed willingness to stand in solidarity with Lithuania’s decision, including by issuing a joint letter from European Parliament members on September 3, 2021; Whereas, on September 15, 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the United States commitment to Lithuania, stating, Lithuania and the United States are very strong partners in NATO. We stand together for collective defense and security. We stand against economic coercion, including that being exerted by China. ; Whereas, on September 21, 2021, the Ministry of National Defence in Lithuania recommended that citizens not purchase phones manufactured in the People's Republic of China and throw away their existing phones, after evidence emerged that the devices have censorship technology built in; Whereas, on September 22, 2021, the Government of Lithuania announced an additional vaccine donation to Taiwan totaling 235,900 doses; Whereas the People’s Republic of China has engaged in economic coercion to punish countries that do not do as the CCP wishes, including by banning the import of Australian wine and agricultural products after the Government of Australia supported launching an international investigation into the origins of the COVID–19 pandemic, closing South Korean department stores and tourism after the Republic of Korea deployed the United States Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile battery, restricting imports from the Philippines after that nation protested the People's Republic of China’s assertive and unlawful actions in Scarborough Shoal, and cutting the imports of Norwegian salmon after Norway awarded a Chinese dissident with the Nobel Prize; Whereas the CCP regularly uses its economic power to pressure Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to cut ties with the island and instead diplomatically recognize the People's Republic of China, as it did most recently with the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, leaving Taiwan with just 15 diplomatic allies; and Whereas the CCP has repeatedly and continuously barred Taiwan from meaningful participation in key international organizations such as the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other United Nations organizations and affiliated mechanisms in an attempt to diplomatically isolate Taiwan: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) commends the Government of Lithuania for its decision to deepen ties with Taiwan and standing up to the Chinese Communist Party’s unfair coercion and pressure; (2) commits to supporting Lithuania and Taiwan in the face of these challenges, including by exploring ways to increase economic cooperation with both countries; (3) encourages European allies to continue to stand in solidarity with Lithuania against aggression from the Government of the People’s Republic of China; (4) encourages the Lithuanian business community to continue to seek opportunities for investment and growth with reliable partners outside of the People’s Republic of China’s abusive economic system; (5) expresses concern with the CCP’s aggressive actions and attempts to influence bilateral relations between governments attempting to build positive ties with Taiwan, a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific and a key United States partner; and (6) supports Taiwan in its struggle against CCP malign influence, coercion, and aggression, which threatens not only the Taiwanese people and countries in the Indo-Pacific, but also any nation around the world that enacts policies or positions that are inconsistent with those of the CCP. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres446is/xml/BILLS-117sres446is.xml |
117-sres-447 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 447 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2021 Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Mr. Boozman ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry RESOLUTION Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the National Grain and Feed Association and recognizing the Association and its members for transforming the bounty of United States farmers into safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable human and animal food.
Whereas, on November 9, 1896, a group of 38 grain dealers gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to found the Grain Dealers National Association, which in 1970, became the National Grain and Feed Association, to pursue the advancement . . . of the common interests of those regularly engaged in the grain business ; Whereas the origin of the National Grain and Feed Association is rooted in 5 pressing needs faced by the grain and feed industry at the turn of the 19th century, including the need— (1) to establish a uniform system of grain inspection and grading; (2) to construct a procedure for settling trade disputes; (3) to improve rail grain transportation service; (4) to develop fair rules to govern the trading of grain and feedstuffs; and (5) to elevate the business practices of the industry; Whereas, in 1901, the National Grain and Feed Association formally established an arbitration system, which is believed to be the oldest industry-based arbitration system in North America, to provide a cost-effective and timely mechanism to resolve disputes involving grain, feed, and barge transactions; Whereas, with 27 regional and State affiliated associations, the National Grain and Feed Association consists of more than 1,000 grain, feed, processing, exporting, and other grain-related companies that operate approximately 8,000 facilities and handle the majority of all grains and oilseeds in the United States; Whereas the mission of the National Grain and Feed Association is to advocate a global open market environment to efficiently produce and provide a safe, abundant, affordable, sustainable and wholesome supply of grain, oilseeds, feed and related products responsive to market demand ; Whereas the National Grain and Feed Association fulfills its mission through representation, employee safety and feed quality training, communication, development of future leaders, facilitation of the exchange of ideas, and education to members, government, and the public; and Whereas the National Grain and Feed Association has advocated for the interests of individuals in the grain, feed, and processing industry with respect to the crafting, consideration, and enactment of major legislation impacting the quality, standards, safety, and transportation of grains, oilseeds, and feed in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) celebrates the 125th anniversary of the National Grain and Feed Association; (2) recognizes the National Grain and Feed Association and its members for transforming the bounty of United States farmers into safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable human and animal food; and (3) commends the National Grain and Feed Association for its longstanding and continuing efforts to advocate for grain, feed, and processing interests critical to the agricultural value chain and the competitiveness of the United States. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres447is/xml/BILLS-117sres447is.xml |
117-sres-448 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 448 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2021 Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Portman ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating November 19, 2021, as TSA Appreciation Day .
Whereas November 19, 2021, marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act ( Public Law 107–71 ; 115 Stat. 597) by President George W. Bush, creating the Transportation Security Administration (commonly known as the TSA ); Whereas, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the TSA was established with the mission to prevent similar attacks and restore confidence in air travel; Whereas, for 20 years, employees and officers of the TSA have been on the front lines ensuring safety in the skies and for the traveling public; Whereas, during the COVID–19 pandemic, the TSA quickly adjusted its security operations in order to meet current and future security needs of transportation systems in the United States; Whereas, throughout the COVID–19 pandemic, the TSA has remained on the front lines at airports in the United States; Whereas more than 10,000 employees of the TSA have tested positive for COVID–19, and more than 30 employees of the TSA have lost their lives to COVID–19; and Whereas the people of the United States will continue to be able to rely upon the vigilance of the TSA in the face of future unknown threats: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 19, 2021, as TSA Appreciation Day ; and (2) recognizes— (A) the service and sacrifices made by employees and officers of the Transportation Security Administration; and (B) the role such employees and officers play in keeping the United States secure. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres448is/xml/BILLS-117sres448is.xml |
117-sres-449 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 449 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2021 Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Ms. Ernst , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , and Mr. Van Hollen ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating November 2021 as National College Application Month .
Whereas equality of opportunity for all people is one of the noblest aspirations of the United States; Whereas the United States has created shared economic growth and strengthened civic engagement through making higher education widely available; Whereas higher education enhances the economic mobility of individual students and their families, which is evidenced by— (1) a finding by the Brookings Institute that the median lifetime earnings of holders of an associate degree are uniformly greater than the median lifetime earnings of holders of solely a high school diploma; (2) a finding by the Pew Economic Mobility Project that, for an individual born in the lowest income quintile, obtaining a 4-year degree or a higher degree is associated with— (A) an approximately 70 percent difference in the probability of that individual earning an income outside the lowest income quintile; and (B) a threefold difference in the probability of that individual going on to earn an income in the highest income quintile; (3) the unemployment rate of high school graduates in 2020 who did not immediately matriculate to an institution of higher education the following fall semester was 19.5 percent, which has increased during the COVID–19 pandemic and was almost 3 times higher than the overall unemployment rate of the United States; and (4) the unemployment rate of adults whose highest credential is a high school diploma is almost double that of those with a bachelor’s degree; Whereas the National Student Clearinghouse reports that undergraduate enrollment in higher education has declined precipitously since the beginning of the COVID–19 pandemic, particularly for students in poverty and students of color, as evidenced by— (1) 6.8 percent less high school graduates immediately matriculated to an institution of higher education the following fall semester in 2020, which represents a decline 4.5 times greater than the decline from the prior year; (2) the decline described in paragraph (1) was most notable among graduates at high poverty high schools, who faced an 11.4 percent decline from 2019 in immediate matriculation to an institution of higher education; and (3) the decline described in paragraph (1) also disproportionately affected high school graduates at high minority population schools where college enrollment declined by 9.4 percent from 2019, which represents a decline 10 times greater than the decline from the prior year; Whereas the complexity of financial aid systems and rising college costs can serve as additional deterrents or barriers for students and families as they assess the viability of higher education programs as a postsecondary option; Whereas many students and their families struggle to identify and compare postsecondary options due to— (1) difficulties accessing school counseling services in high school, which is evidenced by an estimation of the American School Counselor Association that the student-to-counselor ratio in the United States is 424 to 1; (2) an absence of reliable programmatic and institutional outcome data; and (3) a lack of comparable and understandable college financial aid offers; Whereas, in addition to expanding outreach and support to recent high school graduates, colleges and universities must also expand outreach and support to adults without a postsecondary degree or credential; Whereas the most recent data available from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study commissioned by the National Center for Education Statistics found that, of undergraduate students in the United States— (1) approximately 27 percent are older than 25 years of age; (2) 38 percent are enrolled part-time; (3) 24 percent are parents; and (4) 86 percent live off-campus; Whereas the National Center for Education Statistics highlights that completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is one of the best predictors of immediate college enrollment, as high school seniors who complete the application are 84 percent more likely to begin postsecondary education in the fall following high school graduation; Whereas applications for State-based financial aid are available in many States for students who do not qualify for Federal student aid; and Whereas the ongoing impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on communities, families, and educational systems across the United States underscores and reinforces the value of ensuring that all individuals, including students enrolled in high school and working adults— (1) understand their postsecondary options; (2) understand college financing opportunities; and (3) have support to navigate the college application and financial aid processes: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 2021 as National College Application Month ; (2) encourages the people of the United States to— (A) evaluate options for pursuing higher education; (B) submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or an appropriate application for State-based financial aid in order to receive college financing opportunities; and (C) support every student, regardless of the background, age, or resources of the student, in obtaining the skills and knowledge needed to thrive; (3) supports efforts to better assist and increase opportunities for low-income, first-generation college students, and students of color, throughout the financial aid process, college application process, and beyond; (4) urges public officials, educators, families, students, and communities in the United States to observe National College Application Month with appropriate activities and programs designed to encourage students and families to consider, research, and apply to college and for financial aid; and (5) commends teachers, school counselors, mentors, and families who support students throughout the college application process, as well as the organizations and institutions partnering to eliminate barriers to higher education. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres449ats/xml/BILLS-117sres449ats.xml |
117-sres-450 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 450 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2021 Mr. Risch submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating November 17, 2021, as National GIS Day .
Whereas the management, use, and exchange of geographic information and geospatial data and analysis are essential for operations and decision making in Federal agencies; Whereas Geographic Information System technology (referred to in this preamble as GIS ) embraces new and innovative ways to use, discover, and share geospatial data through online portals and web services; Whereas GIS facilitates the sharing of geographic data, services, and maps within a digital domain; Whereas GIS helps provide shared and trusted geospatial data, services, and applications for use— (1) by the public; and (2) by government agencies and partners of government agencies to carry out the missions of such agencies and partners; Whereas GIS helps foster collaboration and partnerships to advance the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (referred to in this preamble as the NSDI ); Whereas GIS provides a common framework for the Federal Government and State, Tribal, and local governments, non-Federal partners, communities, constituents, and professional bodies for standards, data catalogs, partnerships, and tools that make up the NSDI; Whereas GIS is used to investigate and address societal and cultural issues, including— (1) local issues; (2) global issues; (3) issues from the past; (4) issues in the present; and (5) future issues identified through modeling; Whereas GIS and related geospatial technologies are used in classrooms to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning; Whereas GIS is an interdisciplinary tool used by students, teachers, researchers, universities, local institutions, and practitioners in numerous fields and disciplines; Whereas GIS fosters competition within the sector of geospatial technologies, which the Department of Labor considers to be a high-growth industry; and Whereas many Federal agencies, State and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, and universities will join other persons around the world to showcase their GIS mapping and geospatial applications on November 17, 2021: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 17, 2021, as National GIS Day ; and (2) encourages users of Geographic Information System technology (referred to in this resolution as GIS ), educators, students, and innovators to continue to employ GIS— (A) to learn and explore; (B) to analyze and address societal challenges; and (C) to drive economic growth for the betterment of the people of the United States and individuals around the world. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres450is/xml/BILLS-117sres450is.xml |
117-sres-451 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 451 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2021 Mr. Warnock (for himself, Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Schumer , Mr. McConnell , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Booker , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Braun , Mr. Brown , Mr. Burr , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Mr. Cassidy , Ms. Collins , Mr. Coons , Mr. Cornyn , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Daines , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Fischer , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Graham , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Hawley , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hickenlooper , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Leahy , Mr. Lee , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Moran , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Paul , Mr. Peters , Mr. Portman , Mr. Reed , Mr. Risch , Mr. Romney , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Sasse , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Shelby , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Smith , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Tester , Mr. Thune , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Toomey , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Young ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator Max Cleland.
Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland was born August 24, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia, the child of Juanita Kesler Cleland and Joseph Hughie Cleland, a World War II veteran, and grew up in Lithonia, Georgia; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland graduated from Stetson University in Florida in 1964, and received his Master’s Degree in history from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; Whereas, following his graduation from Stetson University, Joseph Maxwell Cleland received a Second Lieutenant’s Commission in the Army through its Reserve Officers' Training Corps program; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland volunteered for duty in the Vietnam War in 1967, serving with the 1st Cavalry Division; Whereas, on April 8, 1968, during combat at the mountain base at Khe Sanh, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was gravely injured by the blast of a grenade, eventually losing both his legs and right arm; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service and the Silver Star for gallantry in action; Whereas, in 1970, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was elected to the Georgia Senate as the youngest member and the only Vietnam veteran, where he served until 1975; Whereas, as a Georgia State Senator, Joseph Maxwell Cleland authored and advanced legislation to ensure access to public facilities in Georgia for elderly and handicapped individuals; Whereas, in 1976, Joseph Maxwell Cleland began serving as a staffer on the United States Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs; Whereas, in 1977, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to lead the Veterans Administration; Whereas he was the youngest Administrator of the United States Veterans Administration ever and the first Vietnam veteran to head the agency; Whereas he served as a champion for veterans and led the Veterans Administration to recognize, and begin to treat, post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans suffering the invisible wounds of war; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland was elected in 1982 as Georgia’s Secretary of State, the youngest individual to hold the office, and served in that position for 14 years; Whereas, in 1996, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was elected to the United States Senate representing Georgia; Whereas as a member of the Committee on Armed Services, Joseph Maxwell Cleland advocated for Georgia’s military bases, servicemembers, and veterans, including by championing key personnel issues, playing a critical role in the effort to allow servicemembers to pass their GI Bill education benefits to their children, and establishing a new veterans cemetery in Canton, Georgia; Whereas, in 2002, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was appointed to the 9/11 Commission; Whereas, in 2003, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Board of Directors for the Export-Import Bank of the United States, where he served until 2007; Whereas, in 2009, Joseph Maxwell Cleland was appointed by President Barack Obama as Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission overseeing United States military cemeteries and monuments overseas, where he served until 2017; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland authored 3 books: Strong at the Broken Places, Going for the Max: 12 Principles for Living Life to the Fullest, and Heart of a Patriot; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland received numerous honors and awards over the course of his long and distinguished career; Whereas Joseph Maxwell Cleland was a patriot, veteran, and lifelong civil servant who proudly served Georgia, the United States, and all veterans and servicemembers of the United States; and Whereas, on November 9, 2021, at the age of 79, Joseph Maxwell Cleland died, leaving behind a legacy of service, sacrifice, and joy: Now, therefore, be it
That— (1) the Senate— (A) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Joseph Maxwell Cleland; (B) honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Joseph Maxwell Cleland for his— (i) courage and sacrifice in combat in the Vietnam War; (ii) unwavering dedication to Georgia as a State Senator, Secretary of State, and Senator; and (iii) honorable service to the United States and veterans of the United States through his lifetime of public service and tenure as Administrator of the Veterans Administration; (C) proclaims that Joseph Maxwell Cleland— (i) represented the best of Georgia’s commitment to the United States; and (ii) served continually for more than 50 years with an unwavering commitment to public service; and (D) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate— (i) communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives; and (ii) transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Joseph Maxwell Cleland; and (2) when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Joseph Maxwell Cleland. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres451ats/xml/BILLS-117sres451ats.xml |
117-sres-452 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 452 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2021 Mr. Manchin (for himself, Ms. Collins , Mr. Wyden , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Coons , Mr. Peters , Ms. Hirono , Ms. Klobuchar , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Van Hollen , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Blumenthal , and Mr. Reed ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing November 2021 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month .
Whereas, in the United States, public schools identified approximately 1,400,000 homeless children and youth during the 2018–2019 school year; Whereas an estimated 1,300,000 children younger than 6 years of age in 2018–2019 and approximately 4,200,000 youth and young adults in 2017 experienced homelessness, with many such children, youth, and young adults staying on couches, in motels, in shelters, or outside; Whereas infants experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk for certain illnesses and health conditions, and families experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience involvement in the child welfare system and difficulty with school attendance; Whereas more than 1 in 3 high school students experiencing homelessness had attempted suicide, and nearly 1 in 4 high school students experiencing homelessness had experienced dating violence; Whereas individuals without a high school degree or general educational development certificate (GED) are more than 3 times more likely to report homelessness than their peers, making lack of education the leading risk factor for homelessness; Whereas, in 2018, the high school graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness was 67.8 percent, compared to 80 percent for low-income students and 85.5 percent for all students; Whereas the rate of youth homelessness is the same in rural, suburban, and urban areas; Whereas 29 percent of unaccompanied homeless youth between 13 and 25 years of age have spent time in foster care, compared to approximately 6 percent of all children; Whereas homelessness among children and youth is a complex issue that often co-occurs with deep poverty, low education and employment levels, substance misuse and abuse, mental illness, lack of affordable housing, and family conflict; Whereas COVID–19 in the United States, which was declared a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ), has had a disproportionate effect on children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness; and Whereas awareness of child and youth homelessness must be heightened to encourage greater support for effective programs to help children and youth overcome homelessness: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the efforts of businesses, State and local governments, organizations, educators, and volunteers dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless children and youth; (2) applauds the initiatives of businesses, State and local governments, organizations, educators, and volunteers that— (A) use time and resources to raise awareness of child and youth homelessness, the causes of such homelessness, and potential solutions; and (B) work to prevent homelessness among children and youth; (3) recognizes November 2021 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month ; and (4) encourages those businesses, State and local governments, organizations, educators, and volunteers to continue to intensify their efforts to address homelessness among children and youth during November 2021. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres452ats/xml/BILLS-117sres452ats.xml |
117-sres-453 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 453 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 17, 2021 Ms. Smith (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating November 17, 2021, as National Butter Day .
Whereas, around the world, butter can be found in cuisines of every culture, each of which use butter to enhance recipes and enrich lives; Whereas butter has been on the dinner table for individuals for hundreds of years; Whereas butter has served as a staple for family recipes that have been passed down for generations; Whereas the average individual in the United States eats 6.3 pounds, or about 25 sticks, of cow’s butter each year; Whereas butter sculptures have been used to celebrate scenes and individuals from across the United States since the 19th century; Whereas butter is the crucial ingredient in mouth-watering sauces, rich cookies, creamy mashed potatoes, hearty casseroles, and much more; Whereas butter producers, processors, and dealers have always ensured that butter was available for cooks across the United States; and Whereas butter has improved the meals that have brought families and friends together: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 17, 2021, as National Butter Day ; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to celebrate National Butter Day with their favorite buttery dishes and baked goods. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres453is/xml/BILLS-117sres453is.xml |
117-sres-454 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 454 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 17, 2021 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Cotton , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Hoeven , and Mrs. Hyde-Smith ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of November 21, 2021, as National Warrior Call Day and recognizing the importance of connecting warriors in the United States to support structures necessary to transition from the battlefield.
Whereas establishing an annual National Warrior Call Day will draw attention to the members of the Armed Forces whose connection to one another is key to the veterans and first responders in the United States who may be dangerously disconnected from family, friends, and support systems; Whereas the number of suicides of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty increased to 377 in 2020, a figure up from 348 in 2019; Whereas the suicide rate for veterans has steadily increased since 2006, with 6,261 veterans taking their own lives in 2019; Whereas, after adjusting for sex and age, the rate of veteran suicide in 2018 was 27.5 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the rate among all United States adults at 18.3 per 100,000 individuals; Whereas more veterans have died by suicide in the last 10 years than members of the Armed Forces who died from combat in Vietnam; Whereas many of the veterans who take their own lives have had no contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs; Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic can lead to increased isolation and disconnection, further exacerbating mental and physical ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and emergency medical services providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than members of the general public; Whereas invisible wounds linked to an underlying and undiagnosed traumatic brain injury can mirror many mental health conditions, a problem that can be addressed through appropriate medical treatment; Whereas additional research is needed to highlight the connection between traumatic brain injury as a root cause of invisible wounds and suicide by members of the Armed Forces and veterans; and Whereas November 21, 2021, would be an appropriate day to designate as National Warrior Call Day : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of November 21, 2021, as National Warrior Call Day ; (2) encourages all individuals in the United States, especially members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty and veterans, to call up a warrior, have an honest conversation, and connect them with support, understanding that making a warrior call could save a life; and (3) implores all individuals in the United States to recommit themselves to engaging with members of the Armed Forces through National Warrior Call Day and other constructive efforts that result in solutions and treatment for the invisible scars they carry. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres454is/xml/BILLS-117sres454is.xml |
117-sres-455 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 455 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 17, 2021 Ms. Rosen (for herself, Mr. Barrasso , Ms. Baldwin , and Mrs. Fischer ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating November 2021 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month .
Whereas palliative care and hospice services— (1) can empower individuals to live as fully as possible, surrounded and supported by family and loved ones, despite serious illnesses or injuries; and (2) are critical parts of the continuum of supports and services people with serious illness and their families need; Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic public health emergency has— (1) led to a sudden and unexpected increase in the number of individuals facing a serious illness or injury, which has brought attention to the need for better understanding and use of— (A) hospice; (B) palliative care; and (C) advance care planning; (2) disproportionately impacted residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; and (3) limited access to family caregivers who play a critical role in palliative care and hospice for their loved ones; Whereas ensuring access to palliative care and hospice for all individuals in the United States in need, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, is important; Whereas palliative care and hospice aims to bring patients and family caregivers high-quality care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of skilled health care professionals, including— (1) physicians; (2) nurses; (3) social workers; (4) therapists; (5) counselors; (6) health aides; (7) spiritual care providers; and (8) other health care professionals; Whereas there is a need to increase training opportunities for health care professionals to receive interdisciplinary team-based training in palliative care and hospice; Whereas hospice focuses on quality of life through pain management and symptom control, caregiver assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, with the goal of allowing patients to live fully until the end of life, surrounded and supported by loved ones, friends, and caregivers; Whereas trained palliative care and hospice professionals, during a time of trauma and loss, can provide grief and bereavement support services to individuals with a serious illness or injury, the family members of those individuals, and others; Whereas palliative care is a patient and family-centered approach to care that— (1) provides relief from symptoms and stress; (2) can be complementary to curative treatments; and (3) improves the quality of life of the patient and their family; Whereas, in 2019, more than 1,660,000 individuals in the United States living with a serious illness or injury, and the families of those individuals, received care and support from hospice programs in communities across the United States; Whereas volunteers continue to play a vital role in supporting hospice care and operations; and Whereas palliative care and hospice providers encourage all patients to learn more about their options for care and to share their preferences with family, loved ones, and health care professionals: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 2021 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month ; and (2) encourages the people of the United States— (A) to increase their understanding and awareness of— (i) care for hospice patients with a serious illness or injury; and (ii) the benefits of integrating palliative care early into the treatment plans for patients with a serious illness or injury; (B) to recognize the care and dedication of— (i) millions of family caregivers; and (ii) tens of thousands of palliative care and hospice staff and volunteers; and (C) to observe National Hospice and Palliative Care Month with appropriate activities and programs. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres455ats/xml/BILLS-117sres455ats.xml |
117-sres-456 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 456 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 18, 2021 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Risch , Mr. Leahy , Mr. Coons , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Boozman , and Mr. Cardin ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing support for a free, fair, and peaceful December 4, 2021, election in The Gambia.
Whereas, in 1965, The Gambia became independent from Great Britain; Whereas, in 1970, The Gambia became a republic following a public referendum, and Dawda Jawara was elected president and subsequently reelected an additional five times; Whereas, from 1970 to 1994, The Gambia was one of Africa’s longest running democracies and home to the continent’s human rights body, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights; Whereas, in 1994, President Jawara was forcibly removed from office in a coup by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC), led by Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh; Whereas, after two years of direct AFPRC rule that was heavily criticized by the international community, a flawed constitutional reform process occurred and The Gambia scheduled a new presidential election; Whereas, in the lead up to the September 1996 presidential election, the Jammeh military government outlawed the country’s main opposition parties, restricted media freedom, prohibited meetings between rival candidates and foreign diplomats, and used soldiers to attack opposition rallies; Whereas Jammeh won the 1996 presidential election in a process widely regarded as flawed by international observers; Whereas President Jammeh won reelection in 2001, 2006, and 2011 in electoral processes marred by political repression, intimidation, and technical flaws; Whereas Jammeh’s presidency saw targeted violence and widespread gross human rights violations, particularly against members of the media, including the murder of editor Deyda Hydara and the disappearance of journalist Ebrima Manneh; Whereas President Jammeh personally ordered the kidnapping and torture of individuals he accused of witchcraft and threatened others over their sexual orientation; Whereas thousands of Gambians fled into exile out of concern for their safety, becoming refugees in Africa at large and elsewhere; Whereas the Jammeh government’s human rights record was widely criticized by regional and international human rights groups, as well as the United States, European Union, and members of the United States Senate; Whereas, in December 2016, opposition grand coalition candidate Adama Barrow, who campaigned on the promise of electoral and constitutional reform, won an upset election victory against President Jammeh; Whereas, immediately after the 2016 election, Jammeh publicly accepted the defeat, but then later rejected the results and refused to depart the presidency; Whereas Jammeh’s refusal to accept defeat was widely condemned, with the African Union refusing to recognize him as president and the Economic Community of West African States deploying an international intervention force to The Gambia; Whereas, on January 19, 2017, Barrow was sworn in as president at the Gambian Embassy in Senegal; Whereas, on January 20, 2017, Jammeh and his family departed The Gambia, reportedly stealing more than $1,000,000,000 from state coffers, eventually to appear in Equatorial Guinea, where he remains in political exile with impunity; Whereas President Barrow initially agreed to limit his term to a three-year transition ending on January 19, 2020, but later stated his intent to serve the full five-year constitutional term; Whereas the Gambian Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was established by an act of the Gambian Parliament to examine abuses committed during the Jammeh era and make recommendations as to whom to hold accountable; Whereas more than 370 victims and former government officials testified at widely viewed TRRC hearings that documented widespread human rights abuses; Whereas the TRRC’s anticipated September 2021 final report submission to President Barrow was delayed; and Whereas The Gambia will hold the first post-Jammeh era presidential election on December 4, 2021, which will include six presidential candidates: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the Gambian people on the successful 2016 presidential election; (2) supports the courageous and necessary work of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission to bring accountability, healing, and reconciliation to the nation; (3) calls on all parties and presidential candidates to participate in a free, fair, credible, and peaceful December 4, 2021, presidential election in The Gambia; and (4) expresses the support of the American people in The Gambia’s continued and noteworthy democratic path forward. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres456is/xml/BILLS-117sres456is.xml |
117-sres-457 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 457 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 18, 2021 Ms. Warren (for herself, Mrs. Capito , and Mr. Markey ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of November 9, 2021, as National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day .
Whereas microtia is a congenital anomaly, affecting the outer ear, where the ear does not fully develop during the first trimester of pregnancy; Whereas microtia is often accompanied by aural atresia, which is the absence or closure of the external auditory ear canal resulting in hearing loss; Whereas an estimated 750,000 people worldwide have microtia; Whereas microtia is diagnosed at birth, affecting 1 ear or both ears, but there is no understanding as to why microtia occurs; Whereas aural atresia is usually diagnosed at birth, affecting 1 ear or both ears, but in some cases may not be recognized until later in life; Whereas doctors and nurses may be well versed in the conditions and quickly educate and prepare parents; Whereas, in certain settings, the conditions are rare enough that misinformation or lack of information quickly evaporates any remaining sense of celebration that accompanies a birth; and Whereas living with facial challenges such as craniofacial microsomia and hearing loss, as well as the longing for social acceptance, are some of the daily concerns for individuals who are born with microtia or aural atresia: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) expresses support for the designation of November 9, 2021, as National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day ; (2) encourages each person of the United States— (A) to celebrate the community that is made up of not only children and adults with microtia or aural atresia, but families, teachers, advocates, and medical professionals from around the world who foster awareness and assistance; and (B) to help promote public awareness of microtia, aural atresia, and the hope that future generations of families will leave the hospital equipped with more answers than questions, along with their dream for their child intact; (3) supports efforts to remove unnecessary barriers and replace them with resources and tools that aim to eliminate bullying and clear the way for an even more successful future for those with microtia or atresia; (4) encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to work together— (A) to raise awareness about microtia or atresia; (B) to improve proper diagnosis of microtia or atresia; and (C) to support advancements in technology that improve the lives of those with microtia and aural atresia; and (5) encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate awareness and educational activities. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres457is/xml/BILLS-117sres457is.xml |
117-sres-458 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 458 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 18, 2021 Mr. Coons submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Whereas, for 75 years, the United Nations Children’s Fund (commonly known as UNICEF ) has worked tirelessly to support the rights and well-being of every child, in partnership with the United States; Whereas UNICEF was established in December 1946 to provide relief for children and adolescents in war-ravished countries and for child health purposes generally and to provide, without discrimination, assistance to vulnerable children around the world; Whereas, in 1965, the Nobel Prize was awarded to UNICEF for the promotion of brotherhood among nations ; Whereas UNICEF has been and remains a formidable and stalwart advocate for children around the world; Whereas UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories to save the lives, to defend the rights, and fulfill the potential of children from early childhood through adolescence; Whereas UNICEF partners with United States service organizations, including with Rotary International to eradicate polio, Kiwanis International to fight maternal and neonatal tetanus and iodine deficiency disorders, the American Red Cross to decrease the incidence of childhood measles, Lions Club International to promote and support education initiatives globally, Special Olympics International to protect and uphold the rights of children with disabilities, and many other organizations; Whereas, since 1990, continuing efforts by UNICEF in partnership with the United States and other countries have helped slash child mortality rates by more than half; Whereas UNICEF provides critical water, sanitation, and hygiene services and supplies for millions of people in 153 countries; Whereas UNICEF trains social service workers to deliver essential services and to provide community-based mental health and psychosocial interventions that reach children, adolescents, parents, and caregivers in 117 countries; Whereas UNICEF helps provide education to millions of children and works to ensure that every child has access to education and the opportunity to develop the skills needed for life and work; Whereas UNICEF plays a key role in the global response by the United Nations to the COVID–19 pandemic and in the global vaccine distribution plan; Whereas, beyond the COVID–19 pandemic, UNICEF responds to new and ongoing humanitarian situations in 152 countries; Whereas UNICEF remains a trusted and reliable source for the secure delivery of vaccines and medicines around the world, particularly for vulnerable populations; Whereas UNICEF provides personal protective equipment and facilitates training on infection prevention and control for millions of health workers; and Whereas UNICEF, through its work on the front lines of the COVID–19 pandemic, seeks not only to facilitate recovery from the COVID–19 crisis, but also to reimagine the future for every child by implementing solutions to respond effectively to the COVID–19 pandemic and strengthening systems to better respond to future crises: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Children’s Fund (commonly known as UNICEF ); (2) applauds UNICEF for the critical role it plays in protecting the rights and lives of vulnerable children around the world, including the global fight against COVID–19; (3) recommits to the United States partnership with and support for UNICEF; and (4) pledges to work with UNICEF to reimagine the future for every child as the world recovers and rebuilds from the COVID–19 pandemic. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres458is/xml/BILLS-117sres458is.xml |
117-sres-459 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 459 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 19, 2021 Mr. Padilla (for himself and Ms. Smith ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning on November 8, 2021, as National School Psychology Week .
Whereas all children and youth learn best when they are healthy, supported, and receive an education that meets their individual needs; Whereas schools can more effectively ensure that all students are ready and able to learn if schools meet all the needs of each student; Whereas learning and development are directly linked to the mental health of children, and a supportive learning environment is an optimal place to promote mental health; Whereas sound psychological principles are critical to proper instruction and learning, social and emotional development, prevention and early intervention, and support for a culturally diverse student population; Whereas school psychologists are specially trained to deliver mental health services and academic support that lower barriers to learning and allow teachers to teach more effectively; Whereas school psychologists facilitate collaboration that helps parents and educators to identify and reduce risk factors, promote protective factors, create safe schools, and access community resources; Whereas school psychologists are trained to assess barriers to learning, utilize data-based decision making, implement research-driven prevention and intervention strategies, evaluate outcomes, and improve accountability; Whereas State educational agencies and other State entities credential more than 35,000 school psychologists who practice in schools in the United States as key professionals that promote the learning and mental health of all children; Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists establishes and maintains high standards for training, practice, and school psychologist credentialing, in collaboration with organizations such as the American Psychological Association, that promote effective and ethical services by school psychologists to children, families, and schools; Whereas the National Association of School Psychologists has a Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services that promotes standards for the consistent delivery of school psychological services to all students in need; Whereas the people of the United States should recognize the vital role school psychologists play in the personal and academic development of the Nation's children; and Whereas the week beginning on November 8, 2021, would be an appropriate week to designate as National School Psychology Week: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of National School Psychology Week; (2) honors and recognizes the contributions of school psychologists to the success of students in schools across the United States; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the vital role school psychologists play in schools, in the community, and in helping students develop into successful and productive members of society. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres459is/xml/BILLS-117sres459is.xml |
117-sres-460 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 460 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 30, 2021 Ms. Duckworth (for herself, Mr. Sullivan , Mrs. Murray , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Durbin , and Mr. King ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating November 2021 as National Runaway Prevention Month .
Whereas results from the Voices of Youth Count national survey, which was published by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago in Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America , indicate that, between 2015 and 2017, an estimated 4,200,000 youth and young adults between 13 and 24 years of age experienced homelessness during a 12-month period, including— (1) an estimated 700,000 youth between 13 and 17 years of age who experienced unaccompanied homelessness; and (2) an estimated 3,500,000 young adults between 18 and 24 years of age; Whereas the rates of youth experiencing homelessness are similar in rural and non-rural areas; Whereas, often, runaway youth— (1) have been expelled from their homes by their families; (2) have experienced abuse and trauma; (3) are involved in the foster care system; (4) lack resources to secure their own basic needs; and (5) are ineligible or unable to access medical or mental health resources; Whereas individuals without a high school degree or general educational development certificate are nearly four times more likely to report homelessness than their peers; Whereas youth of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (commonly referred to as LGBTQ ) youth experience higher rates of homelessness than their heterosexual and white peers; Whereas pregnant youth, parents who are 25 years of age or younger, and their children experience higher rates of homelessness than youth and young adults without children; Whereas American Indian and Alaska Native youth are the group most at risk for experiencing homelessness, as 9 percent of 13- to 17-year olds in such group reported experiencing homelessness during a 12-month period, a rate more than double any other group; Whereas runaway and homeless youth are at an increased risk of exploitation and becoming victims of sex and labor trafficking, and between 19 percent and 49 percent of young individuals who experience homelessness will become victims of trafficking; Whereas youth who run away from home or from foster care are at increased risk of encountering the police and the court system due to laws that prohibit certain actions necessary for the survival of homeless youth; Whereas preventing youth from running away from home and from foster care and supporting youth in high risk situations should be community priorities; Whereas the future of the United States depends on children and the value placed on their ability to acquire the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to successfully develop into safe, healthy, and productive adults; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic, which was declared a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ), has negatively impacted homeless youth; Whereas effective programs that support runaway youth and assist youth and their families by providing safe and stable homes succeed because of partnerships created among families, youth-based advocacy organizations, community-based human service agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and businesses; and Whereas the National Runaway Safeline and the National Network for Youth are leading the promotion of National Runaway Prevention Month in November 2021— (1) to raise awareness of the runaway and homeless youth crisis and the issues faced by runaway and homeless youth; (2) to educate the public about solutions and the role the public can play in ending youth homelessness; and (3) to bring together a broad range of stakeholders to tackle the crisis of youth homelessness: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 2021 as National Runaway Prevention Month ; and (2) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres460is/xml/BILLS-117sres460is.xml |
117-sres-461 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 461 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 30, 2021 Mr. Booker (for himself and Mr. Sullivan ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day.
Whereas, as of the end of 2020, an estimated 37,700,000 people were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including 1,720,000 children; Whereas, in the United States, more than 770,000 people with AIDS have died since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, including nearly 16,000 deaths among people with diagnosed HIV in 2019, with the disease disproportionately affecting communities of color; Whereas each year nearly 40,000 people become newly diagnosed with HIV in the United States; Whereas communities of color are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States; Whereas, in order to address the HIV epidemic in the United States, on August 18, 1990, Congress enacted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act ( Public Law 101–381 ; commonly referred to as the Ryan White CARE Act ) to provide primary medical care and essential support services for people living with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured; Whereas the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides services and support for over half of all people diagnosed with HIV in the United States; Whereas, to further focus attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic among minority communities in the United States, in 1998 the Minority AIDS Initiative was established to provide funds to State and local institutions and organizations to best serve the health care costs and support the needs of racial and ethnic minorities living with HIV; Whereas the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals established a global target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030; Whereas, in order to further address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, in 2003, Congress and the White House created the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); Whereas the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program remains the largest commitment in history by any country to combat a single disease; Whereas, as of 2020, PEPFAR has supported treatment for approximately 17,200,000 people, and has enabled 2,800,000 infants of mothers living with HIV to be born HIV-free; Whereas, in fiscal year 2020, PEPFAR directly supported HIV testing and counseling for 50,000,000 people; Whereas the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was launched in 2002, and, as of 2020, has helped provide antiretroviral therapy to approximately 21,900,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and to 686,000 pregnant women to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS to their children, saving an estimated 44,000,000 lives; Whereas the United States is the largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and every $1 contributed by the United States leverages an additional $2 from other donors, as required by law; Whereas considerable progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including a nearly 30-percent reduction in new HIV infections, an over 50-percent reduction in new HIV infections among children, and an over 45-percent reduction in the number of AIDS-related deaths between 2010 and 2020; Whereas approximately 27,500,000 people had access to antiretroviral therapy in 2020, compared to only 7,800,000 people who had access to such therapy in 2010; Whereas research funded by the National Institutes of Health found that HIV treatment not only saves the lives of people living with HIV, but people living with HIV on effective antiretroviral therapy and who are durably virally suppressed cannot sexually transmit HIV—proving that HIV treatment is prevention; Whereas it is estimated that, without treatment, half of all infants living with HIV will die before their second birthday; Whereas, despite the remarkable progress in combating HIV, significant challenges remain; Whereas there were approximately 1,500,000 new HIV infections in 2020 globally, structural barriers continue to make testing and treatment programs inaccessible to highly vulnerable populations, and an estimated 6,100,000 people living with HIV globally still do not know their HIV status; Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 37,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States in 2018 and 14 percent of the 1,200,000 people in the United States living with HIV are not aware of their HIV status; Whereas men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly young MSM of color, are the population most affected by HIV in the United States; Whereas southern States bear the greatest burden of HIV in the United States, accounting for 51 percent of new infections in 2018; Whereas people living with HIV are frequently susceptible to other infections, such as hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis; Whereas the opioid and heroin epidemics have led to increased numbers of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs, and the crisis has disproportionately affected nonurban areas, where HIV prevalence rates have been low historically and have limited services for HIV prevention and treatment and substance use disorder treatment; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on the public health systems across the United States and the globe; Whereas December 1 of each year is internationally recognized as “World AIDS Day”; and Whereas, in 2021, commemorations for World AIDS Day recognize the need for Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day, including the goal to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths; (2) commends the efforts and achievements in combating HIV/AIDS through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Office of Minority Health, and the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (3) commends the efforts and achievements in combating HIV/AIDS made by PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS; (4) supports efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and around the world by 2030; (5) supports continued funding for prevention, care, and treatment services, and research programs for communities impacted by HIV and people living with HIV in the United States and globally; (6) urges, in order to ensure that an AIDS-free generation is achievable, rapid action by all countries toward further expansion and scale-up of antiretroviral treatment programs, including efforts to reduce disparities and improve access for children to life saving medications; (7) encourages the scaling up of comprehensive prevention services, including biomedical and structural interventions, to ensure inclusive access to programs and appropriate protections for all people at risk of contracting HIV, especially in communities disproportionately impacted; (8) calls for greater focus on the HIV-related vulnerabilities of women and girls, including women and girls at risk for or who have survived violence or faced discrimination as a result of the disease; (9) supports continued leadership by the United States in domestic, bilateral, multilateral, and private sector efforts to fight HIV; (10) encourages input from civil society in the development and implementation of domestic and global HIV policies and programs that guide the response; (11) encourages and supports greater degrees of ownership and shared responsibility by developing countries in order to ensure the sustainability of the domestic responses to HIV/AIDS by those countries; and (12) urges other members of the international community to sustain and scale up their support for and financial contributions to efforts around the world to combat HIV. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres461is/xml/BILLS-117sres461is.xml |
117-sres-462 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 462 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 30, 2021 Ms. Smith (for herself, Mr. Rubio , Mr. Van Hollen , Mrs. Capito , and Mr. Scott of South Carolina ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating November 2021 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and expressing support for early detection and treatment of lung cancer.
Whereas lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women in the United States, accounting for more deaths than colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer combined; Whereas 1 in 15 men and 1 in 17 women in the United States will develop lung cancer during their lifetime; Whereas it is estimated that, in 2021, 235,760 individuals in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and 131,880 individuals will die from the disease; Whereas lung cancer incidence is decreasing twice as fast in men as in women, each year more women die from lung cancer than breast cancer, and by 2035, it is estimated that more women will die from lung cancer than men; Whereas disparities in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and mortality are well-documented, and Black men have the highest incidence of lung cancer and the highest mortality rate from lung cancer of any racial or ethnic group; Whereas, annually, lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death and accounts for between 17,000 and 26,000 deaths in the United States; Whereas women who have never smoked are more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than men who have never smoked; Whereas, in the United States, the proportion of lung cancers diagnosed in individuals who have never smoked is increasing; Whereas the 5-year survival rate for localized lung cancer is 60 percent, yet only about 18 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed at this stage; Whereas screening individuals at high risk of lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography can detect lung cancer earlier than other forms of screening and ultimately save lives; Whereas lung cancer screening can effectively reduce lung cancer mortality, but, annually, only between 2.8 and 7.2 percent of individuals in the United States eligible for lung cancer screening undergo lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography; Whereas current lung cancer screening guidelines help catch cancer early for individuals at high risk of lung cancer, leading to a higher likelihood of successful treatment, but can preclude screening for individuals who develop lung cancer, including individuals who have never smoked but have other risk factors, such as family history of lung cancer, exposure to secondhand smoke, or exposure to radon, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer; and Whereas educational efforts can increase awareness of lung cancer and lung cancer screening among the general public, patients and their families, and health care workers, thereby increasing the early detection of lung cancer: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates November 2021 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month ; (2) supports the purposes and ideals of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month; (3) promotes efforts to increase awareness of, and education about, lung cancer among individuals in the United States; (4) champions efforts to increase lung cancer screening by raising awareness among, and improving access for, individuals who are eligible for lung cancer screening; (5) recognizes the need for research on the early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer; and (6) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Lung Cancer Awareness Month with appropriate awareness and educational activities. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres462ats/xml/BILLS-117sres462ats.xml |
117-sres-463 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 463 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 30, 2021 Mr. Young (for himself, Mr. Cardin , and Mr. Braun ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the goals of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month.
Whereas stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is one of the most difficult cancers to detect in the early stages of the disease, which contributes to high mortality rates; Whereas stomach cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in the lining of the stomach; Whereas stomach cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide; Whereas, in 2021, an estimated— (1) 26,560 cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in the United States; and (2) 11,180 people in the United States will die from stomach cancer; Whereas the estimated 5-year survival rate for stomach cancer is only 32.4 percent; Whereas, in the United States, stomach cancer is more prevalent among racial and ethnic minorities; Whereas increased awareness of, and education about, stomach cancer among patients and health care providers could improve timely recognition of stomach cancer symptoms; Whereas more research into early diagnosis, screening, and treatment for stomach cancer is needed; and Whereas November 2021 is an appropriate month to observe Stomach Cancer Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the goals of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month; (2) supports efforts to increase awareness of, and education about, stomach cancer among the general public of the United States; (3) recognizes the need for additional research into early diagnosis, screening, and treatment for stomach cancer; and (4) encourages States, territories, and localities of the United States to support the goals of Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres463ats/xml/BILLS-117sres463ats.xml |
117-sres-464 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 464 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 30, 2021 Mr. Blunt (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Grassley , Ms. Warren , Mr. Portman , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Manchin , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Risch , Ms. Smith , Mr. Moran , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Booker , Mr. Cramer , Mr. King , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Van Hollen , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Thune , Mr. Casey , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Coons , Mr. Brown , Mrs. Fischer , Mr. Warnock , Mr. Burr , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Hawley , Ms. Lummis , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Lankford , and Ms. Stabenow ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children waiting for adoption, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.
Whereas there are far too many children outside of permanent family care and in the United States foster care system, who are waiting to be adopted; Whereas the Children’s Bureau, an office of the Administration for Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services, supports programs, research, and monitoring to help eliminate barriers to adoption and find permanent families for children; Whereas, every day, loving and nurturing families are strengthened and expanded when committed and dedicated individuals make an important difference in the life of a child through adoption; Whereas the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to— (1) the United States; (2) the foster care system, including kinship care; (3) prospective adoptive parents; and (4) the children awaiting permanency; Whereas foster care systems, prospective adoptive parents, and the children awaiting permanency have stepped up in brave and inspiring ways in order to meet these challenges; Whereas the President traditionally issues an annual proclamation to declare the month of November as National Adoption Month, and the President has proclaimed November 2021 as National Adoption Month; Whereas National Adoption Day has been celebrated as a collective national effort to find permanent and loving families for children in the foster care system; and Whereas the Saturday before Thanksgiving has been recognized as National Adoption Day since at least 2000, and in 2021, the Saturday before Thanksgiving is November 20: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day; (2) recognizes that every child should have a permanent and loving family; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to consider adoption during the month of November and throughout the year. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres464ats/xml/BILLS-117sres464ats.xml |
117-sres-465 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 465 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 2, 2021 Mr. Cassidy (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should prioritize within the Government and emphasize with allies the need to provide continued support to, and maintain legal pathways for the emigration out of Afghanistan of, individuals who do not wish to be governed by the Taliban.
Whereas, on August 15, 2021, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan collapsed, with President Ashraf Ghani fleeing to the United Arab Emirates; Whereas, on the same day, the Taliban seized Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan; Whereas the United States immediately began an emergency evacuation of Afghanistan, focusing on United States citizens, individuals with special immigrant visas, and refugees with Priority 1 and Priority 2 designations; Whereas, on August 31, 2021, the United States ended its evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, leaving United States citizens and an unknown—but notably high—number of visa-eligible Afghans and other allies at risk of harm from the Taliban; Whereas Afghan citizens in Afghanistan are increasingly at risk of food insecurity and poverty; Whereas the increase of poverty in Afghanistan creates conditions that could lead to a dramatic increase in human trafficking and child, early, or force marriage, which disproportionately impact women and girls; Whereas the United States has a legal duty to protect United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from harm; Whereas the United States has a moral duty and security interest in protecting the Afghan citizens who worked to build a democracy for themselves based on assurances from the United States Government that such efforts would be defended by the United States and its allies; Whereas the United States has a humanitarian responsibility to protect individuals who— (1) are at risk of retribution based on their— (A) religious beliefs; (B) activities supporting democracy in Afghanistan; or (C) defense of human rights, especially women’s rights and empowerment; (2) are in imminent danger due to the absence of the United States-led coalition in Afghanistan, which spanned two decades; or (3) are at risk of hunger or starvation; Whereas the United States has ended its military presence in Afghanistan and will conduct any remaining operations in Afghanistan from Doha, Qatar; and Whereas the United States should not accept the loss of two decades of nation-building, civil society strengthening, elections monitoring, advances in rights for girls and women, cultural exchange programs, and many other initiatives in collaboration with the people of Afghanistan: Now, therefore, be it
That— (1) it is the sense of the Senate that— (A) the Secretary of State, in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, should lead a coordinated effort— (i) to extract United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from Afghanistan; (ii) to support Afghan citizens in their efforts to safely leave Afghanistan; and (iii) to maintain open lines of contact and help with individuals remaining in Afghanistan under the Taliban; (B) to carry out the coordinated effort described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of State should— (i) advise and consult with appropriate parties to advocate for the rights and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan at all international venues and with the governments of partner countries; and (ii) oversee support such as— (I) assistance mechanisms for Afghan citizens who are in need of humanitarian assistance or who are defending the human rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens; and (II) other mechanisms sufficient to continue to advocate for United States interests with United States allies and among the international community; (iii) continue the coordinated effort described in subparagraph (A) until the later of— (I) the date on which the Secretary of State has assisted in physically relocating, from Afghanistan to locations outside of the internationally recognized border of Afghanistan, any— (aa) citizen of the United States; and (bb) lawful permanent resident of the United States; (II) the date on which an independent human rights monitor has been established and is functioning in Afghanistan; and (III) the date on which the Secretary of State identifies a neutral international organization or entity that is able to vie for United States interests in Afghanistan till such a time as Afghanistan is returned to legitimate government; (C) the United States should— (i) work with the United Nations to establish humanitarian corridors from and to countries bordering Afghanistan, including Tajikistan, which has indicated willingness to receive Afghan refugees; and (ii) work with such countries to ensure the efficient and safe reception and processing of Afghan refugees, in accordance with international humanitarian law, to be registered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and processed swiftly and equitably for travel to recipient countries, including the United States; (D) such humanitarian corridors should be free from obstruction by the Taliban, and safe passage should be provided by the United Nations or any other organization; (E) humanitarian assistance should continue to be provided to Afghanistan through the United Nations and international nongovernmental organizations, with special focus on the most vulnerable individuals, including women, girls, and individuals from ethnic minority groups, while also ensuring that the assistance does not benefit the Taliban politically or otherwise; (F) the United Nations should appoint an independent, nongovernmental human rights monitor, who— (i) should have continued free access throughout Afghanistan to ensure the Taliban is not brutalizing individuals and families living in Afghanistan; and (ii) should report to the United Nations Security Council in an ongoing fashion on the human rights and humanitarian situation on the ground in Afghanistan; (G) the United States should convene a high-level summit to identify and consult with countries willing and able to receive Afghan refugees; and (H) the Secretary of State should ensure robust interagency coordination and improve collaboration and transparency with Congress, United States civil society, and resettlement agencies so as to improve processing, service provision, and United States capacity to welcome; and (2) the Senate discourages the United States Government from engaging with the Taliban in any way that would grant the Taliban benefits typically afforded to legitimate governments or would otherwise legitimize the Taliban, including by— (A) making deposits through the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, or the Department of the Treasury or facilitating any other transactions that would provide economic support to the Taliban; (B) providing any foreign assistance for a nonhumanitarian purpose that might benefit or accrue to the Taliban; (C) facilitating any exchange of Ambassadors or fielding any diplomatic mission that goes beyond an interest section necessary for diplomatic conversations without recognition; or (D) allowing the Taliban to occupy Afghanistan’s seat in the United Nations. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres465is/xml/BILLS-117sres465is.xml |
117-sres-466 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 466 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 2, 2021 Mr. Luján (for himself, Mr. Leahy , Mr. Markey , and Mr. Merkley ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate in support of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) nuclear security role.
Whereas the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), created in 1957 for the purpose of assisting states in the development and use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, plays a critical role in the global nuclear security regime; Whereas the agency’s activities in nuclear security date back to the 1970s, when the agency began providing ad hoc training courses in physical protection; Whereas these responsibilities expanded following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, reports of nuclear smuggling in the late 1990s, and again after the devastating terror attacks on September 11, 2001; Whereas the agency established the Nuclear Security Fund to assist countries in protecting their nuclear and radiological materials and facilities; Whereas the agency’s nuclear security efforts are sustained by its technical expertise, experience, transparency, and confidentiality; Whereas rogue regimes and clandestine organizations continue to exhibit the ambition to acquire nuclear materials that can be used to build crude radiological and nuclear weapons; Whereas the IAEA Office of Nuclear Security relies almost exclusively on voluntary funding, which is inherently unpredictable and inconsistent; and Whereas the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, issued an Action Plan on April 1, 2016, citing the agency’s need for reliable and sufficient resources : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) maintains that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays an indispensable role in strengthening nuclear security and safety around the globe; (2) reaffirms that the United States has a vital interest in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; and (3) encourages the United States and other member states of the IAEA to take steps to ensure that the IAEA has the resources needed to successfully carry out its duties, including— (A) supporting the IAEA to continue convening ministerial meetings on nuclear security to promote political commitment; (B) contributing to the implementation of the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Plan through reliable and sufficient resources; (C) providing appropriate political, technical, and financial support to the Nuclear Security Fund; and (D) developing a comprehensive strategy to encourage non-state, private sector contributions to the Nuclear Security Fund. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres466is/xml/BILLS-117sres466is.xml |
117-sres-467 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 467 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 2, 2021 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Rubio , Ms. Warren , Mr. Markey , and Mr. Scott of Florida ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation RESOLUTION Recognizing the contributions made by the 305-meter radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory.
Whereas the Department of Defense began developing the Arecibo Observatory located in Barrio Esperanza, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, during the 1950s, and its characteristic instrument, a large radio telescope of 305 meters in diameter was completed in 1963; Whereas the facility was later owned by the National Science Foundation, and supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and various university partners; Whereas the Arecibo Observatory’s 305-meter fixed spherical radio telescope, was the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope until the Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope located in Gizhou, China, began observing in 2016; Whereas the 305-meter radio telescope made unparalleled contributions to the fields of radio astronomy, planetary, and atmospheric sciences, and played a role in inspiring thousands of students in Puerto Rico, the Nation, and the world to pursue careers in STEM fields through the Arecibo Observatory Education and Public Outreach Programs; Whereas the radio telescope significantly advanced the field of radio astronomy, including the first indirect detection of gravitational waves, the first detection of extrasolar planets, innumerable contributions to the field of time domain astronomy and the study of the interstellar medium, and played a key role in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence; Whereas the Arecibo Observatory had the best planetary radar system in the world, used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for near-Earth object detection and was an essential part of the agency’s planetary defense program; Whereas the planetary radar at the Arecibo Observatory has contributed fundamentally and significantly to the knowledge of the solar system; Whereas the Arecibo Observatory’s Incoherent Scatter Radar and supporting facilities have provided fundamental understanding of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere, and the interface between the atmosphere and space that protects the planet from solar wind, meteors, and other potential threats; and Whereas December 1, 2021, marks the 1-year anniversary of the uncontrolled collapse sustained by the radio telescope after a series of cable failures in tower 4: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) acknowledges the loss of the Arecibo Observatory’s radio telescope due to its collapse and its implications for the loss of a unique world-class multidisciplinary science facility which conducted research in the areas of space and atmospheric sciences, radar astronomy and planetary sciences, astronomy, and astrophysics; (2) acknowledges that the uncontrolled collapse of the 305-meter radio telescope represents a remarkable loss of astronomical observation capabilities, scientific research and development, planetary defense capabilities, and applied science advantage for the United States; (3) recognizes the rich scientific, educational, and economic benefits that the Arecibo Telescope has made to the people of Puerto Rico, the Nation, and the world; (4) recognizes the work and contributions made by the thousands of dedicated staff who have supported the Arecibo Observatory for close to 6 decades; (5) commends the National Science Foundation for convening a virtual workshop in June 2021, to explore ideas for future scientific and educational activities at the Arecibo Observatory; and (6) encourages the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies to study means of replacing the scientific capabilities that were lost at the Arecibo Observatory, utilizing new state-of-the-art technologies at the site. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres467is/xml/BILLS-117sres467is.xml |
117-sres-468 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 468 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 6, 2021 Mr. Tester (for himself and Mr. Moran ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.
1. Collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of the rules or regulations of the Senate— (1) a Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate may collect from another Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate within a Senate building or other office secured for a Senator nonmonetary donations of clothing, toys, food, and housewares for charitable purposes related to serving persons in need or members of the Armed Forces and the families of those members during the holiday season, if the charitable purposes do not otherwise violate any rule or regulation of the Senate or Federal law; and (2) a Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate may work with a nonprofit organization with respect to the delivery of donations described under paragraph (1). (b) Expiration The authority provided by this resolution shall expire at the end of the first session of the 117th Congress. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres468ats/xml/BILLS-117sres468ats.xml |
117-sres-469 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 469 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 6, 2021 Mr. Lee (for himself, Ms. Warren , and Ms. Baldwin ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating December 3, 2021, as National Phenylketonuria Awareness Day .
Whereas phenylketonuria (in this preamble referred to as PKU ) is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder that is characterized by the inability of the body to process the essential amino acid phenylalanine and that causes intellectual disability and other neurological problems, such as memory loss and mood disorders, when treatment is not started within the first few weeks of life; Whereas PKU is also referred to as Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Deficiency; Whereas newborn screening for PKU was first initiated in the United States in 1963, became mandatory in most States in 1966, and was recommended for inclusion in State newborn screening programs under the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007 ( Public Law 110–204 ; 122 Stat. 705); Whereas approximately 1 out of every 15,000 infants in the United States is born with PKU; Whereas PKU is treated with medical foods that limit phenylalanine; Whereas the 2012 Phenylketonuria Scientific Review Conference affirmed the recommendation of lifelong dietary treatment for PKU made by the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement in 2000; Whereas, in 2014, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and Genetic Metabolic Dieticians International published medical and dietary guidelines on the optimal treatment of PKU; Whereas medical foods are necessary for children and adults living with PKU; Whereas adults with PKU who discontinue treatment are at risk for serious medical issues, such as depression, impulse control disorder, phobias, tremors, and pareses; Whereas women with PKU must maintain strict metabolic control before and during pregnancy to prevent fetal damage; Whereas children born from untreated mothers with PKU may have a condition known as maternal phenylketonuria syndrome , which can cause small brains, intellectual disabilities, birth defects of the heart, and low birth weights; Whereas, although there is no cure for PKU, treatment involving medical foods, medications, and restriction of phenylalanine intake can prevent progressive, irreversible brain damage; Whereas access to medical foods varies across the United States and the long-term costs associated with caring for untreated children and adults with PKU have a substantial financial impact on families, individuals, and society; Whereas access to medical foods can prevent detrimental effects on individuals with PKU, their families, and society; Whereas scientists and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs in PKU research will be forthcoming; Whereas researchers across the United States are conducting important projects involving PKU; and Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise awareness of PKU among the general public and the medical community: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates December 3, 2021, as National Phenylketonuria Awareness Day ; (2) encourages all individuals in the United States to become more informed about phenylketonuria and the role of medical foods in treating phenylketonuria; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the National PKU Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with phenylketonuria. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres469ats/xml/BILLS-117sres469ats.xml |
117-sres-470 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 470 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 6, 2021 Mr. Moran (for himself, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Schumer , Mr. McConnell , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Booker , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Braun , Mr. Brown , Mr. Burr , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Mr. Cassidy , Ms. Collins , Mr. Coons , Mr. Cornyn , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Daines , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Fischer , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Graham , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Hawley , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hickenlooper , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Leahy , Mr. Lee , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Merkley , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Paul , Mr. Peters , Mr. Portman , Mr. Reed , Mr. Risch , Mr. Romney , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Sasse , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Shelby , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Smith , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Tester , Mr. Thune , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Toomey , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Mr. Warnock , Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Young ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Relating to the death of the Honorable Robert “Bob” J. Dole, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.
Whereas Robert “Bob” J. Dole (referred to in this preamble as “Bob Dole”) was born in Russell, Kansas; Whereas Bob Dole enlisted in the United States Army while he was a student at the University of Kansas, served in World War II, was seriously wounded attempting to save a fellow soldier during a military offensive in Italy, and was awarded 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with an Oak Cluster for his service; Whereas Bob Dole continued his public service by serving in the Kansas State House of Representatives from 1951 to 1953, and he was then elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1961, where he served until 1969; Whereas Bob Dole began his United States Senate career in 1969, which would last until 1996, serving during this period as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Senate Minority Leader, and Senate Majority Leader; Whereas Bob Dole was a life-long advocate for the disabled and was instrumental in the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the Dole-McGovern Food for Education program; Whereas Bob Dole was the Republican nominee for the Presidency of the United States in 1996; Whereas Bob Dole has been recognized by several presidents for his public service, including President Reagan awarding him the Presidential Citizens Medal in 1989 and President Clinton bestowing upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997; Whereas Bob Dole left elected office but remained in public service, serving as— (1) National Chairman of the World War II Memorial Campaign; (2) co-chair of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund for families of victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; (3) co-chair of the President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors in 2007; and (4) Finance Chairman of the Campaign for the National Eisenhower Memorial; Whereas Bob Dole’s bond with veterans remained unbroken, and he rarely missed an opportunity to greet veterans during their Honor Flights to the World War II Memorial, personally thanking each of them for their service; and Whereas Bob Dole exemplified the American spirit of service and leadership: Now, therefore, be it
that— (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Robert Bob J. Dole, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas; (2) the Senate respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate— (A) communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives; and (B) transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable Robert Bob J. Dole; and (3) when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Robert Bob J. Dole. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres470ats/xml/BILLS-117sres470ats.xml |
117-sres-471 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 471 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 7, 2021 Mr. Shelby (for himself and Mr. Tuberville ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry RESOLUTION Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Alabama Farmers Federation and celebrating the long history of the Alabama Farmers Federation serving as the voice for Alabama agriculture and forestry.
Whereas, created by farmers, led by farmers, and dedicated to serving farmers, the Alabama Farmers Federation was founded in 1921; Whereas the Alabama Farmers Federation founded Alfa Insurance in 1946 to provide quality and affordable fire insurance to federation members and has worked to expand coverage to more than 1,000,000 customers in 11 States; Whereas the Alabama Farmers Federation, with more than 360,000 members and 67 county Farmers Federations, has grown to become the largest farmer-led organization in the State of Alabama; Whereas the mission of the Alabama Farmers Federation is to serve farmers by promoting the economic, social and educational interests of all Alabamians ; Whereas the Alabama Farmers Federation fulfills that mission— (1) by representing farm and forestry families of Alabama for the purpose of formulating action to support agriculture, forestry, and rural communities; (2) by improving agricultural production, education, leadership development, marketing, and public policy; and (3) by promoting the well-being of the people of the State of Alabama; Whereas the Alabama Farmers Federation has represented the interests of farmers with respect to the consideration and enactment of all major legislation impacting farmers since the founding of the Alabama Farmers Federation; and Whereas the Alabama Farmers Federation plays a vital role in promoting the well-being of the people of Alabama— (1) by analyzing issues faced by farm and forestry families; and (2) by formulating action to achieve the goals of farm and forestry families: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Alabama Farmers Federation; (2) recognizes the Alabama Farmers Federation for 100 years of promoting farm and forestry interests for the benefit of the people of the State of Alabama; and (3) applauds the Alabama Farmers Federation for its past, present, and future efforts to advocate for agricultural and forestry interests that are critical to the State of Alabama. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres471is/xml/BILLS-117sres471is.xml |
117-sres-472 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 472 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 7, 2021 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Rubio , Mr. Cardin , and Mr. Cassidy ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the Dominican Republic and advancing opportunities to deepen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between the two nations.
Whereas the United States and the Dominican Republic share extensive economic, security, and cultural ties and a mutual commitment to the promotion of internationally recognized human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law; Whereas the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic has contributed to the economic prosperity and national security of both countries, including through the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative; Whereas under the leadership of President Luis Abinader, who took office on August 16, 2020, the Government of the Dominican Republic has taken steps to effectively address the COVID–19 pandemic, fully vaccinating over 60 percent of its adult population, one of the highest vaccination rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, and acquiring sufficient surplus vaccines to provide donations to other countries in the region; Whereas in response to the COVID–19 pandemic, the Government of the Dominican Republic has committed to working with the United States, other Group of 7 countries, the International Monetary Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank to advance global and regional post-pandemic economic recovery efforts; Whereas in 2020, United States foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic totaled $274,500,000, and remittances from the United States accounted for approximately 78 percent of the over $8,000,000,000 in remittances sent to the Dominican Republic, according to data from the Congressional Research Service and World Bank, respectively; Whereas, on September 30, 2021, President Abinader signed presidential decree 612–21, creating a ministerial task force to advance nearshoring initiatives and strengthen the Dominican Republic’s participation in international supply chains and role as an industrial, manufacturing, and logistical hub, including by expanding the country’s network of free trade zones; Whereas the United States and the Dominican Republic would benefit from a coordinated plan of action to bolster economic relations, realign supply chains, and expand ties between the private sectors in both countries; Whereas the Government of the United States has engaged with the Dominican Republic and other regional partners to address the United States serious concerns over the security, human rights, and data privacy risks associated with investments by the People’s Republic of China in telecommunication networks and other critical infrastructure; Whereas the Government of the Dominican Republic has committed to strengthening security cooperation with the United States to address the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and human trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering networks; Whereas a humanitarian crisis, rampant crime, gang violence, and instability in neighboring Haiti, a situation exacerbated by the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise, has deepened the suffering of the Haitian people, increased risks to the Dominican Republic posed by organized criminal groups along its borders, and strained the economic capacity of the Government of the Dominican Republic to address the humanitarian needs of Haitian migrants; Whereas President Abinader has taken significant steps to make the Government of the Dominican Republic more accountable and effective, including by addressing corruption and impunity, appointing an independent Public Prosecutor, requiring additional transparency in public procurement, and proposing legislation to modernize asset forfeiture laws; Whereas, on October 20, 2021, the Governments of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Panama signed a joint declaration expressing concern about irregular migration flows, climate change, post-COVID–19 economic recovery, the deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua, and the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, and called for stronger cooperation on these issues from the United States, regional partners, and the international community; Whereas the Government of the Dominican Republic, as host of the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week 2021, has called for greater regional coordination to address the effects of climate change, including more extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, environmental displacement, and adverse health effects, which Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean are disproportionately vulnerable to; Whereas the Government of the Dominican Republic has called for the peaceful restoration of democracy and rule of law in Venezuela and is hosting approximately 114,000 Venezuelan refugees; and Whereas approximately 2,000,000 people of Dominican origin currently reside in the United States, and over 2,000,000 United States tourists visit the Dominican Republic annually, accounting for the largest number of foreign tourists to the country and bolstering its economically critical tourism sector: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the historic partnership between the United States and the Dominican Republic based on shared democratic values and efforts to advance economic prosperity and national security; (2) encourages continued actions by the Government of the Dominican Republic to assume a regional leadership role in promoting human rights, democratic values, and humanitarian assistance; (3) calls for further steps to strengthen cooperation between the Governments of the United States and the Dominican Republic on issues of shared strategic interest, including— (A) by assisting the Dominican Republic in its post-COVID–19 economic recovery, including through support for United States and global initiatives that help developing countries recover financial sustainability and attain equitable access to international financial markets; (B) by developing and implementing nearshoring initiatives in the Caribbean Basin to realign international supply chains and strengthen the Dominican Republic’s standing as a significant industrial, manufacturing, and logistical hub, including through cooperation on infrastructure development such as ports, power grids, and at free trade zones; (C) facilitating the expansion of economic and commercial ties, including by prioritizing bilateral development project financing and the formation of a United States-Dominican Republic Business Council; (D) by supporting and developing collaborative efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, including promoting development and strengthening the U.S.-Caribbean Resilience Partnership and similar initiatives; (E) by improving security cooperation between the two countries, including in addressing narcotics and human trafficking, dismantling money laundering networks, and strengthening professional law enforcement and criminal justice institutions; and (F) by increasing cooperation with the Dominican Republic and other international partners to promote stability in Haiti, address Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, and facilitate political solutions supported by the Haitian people; (4) urges the Government of the Dominican Republic to continue taking steps to address the inherent human rights, security, and data privacy risks posed by reliance on technology from the People’s Republic of China, including Huawei components, in telecommunication networks; (5) commends efforts by President Abinader to strengthen the political independence of the Attorney General’s Office and institutionalize anti-corruption reforms; and (6) calls on the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development to continue to support the efforts of the Government of the Dominican Republic to respond to the humanitarian needs of Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres472is/xml/BILLS-117sres472is.xml |
117-sres-473 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 473 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 8, 2021 Mr. Rounds (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate on the necessity of maintaining the United Nations arms embargo on South Sudan until conditions for peace, stability, democracy, and development exist.
That it is the sense of the Senate that— (1) the signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, signed on September 12, 2018, have delayed implementation, leading to continued conflict and instability in South Sudan; (2) despite years of fighting, 2 peace agreements, punitive actions by the international community, and widespread suffering among civilian populations, the leaders of South Sudan have failed to build sustainable peace; (3) the United Nations arms embargo on South Sudan, most recently extended by 1 year to May 31, 2022, through United Nations Security Council Resolution 2577 (2021), is a necessary act by the international community to stem the illicit transfer and destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in perpetuation of the conflict in South Sudan; (4) the United States should call on other member states of the United Nations to redouble efforts to enforce the United Nations arms embargo on South Sudan; and (5) the United States, through the United States Mission to the United Nations, should use its voice and vote in the United Nations Security Council in favor of maintaining the United Nations arms embargo on South Sudan until— (A) the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is fully implemented; or (B) credible, fair, and transparent democratic elections are held in South Sudan. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres473is/xml/BILLS-117sres473is.xml |
117-sres-474 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 474 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 8, 2021 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Ms. Lummis , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Braun , Mr. Hawley , and Mr. Cruz ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Demanding that the Communist Party of China prove that Peng Shuai is free from censorship, coercion, and intimidation and fully investigate the sexual assault allegations against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
Whereas, as a decorated professional tennis player, a 3-time Olympian, and the number 1 doubles player in 2014 as ranked by the Women’s Tennis Association, Peng Shuai is one of the most recognizable athletes from the People's Republic of China; Whereas, on November 2, 2021, Peng Shuai publicly accused former Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault; Whereas Peng Shuai was immediately censored by the Communist Party of China and physically removed from public view; Whereas searches for Peng Shuai were blocked on social media platforms accessible from the People's Republic of China; Whereas, for more than 2 weeks, the international athletic community, led by the Women’s Tennis Association, demanded that the Communist Party of China reveal the location and health status of Peng Shuai and fully investigate the allegations against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli; Whereas the state media of the People's Republic of China released an email allegedly from Peng Shuai to the Women’s Tennis Association in which Peng Shuai withdrew her allegations of sexual assault and claimed she was not missing; Whereas the President of the Women’s Tennis Association Steve Simon stated that the email raised more concerns as to the safety and whereabouts of Peng Shuai; Whereas, after immense international public outcry over the disappearance of Peng Shuai, Peng Shuai re-emerged at various structured public events in the People's Republic of China and participated in staged video calls with the International Olympic Committee; Whereas, on December 1, 2021, the Women’s Tennis Association announced that it would halt all tournaments in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, because the Association is not satisfied that Peng Shuai is safe; Whereas Simon stated that the Women’s Tennis Association would willingly cut off one of its largest business partners until the health and safety of Peng Shuai was clarified, despite knowing the decision could cost the Women’s Tennis Association hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenue; Whereas Simon stated, “Chinese officials have been provided the opportunity to cease this censorship, verifiably prove that Peng is free and able to speak without interference or intimidation, and investigate the allegation of sexual assault in a full, fair and transparent manner. Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way. While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.”; Whereas the International Olympic Committee will host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, People’s Republic of China; Whereas the actions of the Communist Party of China in silencing Peng Shuai call into question the safety of other athletes competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games; and Whereas the actions against Peng Shuai and other flagrant human rights abuses, such as the genocide of predominantly Muslim Uyghurs, committed by the Communist Party of China are inconsistent with Olympic values and the integrity of sport: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) applauds the actions of the Women’s Tennis Association— (A) to seek the security and safety of Peng Shuai; and (B) to hold the Communist Party of China accountable for its authoritarian censorship of Peng Shuai; (2) condemns the International Olympic Committee for cooperating in the Communist Party of China's suppression of Peng Shuai; (3) condemns the Communist Party of China’s violation of Peng Shuai’s basic human rights to freedom of speech and movement; and (4) demands that the Communist Party of China— (A) prove that Peng Shuai is free from censorship, coercion, and intimidation; and (B) fully investigate Peng Shuai’s sexual assault allegation against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres474is/xml/BILLS-117sres474is.xml |
117-sres-475 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 475 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 8, 2021 Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Tillis ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Recognizing the 73rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the celebration of Human Rights Day .
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, represents the first comprehensive agreement among countries as to the specific rights and freedoms of all human beings; Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upholds the basic principles of liberty and freedom enshrined in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights; Whereas awareness of human rights— (1) is essential to the realization of fundamental freedoms; (2) promotes equality; (3) contributes to preventing conflict and human rights violations; and (4) enhances participation in democratic processes; Whereas Congress has a proud history of promoting human rights that are internationally recognized; and Whereas December 10 of each year is celebrated around the world as Human Rights Day : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates December 10, 2021, as Human Rights Day ; (2) recognizes the 73rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (3) reaffirms the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (4) supports the right of human rights defenders all over the world to promote the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and (5) encourages the people of the United States— (A) to observe Human Rights Day; and (B) to continue a commitment to upholding freedom, democracy, and human rights around the globe. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres475is/xml/BILLS-117sres475is.xml |
117-sres-476 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 476 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 8, 2021 Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. King ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating December 18, 2021, as “National Wreaths Across America Day”.
Whereas 30 years before the date of adoption of this resolution, the Wreaths Across America project began with an annual tradition that occurs in December, of donating, transporting, and placing 5,000 Maine balsam fir veterans’ remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes buried at Arlington National Cemetery; Whereas, in the 30 years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, more than 12,000,000 wreaths have been sent to various locations, including national cemeteries and veterans’ memorials in every State and overseas; Whereas the mission of the Wreaths Across America project, to “Remember, Honor, and Teach”, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States and overseas, including at— (1) Arlington National Cemetery; (2) veterans cemeteries; and (3) other memorial locations; Whereas the Wreaths Across America project carries out a week-long veteran’s parade between Maine and Virginia, stopping along the way to spread a message about the importance of— (1) remembering the fallen heroes of the United States; (2) honoring those who serve; and (3) teaching the next generation of children about the service and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families to preserve freedoms enjoyed by all in the United States; Whereas, in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID–19 pandemic, approximately 1,750,000 veterans’ remembrance wreaths were delivered to 2,557 locations across the United States and overseas; Whereas, in December 2021, the tradition of escorting tractor-trailers filled with donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery will be continued by— (1) the Patriot Guard Riders; and (2) other patriotic escort units, including— (A) motorcycle units; (B) law enforcement units; and (C) first responder units; Whereas hundreds of thousands of individuals volunteer each December to help lay veterans’ wreaths; Whereas the trucking industry in the United States will continue to support the Wreaths Across America project by providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to more than 2861 locations; Whereas the Senate designated December 19, 2020, as “Wreaths Across America Day”; and Whereas, on December 18, 2021, the Wreaths Across America project will continue the proud legacy of bringing veterans’ wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates December 18, 2021, as National Wreaths Across America Day ; (2) honors— (A) the Wreaths Across America project; (B) patriotic escort units, including— (i) motorcycle units; (ii) law enforcement units; and (iii) first responder units; (C) the trucking industry in the United States; and (D) the volunteers and donors involved in this worthy tradition; and (3) recognizes— (A) the service of veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and (B) the sacrifices that veterans, their family members, and members of the Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, for the United States, a great Nation. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres476ats/xml/BILLS-117sres476ats.xml |
117-sres-477 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 477 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 13, 2021 Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Brown , Mr. Coons , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Young , Ms. Warren , and Mr. Warnock ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of September 2021 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease.
Whereas sickle cell disease (referred to in this preamble as SCD ) is an inherited blood disorder that is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide; Whereas SCD causes the rapid destruction of sickle cells, which results in multiple medical complications, including anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes, restricted blood flow, damaged tissue in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and death; Whereas SCD causes acute and chronic episodes of severe pain; Whereas SCD affects an estimated 100,000 individuals in the United States; Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with SCD each year in the United States, with the disease occurring in approximately 1 in 365 newborn Black or African-American infants and 1 in 16,300 newborn Hispanic-American infants, and can be found in individuals of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Indian origin; Whereas more than 3,000,000 individuals in the United States have the sickle cell trait and 1 in 13 African Americans carries the trait; Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the disease; Whereas the life expectancy of an individual with SCD in the United States is often severely limited; Whereas, in 2020, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan and Blueprint for Action to Address Sickle Cell Disease, which, among other things, cited the need for new innovative therapies as well as the need to address barriers that may impact delivery and access to approved treatments; Whereas, while hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (commonly known as HSCT ) is currently the only cure for SCD and advances in treating the associated complications of SCD have occurred, more research is needed to find widely available treatments and cures to help individuals with SCD; and Whereas September 2021 has been designated as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the United States about SCD, including early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from SCD and conditions related to SCD: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month ; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to hold appropriate programs, events, and activities during Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month to raise public awareness of the sickle cell trait, preventative care programs, treatments, and other patient services for those suffering from SCD, complications from SCD, and conditions related to SCD. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres477ats/xml/BILLS-117sres477ats.xml |
117-sres-478 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 478 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 14, 2021 Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Ms. Ernst , Mr. Marshall , and Mr. Scott of Florida ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration RESOLUTION Amending rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate to increase the voting threshold to invoke cloture on general appropriation bills during periods of high inflation.
1. Short title This resolution may be cited as the Stop Inflationary Spending Resolution . 2. Cloture threshold for general appropriation bills during periods of high inflation Paragraph 2 of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended in the second undesignated subparagraph by inserting , or on a general appropriation bill, or an amendment thereto, amendment between the Houses in relation thereto, conference report thereon, or motion thereon, that is considered during a period during which the increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers with respect to the preceding 12-month period, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is more than 4.0 percent, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting after present and voting . | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres478is/xml/BILLS-117sres478is.xml |
117-sres-479 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 479 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 14, 2021 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Ms. Collins , Mr. Brown , Ms. Cantwell , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Lankford , Ms. Smith , Mr. Warner , Mrs. Feinstein , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Coons , and Mr. Manchin ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month.
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this preamble as the CDC )— (1) 34,200,000 individuals in the United States have diabetes; and (2) an estimated 88,000,000 individuals in the United States who are 18 years of age or older have prediabetes; Whereas diabetes is a serious chronic condition that affects individuals of every age, race, ethnicity, and income level; Whereas the CDC reports that— (1) Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes and develop the disease at much higher rates than the general population of the United States; and (2) an estimated 21.4 percent of individuals with diabetes in the United States have not yet been diagnosed with the disease; Whereas, in the United States, more than 10.5 percent of the population, including 26.8 percent of individuals who are 65 years of age or older, have diabetes; Whereas, of the 18,820,000 veterans in the United States, 1 in 4 are receiving care for diabetes from the Department of Veterans Affairs; Whereas the risk of developing type 2 diabetes at some point in life is 40 percent for adults in the United States; Whereas, according to the American Diabetes Association, the United States spent an estimated $237,000,000,000 on direct medical costs for cases of diagnosed diabetes in 2017, and out-of-pocket costs for insulin have grown significantly in recent years for many patients; Whereas the American Diabetes Association reports that care for people with diagnosed diabetes accounts for 1 in 4 health care dollars spent in the United States; Whereas the cost of health care is estimated to be 2.3 times higher for individuals in the United States with diabetes than those without diabetes; Whereas, as of November 2021, a cure for diabetes does not exist; Whereas there are successful means to reduce the incidence, and delay the onset, of type 2 diabetes; Whereas, with proper management and treatment, individuals with diabetes live healthy and productive lives; and Whereas individuals in the United States celebrate American Diabetes Month in November: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month, including— (A) encouraging individuals in the United States to fight diabetes through increased awareness of prevention and treatment options; and (B) enhancing diabetes education; (2) recognizes the importance of awareness and early detection, including awareness of symptoms and risk factors such as— (A) being— (i) older than 45 years of age; or (ii) overweight; and (B) having— (i) a racial and ethnic background that is disproportionately affected by diabetes; (ii) a low level of physical activity; (iii) high blood pressure; (iv) a family history of diabetes; or (v) a history of diabetes during pregnancy; (3) supports decreasing the prevalence of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes in the United States through research, treatment, and prevention; and (4) recognizes the importance of addressing systemic barriers to health care that— (A) leave many communities at a heightened risk for diabetes; and (B) limit access to health care resources that are needed to effectively prevent the onset, and to manage the condition, of diabetes. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres479ats/xml/BILLS-117sres479ats.xml |
117-sres-480 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 480 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 16, 2021 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Brown , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Graham , Mr. Portman , Ms. Ernst , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Casey , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Shaheen , and Mr. Rubio ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION To support an independent and democratic Ukraine against any further Russian military invasion, and for other purposes.
Whereas, on August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian parliament voted overwhelmingly for independence from the Soviet Union and set December 1, 1991, for a national independence referendum; Whereas, on December 1, 1991, more than 90 percent of Ukrainians voting in the referendum supported independence; Whereas, by December 25, 1991, the United States joined more than 20 countries, including Russia, in recognizing Ukrainian independence; Whereas the newly independent Ukraine, while rich in natural resources and human talent, also inherited endemic corruption, an aging Soviet infrastructure, government mismanagement, and significant economic challenges; Whereas the newly independent Ukraine also inherited one of the world’s largest nuclear weapons arsenals; Whereas, on December 5, 1994, Ukraine joined the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom in signing the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, in which it agreed to remove all nuclear weapons from its territory in exchange for assurance that Russia would respect its sovereignty; Whereas, on February 8, 1994, Ukraine was the first member state of the Commonwealth of Independent States to join the Partnership for Peace program of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and has since been recognized as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner; Whereas, on November 22, 2004, Ukrainians peacefully took to the streets in protest of a fraudulent presidential election, beginning the Orange Revolution and resulting in new free and fair elections; Whereas, on November 21, 2013, peaceful protests began on Independence Square (Maidan) in Kyiv against the decision by then-President Viktor Yanukovych to suspend signing the Ukraine-European Union (EU) Association Agreement and instead pursue closer ties with the Russian Federation; Whereas the Maidan protests quickly drew thousands of people and broadened to become a general demonstration in support of Ukraine’s integration with the European Union and against widespread Yanukovych regime corruption; Whereas, from February 18–20, 2014, an estimated 104 people were killed and 2,500 injured as a result of violent crackdowns by authorities against protesters; Whereas, beginning February 20, 2014, the Russian Federation clandestinely invaded Ukraine, with Russian troops claiming to be Ukrainian separatists, and since then have militarily occupied the regions of Crimea and Donbas; Whereas, on February 22, 2014, and following months of protests, the Ukrainian Parliament voted to remove President Yanukovych and hold early presidential election in May; Whereas, on May 25, 2014, President Petro Poroshenko was elected on a message of strengthening Ukraine's territorial integrity, negotiating with Russia, and strengthening ties with Europe; Whereas, on July 17, 2014, Russian-backed separatists shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine with Russian missiles, killing all 298 people on board; Whereas, on September 5, 2014, Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) signed the Minsk Protocol aimed at ending the conflict, which the Russian Federation continued to violate; Whereas, on February 12, 2015, a new package of measures to end the conflict in Ukraine was signed, known as Minsk II, provisions of which have still not yet been fully implemented; Whereas at least 14,000 Ukrainians have been killed defending their homeland and millions more displaced since the conflict with Russia began; Whereas, on September 1, 2017, the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement came into force; Whereas, on April 21, 2019, President Volodymyr Zelensnky was elected on a platform of fighting corruption and restarting peace talks with Russian-backed separatists; Whereas, on July 16, 2019, the United States Senate unanimously passed S. Res. 74 (116th Congress), marking the fifth anniversary of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity by honoring the bravery, determination, and sacrifice of the people of Ukraine during and since the Revolution, and condemning continued Russian aggression against Ukraine; Whereas, in early and again in late 2021, Russia deployed a massive troop and weapons buildup on the border with Ukraine; Whereas, on December 1, 2021, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that if Russia decides to once again use force against Ukraine, then we have made it clear … during the NATO Foreign Minister meeting in Latvia today that Russia will then have to pay a high price; there will be serious consequences for Russia … And that's a clear message from NATO. ; Whereas, on December 7, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the West would impose strong economic and other measures if Russia invades Ukraine; and Whereas, on December 12, 2021, at a meeting in Liverpool, delegates of the Group of Seven (G7) released a joint statement saying, Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response … We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future. : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) denounces the current Russian military buildup on the Ukraine boarder as provocative, reckless, and contrary to established international norms; (2) reaffirms unwavering United States support for a secure, democratic, and independent Ukraine free to choose its own leaders and future; (3) reaffirms unwavering United States and NATO commitment to support the continuing efforts of the Government of Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity by providing consistent political and diplomatic support and additional lethal and non-lethal security assistance to strengthen the defense capabilities of Ukraine on land and sea and in the air; and (4) calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to abide by commitments agreed to in 2014 and 2015 in the Minsk agreements. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres480is/xml/BILLS-117sres480is.xml |
117-sres-481 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 481 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 16, 2021 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Booker , Mr. Brown , Mr. Casey , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Markey , Mr. Padilla , Ms. Warren , Mr. Luján , and Ms. Duckworth ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources RESOLUTION Urging the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of Roberto Clemente’s place of death near Piñones in Loíza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places.
Whereas Roberto Clemente was a renowned baseball player born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico; Whereas Roberto Clemente started playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in Major League Baseball in 1955, and went on to play for them for 18 seasons, becoming a baseball legend; Whereas Roberto Clemente won the 1960 and 1971 World Series Championships with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 1971 World Series Most Valuable Player Award, the 1966 National League Most Valuable Player Award, 15 All Star selections (1960–1967, 1969–1972), 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1961–1972), 4 National Batting Titles (1961, 1963–1965, 1967, 1969), and hit the only walk-off, inside-the-park grand slam home run in professional baseball history on July 25, 1956; Whereas Roberto Clemente became the first Latin American ballplayer to reach 3,000 career hits on September 30, 1972; Whereas Roberto Clemente enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1958, and served as an infantryman for 6 years until 1964, when he was honorably discharged; Whereas Roberto Clemente embodied the values of a model citizen through his acts of service and humanitarian efforts toward those in need, regardless of their location; Whereas Roberto Clemente was on his way to selflessly provide humanitarian aid to earthquake-ridden Nicaragua when he died; Whereas the plane that Roberto Clemente was on crashed into the ocean shortly after taking off from Isla Verde International Airport/Aeropuerto Internacional de Isla Verde on December 31, 1972; Whereas Roberto Clemente was only 38 years old when he passed away; Whereas Roberto Clemente was the first Puerto Rican inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973; Whereas Buenaventura Boulevard was designated as the Roberto Clemente Memorial Roadway by the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners in 2015; Whereas Stonewall Jackson Middle School was renamed Roberto Clemente Middle School by the Orange County School Board in September 2020; Whereas Stonewall Jackson Road, a mile-long stretch of road off of Semoran Boulevard, was renamed for Roberto Clemente by the Orlando City Council in June 2021; Whereas a portion of Route 21 in Newark was designated as the Roberto Clemente Memorial Highway by the New Jersey Legislature in June 2016; Whereas the Paterson School District, the City of Paterson, and New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation inaugurated the New Roberto Clemente Middle School in April 2005; Whereas the Paterson School District designated an elementary school the Roberto Clemente Elementary School in September 1975; Whereas the Newark Board of Education designated an elementary school the Roberto Clemente Elementary School; Whereas The Roberto Clemente Little League in Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey, is named in his honor; Whereas Roberto Clemente was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Citizens Medal, and the Congressional Gold Medal for his civic and charitable contributions; and Whereas the crash site in the adjacent area to Playa Aviones in the municipality of Loíza, Puerto Rico, was the last place where Roberto Clemente graced this world 49 years ago: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate requests that the Secretary of the Interior recognize the crash site of Roberto Clemente’s airplane and the adjacent land by adding the site to the National Register of Historic Places. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres481is/xml/BILLS-117sres481is.xml |
117-sres-482 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 482 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 16, 2021 Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Murkowski ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the lasting impact of that Act on the State of Alaska and Alaska Native people.
Whereas the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ) (referred to in this preamble as ANCSA ) was signed into law on December 18, 1971, to settle long-standing issues of Alaska Native aboriginal land claims in the State of Alaska (referred to in this preamble as the State ); Whereas the 1970s welcomed a new era of Federal Indian policy, one of economic and self-determination, with the passage of ANCSA; Whereas title to 44,000,000 acres of land and $962,500,000 were transferred to Alaska Native people as a result of the land claims settlement under ANCSA, including— (1) title to property in the clearly defined traditional homelands of Alaska Native people; and (2) money to help compensate for the land Alaska Native people would not receive; Whereas the purpose of the land claims settlement under ANCSA was to ensure the social and economic well-being of Alaska Native people without creating a lengthy wardship under the Federal Government; Whereas ANCSA mandated— (1) the creation of— (A) 12 land-owning and for-profit Regional Corporations covering all of the State; and (B) 1 non-land-owning Regional Corporation for non-residents of the State; and (2) the incorporation of over 200 Village Corporations and Urban Corporations within each region of the State, either as for-profit or nonprofit corporations, with the land, assets, and businesses of those corporations to be owned by Native shareholders; Whereas ANCSA redefined Alaska Native land ownership by conveying Native-owned fee simple title to the newly created Native Corporations and, through those Corporations, to Alaska Native shareholders of each Corporation, rather than using the land ownership model used in the 48 contiguous States of designating reservations held in trust by the Federal Government; Whereas, recognizing the uneven distribution of natural resources in the State among the 12 regions in the State, subsections (i) and (j) of section 7 of ANCSA ( 43 U.S.C. 1606 ) include provisions that reflect the Alaska Native values of sharing and cooperation; Whereas, under section 7 of ANCSA ( 43 U.S.C. 1606 )— (1) 70 percent of the annual revenues of each land-owning Regional Corporation derived from the land of that Regional Corporation are required under subsection (i) of that section to be shared with all other Regional Corporations; and (2) Regional Corporations are then required, under subsection (j) of that section, to share 50 percent of the revenues described in paragraph (1) with— (A) the Village Corporations and Urban Corporations that are located in the same region as the applicable Regional Corporation; and (B) the at-large shareholders of the applicable Regional Corporation; Whereas each Regional Corporation, at times, has received more shared revenue under section 7(i) of ANCSA ( 43 U.S.C. 1606(i) ) than internally produced revenue, demonstrating the importance of incorporating the Alaska Native values of sharing and cooperation into ANCSA; Whereas, under ANCSA during the 50-year period preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, Alaska Native people have managed their land successfully, fostering sustainable businesses and creating employment opportunities for all Alaskans, Native and non-Native, and people across the United States and around the world; Whereas ANCSA has benefitted all Alaskans— (1) through diversifying the economy of the State; and (2) by bringing revenue and expertise back to the State through Native Corporation business ventures in the national and international realms; Whereas ANCSA has been amended by almost every Congress since the enactment of that Act in 1971, with some of the most significant and lasting amendments being enacted in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Amendments of 1987 ( Public Law 100–241 ; 101 Stat. 1788) (commonly known as the 1991 amendments ) (referred to in this preamble as the 1991 amendments ); Whereas among the provisions in the 1991 amendments was an extension of the prohibition on the sale of Native Corporation stock in perpetuity unless a majority of all shareholders of the applicable Native Corporation voted to remove that restriction, which— (1) enabled shares to be held mostly by the Alaska Native people; and (2) allowed Alaska Native people to pass that stock from 1 generation to the next and, as a result, increase the number of Alaska Native shareholders in a Native Corporation; Whereas another provision in the 1991 amendments allowed shareholders of each Native Corporation to vote to include descendants of original shareholders born after the date of enactment of ANCSA to become shareholders regardless of date of birth; Whereas the pioneering work of Alaska Native leaders of the mid-20th century created a lasting legacy of professional, personal, and historic economic success; Whereas Alaska Native people have prospered from their own initiative and innovative approaches to fostering economic development through self-determination; Whereas Alaska Native resiliency, leadership, and relentless work ethic have developed and supported some of the previously most underserved regions in the United States into some of the most thriving, improving life expectancy and health conditions in those very regions; Whereas subsequent to ANCSA ushering in the era of self-determination in Federal Indian policy, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq. ) (referred to in this preamble as the ISDEAA ) was enacted in 1975; Whereas the ISDEAA defined Native Corporations as Indian Tribes for the purposes of that Act; Whereas, because of the ISDEAA, federally recognized Alaska Native Tribes and Native Corporations have worked together to serve as providers for health, housing, and other Tribal services; Whereas, beyond monetary benefits to shareholders, Native Corporations, through the structure and mandates of ANCSA, provide countless additional benefits, including— (1) scholarships; (2) burial and funeral assistance; (3) internships; (4) language revitalization programs; (5) careers; and (6) culture camps; Whereas education has, and continues to be, a key focus for Regional Corporations, which is evidenced by the fact that all 12 land-owning Regional Corporations have— (1) education foundations to help support shareholders and descendants who want to advance their educational endeavors; and (2) as of the date of adoption of this resolution, awarded more than 54,000 individual scholarships; Whereas Alaska Native people hold numerous positions of leadership in the State and beyond, inspiring younger generations of Alaskans; Whereas further improvements to ANCSA must continue in order to fulfill all of the promises of ANCSA and all of the promises made by the Federal Government to Alaska Native people; Whereas the dedication and enthusiasm of the next generations of Alaska Native leaders honors the previous generations of Alaska Native leaders who worked diligently to achieve the most significant Native land settlement in the history of the United States; Whereas, with the adoption of Senate Resolution 351, 112th Congress, agreed to December 17, 2011, the Senate recognized the importance of ANCSA; and Whereas the people of the United States have reason to honor the tremendous educational, social, political, economic, and cultural achievements of Alaska Native people over the past 50 years: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes December 18, 2021, as the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ) (referred to in this resolution as ANCSA ); (2) commemorates the extensive achievements made by Alaska Native people through the implementation of ANCSA, while simultaneously maintaining their culture, traditions, and ways of life, during the 50-year period preceding the date of adoption of this resolution; and (3) celebrates the successes of Alaska Native people during that 50-year period, with optimism for the next 50 years and beyond. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres482is/xml/BILLS-117sres482is.xml |
117-sres-483 | III 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 483 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 18 (legislative day, December 17), 2021 Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Shelby , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Warnock , and Mr. Ossoff ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Remembering the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and commemorating those who lost their lives, and those who were injured, in the line of duty.
Whereas December 6, 2021, the 2-year anniversary of the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola (referred to in this preamble as the terrorist attack ), is a day of commemoration for those who lost their lives, and those who were injured, during the terrorist attack, including— (1) Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson of Enterprise, Alabama; (2) Petty Officer Third Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham of St. Petersburg, Florida; and (3) Petty Officer Third Class Cameron Scott Walters of Richmond Hill, Georgia; Whereas the 3 servicemembers who died in the terrorist attack were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart; Whereas the terrorist who committed the terrorist attack was a Saudi Arabian foreign military student who had been radicalized and established contacts with Al Qaeda operatives prior to attending flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola; Whereas Naval Air Station Pensacola security forces and Escambia County, Florida, law enforcement officers took decisive action to end the terrorist attack and have rightly earned the praises and awards bestowed upon them; Whereas 2 civilians were awarded the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Medal for Valor for their heroic actions during the terrorist attack; Whereas 8 individuals were awarded the Purple Heart, or the law enforcement equivalent, for injuries sustained during the terrorist attack; Whereas 9 military personnel were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their heroic actions during the terrorist attack; Whereas 8 military personnel were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their heroic actions during the terrorist attack; Whereas 8 law enforcement officers were awarded the Medal of Valor for their actions taken during the terrorist attack; and Whereas December 6, 2021, marks 2 years since the lives of 3 military personnel were tragically cut short by the egregious act of terrorism at Naval Air Station Pensacola: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) condemns the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola (referred to in this resolution as the terrorist attack ); (2) commemorates in sorrow the servicemembers and civilians who lost their lives, or who were injured, and the harm caused to the surrounding community, as a result of the terrorist attack; (3) remembers Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Petty Officer Third Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham, and Petty Officer Third Class Cameron Scott Walters, who were killed in the terrorist attack; (4) expresses gratitude for the heroic actions that the civilians, uniformed personnel, and law enforcement performed during and in the aftermath of the terrorist attack; (5) lauds the decision to give medals and awards to the law enforcement officers, uniformed servicemembers, and civilians who responded heroically on the morning of December 6, 2019; and (6) commends the efforts undertaken by the Department of Defense to enhance security at military installations to ensure that the tragedy represented by the terrorist attack is never repeated. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres483ats/xml/BILLS-117sres483ats.xml |
117-sres-484 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 484 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 5, 2022 Mr. Warnock (for himself, Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Schumer , Mr. McConnell , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Booker , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Braun , Mr. Brown , Mr. Burr , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Mr. Cassidy , Ms. Collins , Mr. Coons , Mr. Cornyn , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Daines , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Fischer , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Graham , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Hawley , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hickenlooper , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Leahy , Mr. Lee , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Moran , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Paul , Mr. Peters , Mr. Portman , Mr. Reed , Mr. Risch , Mr. Romney , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Sasse , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Shelby , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Smith , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Tester , Mr. Thune , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Toomey , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Young ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the life and legacy of late Senator John “Johnny” Hardy Isakson.
Whereas John Johnny Hardy Isakson (referred to in this preamble as Johnny Isakson ) was born on December 28, 1944, to Edwin Andrew Isakson and Julia (Baker) Isakson in Atlanta, Georgia; Whereas Johnny Isakson served in the Georgia Air National Guard between 1966 and 1972, leaving service as a staff sergeant; Whereas, in 1966, Johnny Isakson earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia before starting a successful career in real estate; Whereas, in 1979, Johnny Isakson became president of Northside Realty, a post he held for 22 years, during which Northside Realty became the biggest independent real estate company in the Southeast and one of the largest real estate companies in the United States; Whereas, in 1976, Johnny Isakson was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served until 1990 and served as Republican Minority Leader between 1983 and 1990; Whereas, in 1993, Johnny Isakson was elected to the Georgia Senate, where he served until 1996; Whereas, in 1997, Johnny Isakson was appointed chairman of the Georgia Board of Education; Whereas, in 1999, Johnny Isakson was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served on the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and worked on legislation, including the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 ( Public Law 107–110 ; 115 Stat. 1425); Whereas, in 2004, Johnny Isakson was elected to the Senate for the first time, becoming the only Georgian to have ever been elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, the Georgia Senate, and both Houses of Congress; Whereas Johnny Isakson served the people of Georgia honorably in the Senate for 15 years, including service on the Committee on Finance of the Senate , the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate , and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and service as the Chair of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate ; Whereas, during his tenure as a Senator, Johnny Isakson developed a reputation as a bipartisan leader who sought common ground and successfully advanced pension legislation to save jobs in Georgia, legislation to invest in the Port of Savannah, legislation to allocate disaster relief funding in Georgia, and bipartisan legislation to overhaul the health care system for veterans of the United States; Whereas, prior to his resignation from the Senate in 2019 due to health reasons, Johnny Isakson strongly advocated for bipartisan compromise and cooperation in the Senate, hosting the annual bipartisan barbecue lunch for colleagues on both sides of the aisle and once stating, I’m big on bipartisanship. Whether you’re Black or white, Republican or Democrat, whatever it might be, find a way to find common ground. Give it a chance to work…Bipartisanship is a state of being. ; Whereas after stepping down from the Senate, Johnny Isakson launched the Isakson Initiative to raise money for research into Parkinson’s disease and other neurocognitive diseases; Whereas Johnny Isakson was beloved and respected by his colleagues and once described the only division he saw as between friends and future friends ; Whereas, on December 19, 2021, at the age of 76, Johnny Isakson died, leaving behind his wife Dianne Davison, his 3 loving children (John, Julie, and Kevin), 9 grandchildren, and a legacy of steadfast love for and service to the people of Georgia: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) honors the life and legacy of the late Senator John Johnny Hardy Isakson (referred to in this resolution as Johnny Isakson ) for his— (A) accomplishments as a patriot and an example for future generations of leaders; (B) unwavering dedication to Georgia as a Senator, a member of the House of Representatives, and a public servant; and (C) steadfast commitment to legislating with principle, compassion, and a heart for compromise and cooperation; (2) proclaims that Johnny Isakson represented the best of Georgia and honorably embodied friendship and decency during his more than 40 years of public service to Georgia and to the United States; (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate— (A) communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives; and (B) transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of Johnny Isakson; and (4) when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Johnny Isakson. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres484ats/xml/BILLS-117sres484ats.xml |
117-sres-485 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 485 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 6, 2022 Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself, Ms. Rosen , Mr. Schumer , Mr. McConnell , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Booker , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Braun , Mr. Brown , Mr. Burr , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Mr. Cassidy , Ms. Collins , Mr. Coons , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Daines , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Fischer , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Graham , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Hawley , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hickenlooper , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Leahy , Mr. Lee , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Moran , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Paul , Mr. Peters , Mr. Portman , Mr. Reed , Mr. Risch , Mr. Romney , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Sasse , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Shelby , Ms. Sinema , Ms. Smith , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Tester , Mr. Thune , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Toomey , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Mr. Warnock , Ms. Warren , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Young ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Relating to the death of the Honorable Harry Mason Reid, Jr., former Senator for the State of Nevada.
Whereas Harry Reid, born in Searchlight, Nevada, overcame abject poverty and rose to become one of the most influential and revered leaders in the United States; Whereas Harry Reid hitchhiked 40 miles each way to attend high school, subsequently attended Utah State University, and later graduated from law school at George Washington University, all while supporting his studies with a career in amateur boxing; Whereas, in 1959, Harry Reid married Landra Gould, to whom he was married for an incredible 62 years, and with whom he had 5 children (named Lana, Rory, Leif, Josh, and Key), 19 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild; Whereas, while attending law school, Harry Reid worked nights as an officer for the United States Capitol Police to support his family; Whereas, in 1968, Harry Reid began his decades of public service on behalf of the people of Nevada, including by serving for— (1) 1 term as a member of the Nevada Assembly; (2) 1 term as Lieutenant Governor, the youngest in Nevada history; (3) 4 years as Chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission; (4) 2 terms as Member of the House of Representatives for Nevada’s First District; and (5) 5 terms as a Senator for Nevada, including 12 years as Democratic Leader, 8 of which came as Majority Leader of the Senate; Whereas Harry Reid, as Chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission, displayed his trademark determination and grit as he took on organized crime’s influence in Las Vegas and helped grow the city into the world-class tourism destination it is today; Whereas, as a public servant, including as a powerful Senator for the State of Nevada, Harry Reid championed— (1) conservation of Nevada’s natural treasures, including establishing Nevada’s first national park, Great Basin National Park; (2) measures to address climate change; (3) protection of good-paying union jobs in the hospitality, construction, clean energy, service, and mining sectors; (4) economic opportunity for all people of the United States and recovery from the Great Recession; (5) access to the American Dream for all people of the United States, including blue-collar workers, hard-working immigrant families, and Dreamers; (6) protection of Social Security benefits for all people of the United States; and (7) access to high-quality health care for all people of the United States; Whereas Harry Reid displayed deft legislative acumen, leadership, and political skill throughout his time in public office, including a dedication to working across the aisle to achieve results in a bipartisan fashion; Whereas Harry Reid placed the interests of his constituents in Nevada first and fought for them relentlessly, serving as a voice for all hard-working Nevadans; Whereas Harry Reid recognized that Nevada’s diversity mirrored the diversity of the United States and was instrumental in giving the State of Nevada a deciding role in choosing both the Democratic and Republican party nominees for President; Whereas Harry Reid’s advocacy in Congress blocked efforts to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, a continuing victory for Nevadans; Whereas Harry Reid fought for access to affordable health care for Nevadans and all people of the United States, including by leading the way to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ; 124 Stat. 119) and comprehensive health care reform legislation; Whereas Harry Reid’s dedication to fighting for Nevada also ensured that the State received the Federal funding it deserved to support its infrastructure and growing economy; Whereas Harry Reid served throughout his career with determination, loyalty, diligence, compassion, an incredible devotion to his faith, and a ceaseless fighting spirit for which he became known; Whereas Clark County, Nevada honored Harry Reid for his lifetime of contributions to the people of Nevada by renaming its main airport the Harry Reid International Airport; and Whereas Harry Reid will be remembered as a great American and a great Nevadan who will be deeply missed: Now, therefore, be it
That— (1) the Senate— (A) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Harry Mason Reid, Jr., former Senator for the State of Nevada and Majority Leader of the Senate; (B) extends heartfelt sympathy to Senator Reid’s family and all those who knew and loved him; and (C) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate— (i) communicate this resolution to the House of Representatives; and (ii) transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the family of the Honorable Harry Reid; and (2) when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Harry Reid. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres485ats/xml/BILLS-117sres485ats.xml |
117-sres-486 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 486 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 10, 2022 Mr. Braun (for himself, Mr. Murphy , Mr. Young , Mr. Rubio , and Mrs. Capito ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Day on December 14, 2021.
Whereas, each December, the Senate recognizes the positive contributions of interscholastic athletic administrators; Whereas the position of school athletic administrator is recognized as a profession, which, like other academic professions, benefits greatly from continued education and certification; Whereas school athletic programs develop young people physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally by the life lessons learned through participation and competition; Whereas interscholastic athletic participation is an integral part of a student’s educational experience and enhances the learning and maturation process; Whereas athletic administrators are committed to developing and maintaining comprehensive education-based athletic programs which seek the highest development of all student athletes; Whereas athletic administrators fulfill professional responsibilities with integrity, commitment to equality, industriousness to long hours, and fairness; Whereas athletic administrators preserve, enhance, and promote the educational values of athletics in our schools through professional growth in the areas of education, leadership, and service; Whereas athletic administrators embody high standards of ethics, sportsmanship, and personal conduct and encourage coaching staffs, student athletes, and community members to commit to these high standards as well; and Whereas the athletic programs run by these administrators have impacts that extend well beyond the playing field, athletic venues, and even the school: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the annual recognition of Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Day on December 14, 2021; (2) commends athletic administrators for their commitment and leadership provided to student athletes at the secondary school level; and (3) commends the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association as the leading organization that prepares those who lead secondary school athletics throughout the country, providing continuous learning, compassion, and preparation within the profession. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres486ats/xml/BILLS-117sres486ats.xml |
117-sres-487 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 487 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12 (legislative day, January 10), 2022 Ms. Baldwin (for herself and Mr. Johnson ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 20, 2022 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Congratulating the University of Wisconsin Badgers on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Whereas, on December 18, 2021, the University of Wisconsin Badgers won the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the NCAA ) Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship and finished the season with an impressive record of 31 wins and 3 losses; Whereas the University of Wisconsin women’s volleyball team defeated the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers in a thrilling 5-set match to win the program’s first ever national championship; Whereas the following players should be congratulated for their hard work and dedication in representing the University of Wisconsin with dignity: Izzy Ashburn, Lauren Barnes, Joslyn Boyer, Giorgia Civita, Jade Demps, Liz Gregorski, MJ Hammill, Danielle Hart, Sydney Hilley, Lauren Jardine, Grace Loberg, Anna MacDonald, Julia Orzol, Sydney Reed, Dana Rettke, Devyn Robinson, Anna Smrek, and Julia Wohlert; Whereas the Badgers were led by an outstanding coaching and support staff, including Kelly Sheffield, Brittany Dildine, Gary White, Jessica Williams, Annemarie Hickey, Mackenzie Long, Kristen Walker, Kevin Schultz, Katie Smith, Diane Nordstrom, and Bianca Miceli; Whereas the championship point was scored by senior middle blocker Dana Rettke, the 2021 National Player of the Year and the only 5-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (referred to in this preamble as the AVCA ) First-Team All-American in NCAA Volleyball history; Whereas freshman opposite hitter Anna Smrek was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA National Championship, while Dana Rettke and Sydney Hilley were also named to the NCAA National Championship All-Tournament Team; Whereas senior setter Sydney Hilley was also selected as the 2021 Senior CLASS Award recipient as the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women’s volleyball; Whereas Assistant Coach Brittany Dildine was named the AVCA Division I National Assistant Coach of the Year; Whereas the University of Wisconsin women’s volleyball team— (1) captured the 2021 Big Ten conference championship for the third consecutive season; (2) featured 3 players who earned AVCA All-American honors at the end of the season, Dana Rettke, Sydney Hilley, and Lauren Barnes; and (3) has had a history of players, past and present, who also represent the University of Wisconsin on the international stage; Whereas the players and staff persevered through the challenges presented by the COVID–19 pandemic; and Whereas the Badger women’s volleyball team has brought great pride and honor to the University of Wisconsin and its alumni, loyal fans, and the State of Wisconsin: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the University of Wisconsin Badgers on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship; (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, and staff who contributed to this championship season; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, Rebecca Blank; (B) the Athletic Director of the University of Wisconsin, Chris McIntosh; and (C) the Head Coach of the University of Wisconsin volleyball team, Kelly Sheffield. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres487ats/xml/BILLS-117sres487ats.xml |
117-sres-488 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 488 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12 (legislative day, January 10), 2022 Ms. Baldwin (for herself and Mr. Johnson ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 20, 2022 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Congratulating the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Whereas, on November 20, 2021, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds won the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship and finished the season with an impressive record of 35 wins and 3 losses; Whereas the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s volleyball team defeated the Calvin University Knights in 3 sets to win the program’s first ever national championship; Whereas Ava Aldag, Makenzie Bachmann, Kendra Baierl, Arianna Barrett, Sophia Brown, Sheridan Dettmann, Hannah Flottmeyer, Sarah Kuchcik, Emma Macken, Libby Macken, Charlie Nelson, Clara Olson, Kelly Page, Olivia Rooney, Maren Saunders, Taylor Scalia, Erika Stensland, Victoria Van Dan, Abby Volk, and Jordan Witzel worked hard, showed great dedication, and represented the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with dignity; Whereas the coaching and support staff of the Blugolds, Kim Wudi, Alex Berger, Jodi Risen, Katrina Raskie, Dylan Graber, Robin Baker, Nick Hoven, Rachel Delanois, and Erin Sparks, guided the team throughout the season; Whereas Assistant Coach Jodi Risen was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Assistant Coach of the Year; Whereas the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s volleyball team— (1) also captured the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships; and (2) featured 3 players who earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honors at the end of the season, specifically— (A) Kendra Baierl; (B) Charlie Nelson; and (C) Arianna Barrett; Whereas the players and staff of the Blugold women's volleyball team persevered through the challenges presented by the COVID–19 pandemic; and Whereas the Blugold women’s volleyball team has brought great pride and honor to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and its alumni, loyal fans, and the State of Wisconsin: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship; (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, and staff who contributed to this championship season; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, James C. Schmidt; (B) the Athletic Director of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Dan Schumacher; and (C) the Head Coach of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's volleyball team, Kim Wudi. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres488ats/xml/BILLS-117sres488ats.xml |
117-sres-489 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 489 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12 (legislative day, January 10), 2022 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Mr. Braun , and Mr. Rubio ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commending the actions of Cuban human rights and democracy activist José Daniel Ferrer Garcia, and all pro-democracy and human rights activists, in demanding fundamental civil liberties in Cuba and speaking out against Cuba’s brutal, totalitarian Communist regime.
Whereas on July 11, 2021, protestors in more than 40 cities marched in the streets of Cuba to exercise their fundamental right to peacefully assemble and express their opposition to the Cuban regime, resulting in the largest anti-government demonstration on the island in decades; Whereas the Cuban protestors, in a clear message— (1) called for an end to communism, censorship, and oppression in Cuba; and (2) demanded basic human rights and their God-given freedom; Whereas during the July 2021 protests, in a crude and savage effort to silence the Cuban people, the Communist party— (1) deployed a wave of terror throughout Cuba by unleashing its secret police and military forces on the peaceful protestors; (2) harassed and threatened men, women, and children, some of whom were in their homes; (3) abducted and tortured civil society leaders; and (4) detained more than 1,300 Cubans, according to media reports; Whereas Felix Navarro Rodriguez, a renowned pro-democracy activist who was arrested during the Black Spring of 2003, is the President of the Pedro Luis Boitel Abraham Democracy Party, and is a member of the Executive Secretariat of the Democratic Action Unity Table (MUAD), was arrested, then charged with the alleged crime of attack and public disorder , after merely appearing at a police unit in Cuba to inquire about the status of members of his group who were detained during the July 11 protest; Whereas in August 2021, Felix Navarro Rodriguez, in protest of his unlawful arrest, the terrible conditions in which he was being held and the cruelty he suffered in prison, went on a hunger strike for 30 days, remains isolated, is in a delicate state of health, and is restricted from communicating with his family; Whereas José Daniel Ferrer Garcia, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), is a Cuban human rights and democracy activist, who has worked incessantly to promote fundamental civil liberties for the Cuban people; Whereas José Daniel Ferrer Garcia, who was born in Santiago de Cuba on July 29, 1970, has dedicated most of his adult life in peaceful protest against Cuba’s brutal and totalitarian Communist dictatorship to ensure that Cubans are allowed to have a voice in matters concerning their own country; Whereas José Daniel Ferrer Garcia was among the hundreds of activists who were unlawfully detained by the Cuban regime and has been unjustly imprisoned in isolation for nearly 180 days, where he has been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the brutal Communist Cuban regime; Whereas according to José Daniel Ferrer Garcia’s family, his health is dire, he is suffering from severe headaches, mouth bleeding, malnutrition, bouts of coughing, and the inability to sleep, all of which was caused by the cruel torture and inhumane treatment he received from the Cuban regime; Whereas a host of other pro-democracy activists have been imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, including Ciro Alexis Casanovas Pérez, Loreto Hernández García and wife, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Didier Eduardo Almagro Toledo, Nidia Bienes Paseiro, Demis Valdés Sarduy, Misael Díaz Paseiro, Arianna López Roque, twin sisters Lisdani Rodríguez Isaac and Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac, and Ivan Hernandez Carrillo; Whereas during the week of Christmas 2021, many of these peaceful demonstrators were convicted on charges of sedition and sentenced to decades in prison just for demanding basic human rights; and Whereas the totalitarian regime is terrified of brave and courageous leaders who stand resolute in fighting for a free Cuba, and will persecute, kidnap, torture, or kill anyone who stands up against their tyranny: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) condemns the repression of José Daniel Ferrer Garcia and all brave Cuban activists, and demands their immediate and unconditional release from prison; (2) condemns the brutal torture and inhumane treatment of José Daniel Ferrer Garcia by the Cuban regime and calls for an immediate humanitarian medical visit by an independent human rights organization to him and to all political prisoners who have been unjustly and illegally detained by the Cuban regime since July 11, 2021; (3) condemns Cuba’s brutal totalitarian Communist dictatorship and demands an end to the suffering of the Cuban people and the impunity of the Cuban regime’s human rights abusers; (4) calls for the international community to stand with the Cuban people and against Cuba’s totalitarian Communist regime for infringing on the freedom of thought, will, expression, assembly, and prosperity of the Cuban people; and (5) commends the courage of the pro-democracy movement and all freedom activists in Cuba for risking everything to bring freedom to the Cuban people. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres489ats/xml/BILLS-117sres489ats.xml |
117-sres-490 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 490 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13 (legislative day, January 10), 2022 Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Schumer , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Casey , Mr. Booker , Mr. Reed , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Luján , Mr. Cardin , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Coons , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Warnock , Mr. Menendez , Ms. Cantwell , Mr. Sanders , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. King , Ms. Warren , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Ossoff , Ms. Hirono , Ms. Smith , Mr. Warner , Mr. Leahy , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Carper , Mrs. Gillibrand , Ms. Stabenow , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Murphy , Ms. Rosen , Ms. Sinema , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Tester , Mr. Peters , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Hickenlooper , Ms. Hassan , and Mr. Manchin ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the essential work of United States Capitol personnel on the anniversary of the insurrectionist attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Whereas Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well…No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance. ; Whereas the United States Capitol (referred to in this preamble as the Capitol ) is the people’s house; Whereas January 6, 2022, is the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrectionist attack on the Capitol during a joint session of Congress to receive the votes of the electoral college; Whereas, on January 6, 2021, violent insurrectionists, carrying Confederate flags and symbols, ransacked the Capitol, and Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff—the majority of whom are African American, Latino, or other people of color—were there to pick up the pieces and deserve eternal gratitude for their work; Whereas, on March 1, 2021, the Senior Senator from Minnesota introduced a resolution recognizing Capitol personnel and members of the press corps and honoring the incredible and diligent work done by Capitol personnel to care for and repair the Capitol in the wake of the January 6 attack; Whereas, in the days following the January 6 attack, the Senate rightly recognized Eugene Goodman and the many officers of the United States Capitol Police who deserve the deep gratitude of the United States for putting their lives on the line to protect the Capitol and the democratic process of the United States; Whereas Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff deserve the distinct honor and gratitude of the United States, as they also put their lives on the line serving the republic on January 6, 2021, and over the past year, during the COVID–19 pandemic; Whereas Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff and other essential workers, including Restaurant Associates and Sodexo staff, come to work each day and do their jobs with skill, dedication, and dignity; Whereas the work of such staff is too often overlooked, but remains essential to the functioning of the Government; Whereas Capitol personnel of all races and creeds who have shown up for work during the pandemic, while many individuals in the Capitol have not taken COVID–19 seriously, deserve proper equipment and safe working conditions ; Whereas Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff were at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, doing their jobs when violent insurrectionists stormed the building, barging into the Senate Chamber; Whereas the largely African American and Latino custodial staff and other custodial staff of color were left to restore dignity and respect to the Capitol, the Office of the Senate Parliamentarian, and many other rooms and hallways throughout the Capitol; Whereas the work of the Capitol custodial staff allowed Members of the Senate to return to the Senate Chamber on January 6, 2021, to continue to certify the electoral votes and secure the democracy of the United States; Whereas many individuals in the United States were so moved by the actions of the Capitol custodial staff on January 6, 2021, that such individuals wrote thank you notes to the staff in the days following the attack; Whereas the actions of the Capitol custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff on the night of the January 6, 2021, attack and in the days and weeks following are the epitome of service, love of country, and the dignity of work; and Whereas many Capitol personnel are represented by Local Numbers 626, 658, 2910, and 2477 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 23 of UNITE HERE, and the United States Capitol Police Labor Committee which advocate for members in the workplace: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes the strength and commitment of the personnel of the United States Capitol who bring skill and dedication to their work every day and who worked through the night on January 6, 2021, and in the days following to restore dignity to the United States Capitol and to ensure the democracy of the United States continues to function; (2) expresses gratitude for the personnel of the United States Capitol and the United States Capitol Police for their bravery and service to the United States; and (3) reaffirms its dedication to strengthening the rights of the personnel of the United States Capitol and the United States Capitol Police and to providing support and resources to ensure their health, well-being, safety, and protection from further attacks, including higher pay, collective bargaining rights, paid sick and vacation leave, and comprehensive health insurance with mental health resources. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres490ats/xml/BILLS-117sres490ats.xml |
117-sres-491 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 491 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13 (legislative day, January 10), 2022 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Grassley , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Crapo , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Durbin , and Mrs. Blackburn ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2022 as National Stalking Awareness Month .
Whereas approximately 1 in 6 women in the United States, at some point during her lifetime, has experienced stalking victimization, causing her to feel very fearful or believe that she or someone close to her would be harmed or killed; Whereas it is estimated that, each year, between 6,000,000 and 7,500,000 individuals in the United States report that they have been victims of stalking; Whereas more than 85 percent of victims of stalking report that they have been stalked by someone they know; Whereas nearly 70 percent of intimate partner stalking victims are threatened with physical harm by stalkers; Whereas stalking is a risk factor for intimate partner homicide; Whereas 3 in 4 female victims of intimate partner homicides were stalked during the year preceding the homicide by their killers; Whereas 11 percent of victims of stalking report having been stalked for more than 5 years; Whereas two-thirds of stalkers pursue their victims at least once a week; Whereas many victims of stalking are forced to take drastic measures to protect themselves, including relocating, changing jobs, or obtaining protection orders; Whereas the prevalence of anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression is much higher among victims of stalking than the general population; Whereas many victims of stalking do not report stalking to the police or contact a victim service provider, shelter, or hotline; Whereas stalking is a crime under Federal law, the laws of all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice; Whereas stalking affects victims of every race, age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, and economic status; Whereas national organizations, local victim service organizations, campuses, prosecutor’s offices, and police departments stand ready to assist victims of stalking and are working diligently to develop effective and innovative responses to stalking, including online stalking; Whereas there is a need to improve the response of the criminal justice system to stalking through more aggressive investigation and prosecution; Whereas there is a need for an increase in the availability of victim services across the United States, and those services must include programs tailored to meet the needs of victims of stalking; Whereas individuals between 18 and 24 years old experience the highest rates of stalking victimization, and a majority of stalking victims report their victimization first occurred before the age of 25; Whereas up to 75 percent of women in college who experience behavior relating to stalking also experience other forms of victimization, including sexual or physical victimization; Whereas college students with disabilities are twice as likely as college students without disabilities to experience stalking; Whereas there is a need for an effective response to stalking on each campus; Whereas more than twice as many victims of stalking are stalked using technology, such as phone calls, text messages, social media platforms, internet posts, emails, electronic tracking, as victims of stalking who are stalked without the use of technology; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has heightened the risk of online stalking and harassment, particularly among school-aged individuals; Whereas victim service organizations and law enforcement entities have swiftly adapted to the COVID–19 pandemic in order to continue to serve victims of stalking; Whereas victim service providers report an increase in online stalking and harassment, particularly among school-aged individuals; and Whereas the Senate finds that National Stalking Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the people of the United States about stalking: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates January 2022 as National Stalking Awareness Month ; (2) applauds the efforts of service providers for victims of stalking, police, prosecutors, national and community organizations, campuses, and private sector supporters to promote awareness of stalking; (3) encourages policymakers, criminal justice officials, victim service and human service agencies, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations to increase awareness of stalking and continue to support the availability of services for victims of stalking; and (4) urges national and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media to promote awareness of the crime of stalking through National Stalking Awareness Month . | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres491ats/xml/BILLS-117sres491ats.xml |
117-sres-492 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 492 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 19 (legislative day, January 18), 2022 Mr. Booker (for himself and Mr. Menendez ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating January 23, 2022, as Maternal Health Awareness Day .
Whereas, each year in the United States, approximately 700 individuals die as a result of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth; Whereas the pregnancy-related mortality ratio, defined as the number of pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births, more than doubled in the United States between 1987 and 2017; Whereas the United States is one of the only Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries in which the maternal mortality rate has increased over the last several decades; Whereas, of all pregnancy-related deaths in the United States between 2011 and 2016— (1) nearly 32 percent occurred during pregnancy; (2) approximately 35 percent occurred during childbirth or the week after childbirth; and (3) 33 percent occurred between 1 week and 1 year postpartum; Whereas more than 60 percent of maternal deaths in the United States are preventable; Whereas, each year, more than 50,000 individuals in the United States suffer from a near miss or severe maternal morbidity, which includes potentially life-threatening complications that arise from labor and childbirth; Whereas approximately 17 percent of individuals who give birth in a hospital in the United States report experiencing 1 or more types of mistreatment, such as— (1) loss of autonomy; (2) being shouted at, scolded, or threatened; or (3) being ignored or refused or receiving no response to requests for help; Whereas certain social determinants of health, including bias and racism, have a negative impact on maternal health outcomes; Whereas significant disparities in maternal health outcomes exist in the United States, including that— (1) Black individuals are more than 3 times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause as are White individuals; (2) American Indian and Alaska Native individuals are more than twice as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause as are White individuals; (3) Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native individuals with at least some college education are more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than are individuals of all other racial and ethnic backgrounds with less than a high school diploma; (4) Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native individuals are about twice as likely to suffer from severe maternal morbidity as are White individuals; (5) individuals who live in rural areas have a greater likelihood of severe maternal morbidity and mortality, compared to individuals who live in urban areas; (6) less than ½ of rural counties have a hospital with obstetric services; (7) counties with more Black and Hispanic residents and lower median incomes are less likely to have access to hospital obstetric services; (8) more than 50 percent of individuals who live in a rural area must travel more than 30 minutes to access hospital obstetric services, compared to 7 percent of individuals who live in urban areas; and (9) American Indian and Alaska Native individuals living in rural communities are twice as likely as their White counterparts to report receiving late or no prenatal care; Whereas pregnant individuals may be at increased risk for severe outcomes associated with COVID–19, as— (1) pregnant individuals with symptomatic COVID–19 are more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit, receive invasive ventilation, and receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (commonly known as ECMO ) treatment, compared to nonpregnant individuals with symptomatic COVID–19; (2) pregnant individuals with symptomatic COVID–19 are at a 70-percent increased risk for death, compared to nonpregnant individuals with symptomatic COVID–19; and (3) pregnant individuals with COVID–19 are at risk for pre-term delivery and stillbirth; Whereas 49 States have designated committees to review maternal deaths; Whereas State and local maternal mortality review committees are positioned to comprehensively assess maternal deaths and identify opportunities for prevention; Whereas 43 States are participating in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, which promotes consistent and safe maternity care to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality; Whereas community-based maternal health care models, including midwifery childbirth services, doula support services, community and perinatal health worker services, and group prenatal care, in collaboration with culturally competent physician care, show great promise in improving maternal health outcomes and reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes; Whereas many organizations have implemented initiatives to educate patients and providers about— (1) all causes of, contributing factors to, and disparities in maternal mortality; (2) the prevention of pregnancy-related deaths; and (3) the importance of listening to and empowering all people to report pregnancy-related medical issues; and Whereas several States, communities, and organizations recognize January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day to raise awareness about maternal health and promote maternal safety: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates January 23, 2022, as Maternal Health Awareness Day ; (2) supports the goals and ideals of Maternal Health Awareness Day, including— (A) raising public awareness about maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, and disparities in maternal health outcomes; and (B) encouraging the Federal Government, States, territories, Tribes, local communities, public health organizations, physicians, health care providers, and others to take action to reduce adverse maternal health outcomes and improve maternal safety; (3) promotes initiatives— (A) to address and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes; and (B) to ensure respectful and equitable maternity care practices; (4) honors those who have passed away as a result of pregnancy-related causes; and (5) supports and recognizes the need for further investments in efforts to improve maternal health, eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes, and promote respectful and equitable maternity care practices. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres492is/xml/BILLS-117sres492is.xml |
117-sres-493 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 493 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 19 (legislative day, January 18), 2022 Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Cramer , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Braun , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Daines , and Mr. Wicker ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Recognizing the necessity of school choice as a tool to empower all parents with the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children and to combat destructive ideologies like Critical Race Theory promoted by many public schools.
Whereas the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides every American with equal protection under the law; Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects Americans against compelled speech; Whereas the idea that any race, ethnicity, color, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior should not be forced into any required curriculum; Whereas teaching students that they are guilty or victimized based on the color of their skin is inherently discriminatory and anti-American; Whereas parents should have the ability to choose a school for their child based on their child’s individual needs, academic goals, and personal and religious beliefs; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic caused schools across the country to close for a significant amount of time, creating a loss in learning progress and social and emotional skills for many students; Whereas COVID–19-related school closures and policy changes should ensure that the individualized educational plans for students with special needs and disabilities are met; Whereas parents are seeking more options for their child’s schooling due to learning loss, mask mandates, and COVID–19 vaccine mandates that many States and schools are imposing; Whereas school choice is more important than ever to ensure that children can attend the school that works best for them and in light of the threats imposed by Critical Race Theory and overreaching mandates regarding COVID–19; Whereas it is documented that certain school boards are actively silencing the voices of concerned parents and impeding their ability to have a say in their children’s education; and Whereas Attorney General Merrick Garland has abused his office by directing Federal law enforcement to engage in local issues, thus threatening legitimately concerned parents away from advocating for their children’s right to a quality and unbiased education: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes and promotes the importance of parental involvement in their child’s education; and (2) recognizes the necessity of school choice as a tool to empower all parents with the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children and to reject the destructive ideologies promoted by many public schools, such as Critical Race Theory. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres493is/xml/BILLS-117sres493is.xml |
117-sres-494 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 494 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2022 Mr. Braun (for himself, Mr. Daines , Mr. Inhofe , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Hagerty , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Hawley , and Mr. Rounds ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Memorializing the unborn by lowering the United States flag to half-staff on the 22nd day of January each year.
Whereas, on January 22, 1973, the majority of the members of the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that abortion was a right secured by the Constitution; and Whereas, since that fateful day, over 60,000,000 unborn children have perished: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the recognition of the Day of Tears in the United States on the 22nd day of January each year; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to lower their flags to half-staff to mourn and honor the innocents who have lost their lives to abortion. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres494is/xml/BILLS-117sres494is.xml |
117-sres-495 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 495 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2022 Mr. Lankford (for himself and Mr. Rubio ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation RESOLUTION Urging the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in response to the refusal of the People’s Republic of China to end its egregious human rights abuses, including genocide, forced labor, and crimes against humanity.
Whereas the Olympic Games should never be held in a country whose government is actively committing genocide, forced labor, and crimes against humanity; Whereas the ongoing crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region include— (1) the arbitrary imprisonment and other types of severe deprivation of physical liberty of more than 1,800,000 civilians; (2) forced sterilization; (3) forced abortion; (4) infanticide; (5) torture; (6) forced labor; and (7) restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement; Whereas the Chinese Communist Party is committing ongoing genocide as a direct attempt to forcibly assimilate , or eventually eliminate, vulnerable ethnic and religious groups; Whereas, on December 9, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, done at Paris December 9, 1948 (referred to in this preamble as the Genocide Convention ), as a commitment of never again in response to the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity committed in the first half of the 20th century; Whereas, on November 5, 1988, the United States ratified the Genocide Convention with the understanding that the Genocide Convention declares that all state parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish ; Whereas, on January 19, 2021, former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo determined that the Chinese Communist Party has committed genocide and crimes against humanity, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed agreement with that determination; Whereas, as of January 2022, 152 countries, including the People’s Republic of China, have ratified or acceded to the Genocide Convention, and each such country has its own national Olympic committee and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee; Whereas the International Olympic Committee should always take human rights into account in making decisions, especially in choosing a host country for the Olympic Games; Whereas in March 2020, human rights expert Rachel Davis and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights HRH Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein submitted to the International Olympic Committee a report containing human rights recommendations; Whereas, on December 2, 2020, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would incorporate human rights standards into the Operational Requirements of the Host City Contract for the Olympic Games 2024 and beyond , which does not apply to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games; Whereas in their report, Rachel Davis and Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein— (1) note that the human rights impacts that could be connected to the [2022 Beijing Winter Olympic] Games are severe—as our consultations with expert civil society stakeholders also confirmed—and addressing them remains challenging ; and (2) urge the International Olympic Committee to consider strengthening [human rights] due diligence across its operations [before 2024] and advancing the agreed strategic approach to engaging with Beijing 2022 on human rights, with support from the top levels of the organization and informed by the [International Olympic Committee's] own consultations with expert stakeholders ; Whereas there are no human rights conditions set forth in the host city contract between the International Olympic Committee and the Government of the People's Republic of China; Whereas there is no evidence that the International Olympic Committee has taken any steps to pressure the Government of the People's Republic of China to change its behavior; Whereas the code of ethics of the International Olympic Committee sets forth universal fundamental ethical principles that are the foundation of Olympism, including— (1) respect of the principle of the universality and political neutrality of the Olympic Movement ; and (2) maintaining harmonious relations with state authorities, while respecting the principle of autonomy as set out in the Olympic Charter ; Whereas, historically, the International Olympic Committee has not maintained political neutrality, including by— (1) requiring the Government of Germany to accept qualified Jewish athletes on German Olympic team during the 1936 Olympic Games; (2) revoking South Africa’s invitation in opposition to the Government of South Africa's policy of apartheid during 1964 Olympic Games; and (3) in 1948, banning Germany and Japan from participating in the first Olympic Games after World War II; Whereas taking action against genocide and crimes against humanity is a matter of morality, not politics; Whereas the absence of rule of law and due process in the People’s Republic of China inhibits the ability of the International Olympic Committee and the respective national Olympic committees of participate countries to ensure the safety of all athletes, staff, and spectators throughout the duration of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games; Whereas, on November 2, 2021, 3-time Olympian Peng Shuai disappeared after stating that she had been sexually assaulted and forced into a sexual relationship with Zhang Gaoli, a former Vice Premier and member of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee; Whereas the International Olympic Committee’s acceptance of the Chinese Communist Party cover-up of sexual assault allegations and dismissal of safety concerns for Peng Shuai call into question the International Olympic Committee’s willingness to protect athletes participating in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing; Whereas the International Olympic Committee should not force athletes to choose between their conscience and their pursuit of the highest goals in athletics; Whereas Olympic athletes should not have to worry about— (1) wearing clothing or consuming food that is a product of forced labor; or (2) being penalized or detained by the host government for exercising their right to speak out against genocide, crimes against humanity, and any other human rights abuse; Whereas it is in the best interest of the athletes to move the Olympic Games in fulfillment of the International Olympic Committee’s mission to promote safe sport and the protection of athletes from all forms of harassment and abuse and oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes ; Whereas during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Government of the People's Republic of China broke its commitment to the International Olympic Committee when it— (1) displaced Chinese residents in order to construct Olympic venues; (2) detained demonstrators; (3) censored the internet; and (4) restricted media access and the freedom of speech; Whereas the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games provided the Government of the People's Republic of China the ability to perpetuate propaganda and distract from ongoing human rights abuses; Whereas the International Olympic Committee should consider the individuals who will not be able to celebrate the Olympic spirit because they have been unjustly detained, imprisoned, beaten, or worse by the government the International Olympic Committee selected to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games; Whereas it reflects poorly on the entire Olympic movement, and therefore the international community in general, to proceed with holding the Olympic Games in a country whose government is committing genocide and crimes against humanity; Whereas, on March 24, 2020, 4 months before the start of the 2020 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee and the Government of Japan announced the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games due to the COVID–19 pandemic, an action that demonstrates the ability to postpone the Olympic Games on short notice; Whereas the International Olympic Committee has the right to terminate the host city contract with the People's Republic of China if, at any time, the IOC has reasonable grounds to believe, in its sole discretion, that the safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardized for any reason whatsoever ; Whereas relocating the 2022 Winter Olympic Games due to ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Government of the People's Republic of China is consistent with the vision of the International Olympic Committee to build a better world through sport; and Whereas the International Olympic Committee failed to adhere to its own human rights commitments by extending the honor of hosting the 2022 Olympic Games to Beijing, particularly after Chinese authorities violated commitments to the International Olympic Committee in 2008: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate urges— (1) the International Olympic Committee to relocate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games to another country in response to the refusal of the People’s Republic of China to stop committing genocide and crimes against humanity; (2) the International Olympic Committee to take human rights into account in all decisions, especially in selecting future host countries for the Olympic Games; and (3) the Chinese Communist Party to immediately cease harassment of tennis star Peng Shuai and ensure her safety and freedom. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres495is/xml/BILLS-117sres495is.xml |
117-sres-496 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 496 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2022 Mr. Ossoff (for himself and Mr. Warnock ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation RESOLUTION Congratulating the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team for winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association College Football Playoff National Championship.
Whereas the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team (referred to in this preamble as the Georgia Bulldogs ) went 14–1 during the 2021 college football season and won the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association College Football Playoff National Championship (referred to in this preamble as the 2022 National Championship ), defeating the University of Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 33 to 18 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 10, 2022; Whereas this victory marks the first college football national championship for the University of Georgia since the 1980 college football season and its third national championship overall; Whereas the 2022 National Championship was the 59th football bowl appearance and the 34th football bowl victory for the University of Georgia; Whereas the 2021–2022 Georgia Bulldogs achieved a 14–1 overall record for the season, the most single-season wins in the history of the University of Georgia football program; Whereas the 2021–2022 defensive unit for the Georgia Bulldogs allowed on average only 10.2 points and 153 opposing yards per game, making it one of the most dominant defensive units in the history of college football; Whereas the 2021–2022 Georgia Bulldogs overcame a loss in the Southeastern Conference Championship to the University of Alabama on December 4, 2021, achieving a historic victory over the University of Alabama in the 2022 National Championship; Whereas Georgia Bulldogs quarterback and Blackshear, Georgia, native Stetson Bennett IV, a former walk-on player and junior college transfer, demonstrated tremendous leadership and skill throughout the 2021 college football season, and was named the 2022 National Championship Offensive Player of the Game; Whereas Georgia Bulldogs defensive back, Lewis Cine, was named the 2022 National Championship Defensive Player of the Game; Whereas the University of Georgia head football coach, Kirby Smart, a University of Georgia alumnus and former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back, has now led his team to 5 consecutive Associated Press Top 10 finishes and the first national championship since the end of the 1980 college football season; Whereas this victory extends the record of Coach Smart to 66 wins and 15 losses during his tenure as the 26th Football Head Coach at the University of Georgia, his first stint as a head coach; Whereas members of the 2021–2022 Georgia Bulldogs have been honored by various awards throughout the 2021 college football season and during the post-season, including the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy winner, Jordan Davis, and the 37th Dick Butkus Award winner, Nakobe Dean; Whereas President Jere Morehead, Athletic Director Josh Brooks, and Coach Kirby Smart have emphasized the importance of academic success to the Georgia Bulldogs and all student-athletes at the University of Georgia; and Whereas the 2021–2022 Georgia Bulldogs have brought great pride and honor to the University of Georgia, loyal fans of the Georgia Bulldogs, and the entire State of Georgia: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team for a great season and winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association College Football Playoff National Championship game; (2) recognizes the achievements of all players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the championship season; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate prepare an official copy of this resolution for presentation to— (A) the President of the University of Georgia, Jere Morehead; (B) the Athletic Director of the University of Georgia, Josh Brooks; and (C) the Head Coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team, Kirby Smart. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres496is/xml/BILLS-117sres496is.xml |
117-sres-497 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 497 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2022 Mr. Hoeven (for himself and Mr. Cramer ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Congratulating the North Dakota State University Bison football team for winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.
Whereas the North Dakota State University (referred to in this preamble as NDSU ) Bison football team won the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the NCAA ) Division I Football Championship Subdivision (referred to in this preamble as the FCS ) title game in Frisco, Texas, on January 8, 2022, in a well-fought victory over the Montana State University Bobcats by a score of 38 to 10; Whereas, including the 2022 NCAA Division I FCS title, the NDSU Bison football team has won 17 national football championships; Whereas the NDSU Bison football team has won 9 of the last 11 NCAA Division I FCS titles, an achievement that continues to be unmatched in modern collegiate football history; Whereas the NDSU Bison have displayed tremendous resilience and skill since 2011, with 149 wins to only 12 losses, including a streak of 39 consecutive wins; Whereas head coach Matt Entz and his staff led the NDSU Bison football team to a dominant season and a second championship in his 3 years as head coach at NDSU, continuing the culture of excellence of the NDSU Bison football program; Whereas thousands of Bison fans once again attended the championship game in Frisco, Texas, reflecting the tremendous pride and dedication of Bison Nation, which has supported and helped drive the achievement of the NDSU Bison football team; and Whereas the 2022 NCAA Division I FCS title was a victory for both the NDSU Bison football team and the entire State of North Dakota: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the North Dakota State University Bison football team for winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this resolution as the NCAA ) Division I Football Championship Subdivision (referred to in this resolution as the FCS ) title; (2) commends the players, coaches, and staff of the North Dakota State University Bison football team for— (A) their tireless work and dedication; and (B) fostering a continued tradition of excellence; (3) congratulates North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani, North Dakota State University Athletic Director Matt Larsen, and all the faculty and staff of North Dakota State University for creating an environment that emphasizes excellence in both academics and athletics; and (4) recognizes the students, alumni, and fans of North Dakota State University and all of Bison Nation for supporting the North Dakota State University Bison football team so well during its successful quest to bring home yet another NCAA Division I FCS trophy for North Dakota State University. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres497ats/xml/BILLS-117sres497ats.xml |
117-sres-498 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 498 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 20, 2022 Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Blunt , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Kennedy , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Booker , Mr. Peters , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Reed , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Braun , Mr. Cornyn , Ms. Smith , and Mr. Sullivan ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Recognizing January 2022 as National Mentoring Month .
Whereas the goals of National Mentoring Month are to raise awareness of and celebrate the powerful impact of mentoring relationships, recruit new mentors, and encourage institutions to integrate quality mentoring into their policies, practices, and programs; Whereas quality mentoring fosters positive life and social skills, promotes self-esteem, bolsters academic achievement and college access, supports career exploration, and nurtures youth leadership development; Whereas mentoring happens in many settings, including community-based programs, elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, government agencies, religious institutions, and the workplace, and in various ways, including formal mentoring matches and informal relationships with teachers, coaches, neighbors, faith leaders, and others; Whereas effective mentoring of underserved and vulnerable populations helps individuals confront challenges and enjoy improved mental health and social-emotional well-being; Whereas studies have shown that incorporating culture and heritage into mentoring programs can improve academic outcomes and increase community engagement, especially for Alaska Native and American Indian youth; Whereas youth development experts agree that mentoring encourages positive youth development and smart daily behaviors, such as finishing homework and having healthy social interactions, and has a positive impact on the growth and success of a young person; Whereas mentors help young people set career goals and can help connect mentees to industry professionals to train for and find jobs; Whereas mentoring programs generally have a significant, positive impact on youth academic achievement, school connectedness and engagement, and educational success, which leads to outcomes such as improved attendance, grades and test scores, and classroom behavior; Whereas research has found that young people facing a risk of not completing high school but who had a mentor were, compared with their peers, more likely to enroll in college, to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities, to hold a leadership position in a club or sports team, and to volunteer regularly, and less likely to start using drugs; Whereas mentoring has long been a staple of juvenile justice and violence prevention efforts, and can offer comprehensive support to youth at risk for committing violence or victimization, as mentoring can address many risk factors at once; Whereas mentoring relationships for youth facing risk, such as foster youth, can have a positive impact on a wide range of factors, including mental health, educational functioning and attainment, peer relationships, employment, and housing stability; Whereas mentoring programs have been found to positively impact many aspects of mental well-being, including reducing unhealthy coping mechanisms, improving interpersonal relationships, and reducing parental stress; Whereas mentoring is an innovative, evidence-based practice and, uniquely, is both a prevention and intervention strategy that can support young people of all demographics and backgrounds in all aspects of their lives; Whereas each of the benefits of mentors described in this preamble serves to link youth to economic and social opportunity while also strengthening communities in the United States; Whereas, despite the benefits of mentoring, one young person of every three is growing up without a mentor, which means a third of the young people of the United States are growing up without someone outside of the home to offer real life guidance and support; and Whereas this mentoring gap demonstrates the need for collaboration among the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to increase resources for relationship-centric supports for youth in communities, schools, and workplaces: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes National Mentoring Month ; (2) recognizes the caring adults who serve as staff and volunteers at quality mentoring programs and help the young people of the United States find inner strength and reach their full potential; (3) acknowledges that mentoring supports educational achievement, engagement, and self-confidence, supports young people in setting career goals and expanding social capital, reduces juvenile delinquency, and strengthens communities; (4) promotes the establishment and expansion of quality mentoring programs across the United States to equip young people with the tools needed to lead healthy and productive lives; and (5) supports initiatives to close the mentoring gap that exists for the many young people in the United States who do not have meaningful connections with adults outside the home. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres498is/xml/BILLS-117sres498is.xml |
117-sres-499 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 499 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 31, 2022 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Grassley , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Boozman , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Braun , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Coons , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Rubio , Ms. Klobuchar , Ms. Collins , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Reed , and Ms. Stabenow ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Baltic States.
Whereas the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania originally declared their independence in 1918; Whereas, in 1920, Soviet Russia signed treaties with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania recognizing their sovereignty and renouncing all territorial claims over each Baltic State in perpetuity; Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as independent countries on July 28, 1922, and the United States and the Baltic States have grown strong as partners for the past century; Whereas, on August 23, 1939, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which contained a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, with the Baltic States ultimately being assigned to the Soviet Union, leading soon after to the forcible incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union; Whereas, following World War II, the Soviet Union forcibly occupied the Baltic States, imposing its model of Soviet totalitarianism for more than 5 decades; Whereas the United States never recognized the illegal occupation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania by the Soviet Union, instead maintaining 100 years of continuous diplomatic relations with the Baltic States; Whereas, in August 1989, approximately 2,000,000 people joined hands in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to form a 373-mile human chain across the 3 states known as the Baltic Chain of Freedom; Whereas, in February 1990, the people of Lithuania participated in the first free election to select a new parliament, which promptly voted to restore independence, making Lithuania the first occupied Soviet republic to declare independence on March 11, 1990, a move subsequently followed by Latvia on May 4, 1990, and Estonia on August 20, 1991; Whereas, in January 1991, Soviet military forces tried to quash the growing independence restoration movement, leading to approximately 14 Lithuanian deaths, 6 Latvian deaths, and many injuries; Whereas, in February and March 1991, the people of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia voted overwhelmingly in support of their respective independence restoration referendums, which the United States recognized later that year; Whereas the Baltic States helped pave the path for democracy and freedom across Eastern Europe, leading to the fall of the Soviet Union; Whereas, after the restoration of independence, the economies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania emerged as modern market economies leading in technology and financial services sectors; Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania continue to demonstrate their commitment to advancing democratic values, peace, and security through their membership and active participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Whereas the Baltic States have been loyal NATO allies, contributing to regional and global security through operations in Afghanistan and leadership in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Estonia, the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Latvia, and the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence in Lithuania; Whereas the Baltic States contribute to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area by spending at least 2 percent of gross domestic product for defense and to global security through determined participation in international allied operations and missions; Whereas Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were among the first countries to participate in the National Guard State Partnership Program with the Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania National Guards, respectively, and, since 1993, have provided additional opportunities to enhance National Guard skills and improve interoperability between the United States and Baltic forces; Whereas, in 2019, the United States and the Baltic States signed the Security Cooperation Roadmaps, outlining joint security cooperation priorities for 2019 to 2024; Whereas the Baltic States are actively involved in security assistance, promotion of democracy, and protection of human rights across Eastern Europe, including in Ukraine and Belarus, in the face of aggression and an increase of troops in Belarus by the Russian Federation and the manipulation of the migrant crisis in Europe by the Lukashenko regime; Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has pursued an aggressive disinformation campaign in the Baltic States, including intimidation of Western civilians and troops stationed in Europe and abroad via hacking, propaganda, and other cyberattacks, and has increased air provocations in Eastern Europe; Whereas, since the restoration of independence, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have faced considerable aggressive behavior, intimidation, and cyberattacks from the Russian Federation and, as a result, have worked to shape total defense strategies to counter intervention by the Russian Federation; Whereas, after building trade ties with Taiwan, the Government of Lithuania has faced severe economic and diplomatic coercion from the People's Republic of China; Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has brazenly imposed a customs blockade on products from Lithuania and imports containing Lithuanian parts, with the European Union considering taking the matter to the World Trade Organization as a violation of international trade rules; Whereas, on December 21, 2021, in a call with Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Simonyte, Secretary of State Tony Blinken underscored the ironclad solidarity of the relationship of the United States with Lithuania as Lithuania faces geopolitical challenges to regional stability, security, and economic prosperity; Whereas, on January 5, 2022, at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock, Secretary of State Blinken added, We have immediate concern about the Government of China’s attempts to bully Lithuania, a country of fewer than three million people. China is pushing European and American companies to stop building products with components made in Lithuania or risk losing access to the Chinese market, all because Lithuania chose to expand their cooperation with Taiwan. ; Whereas, on January 24, 2022, the Secretary of Defense put 8,500 members of the Armed Forces on high alert for potential deployment to Eastern Europe as part of a NATO response force; Whereas support for the Baltic States by the United States remains a crucial factor for countering such economic and diplomatic coercion by the Government of the People's Republic of China and ensuring security in the Baltic States and complements the efforts of NATO to strengthen its deterrence and defense posture, including an enhancing its forward presence in the eastern part of the NATO Alliance with multinational battlegroups; Whereas the Baltic States have been models for democratic governance with strong institutions and respect for civil liberties and the rule of law, which are cherished shared values between the Baltic States and the United States; and Whereas, since the restoration of independence, the democratic and economic development and progress of the Baltic States has established Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as 3 shining beacons for freedom: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) celebrates 100 years of continuous diplomatic relations between the United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; (2) looks forward to continued growth in diplomatic relations between the Baltic States and the United States; (3) commits to providing continued support for the Baltic States through economic and security cooperation, including through the Baltic Security Initiative, further strengthening transatlantic ties and regional presence through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; (4) recognizes the courage and resilience of the people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in their fight for freedom and democracy in the face of aggressive behavior by the Russian Federation; (5) stands in solidarity with Lithuania against economic and diplomatic coercion by the People's Republic of China; and (6) expresses the wish that the next 100 years of friendship between the Baltic States and the United States continue to build on the positive achievements and progress made since the Baltic States restored their independence. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres499is/xml/BILLS-117sres499is.xml |
117-sres-500 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 500 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 1, 2022 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Ms. Murkowski , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Brown , Ms. Ernst , Mr. Markey , Ms. Collins , Mr. Leahy , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Hawley , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Durbin , and Mr. Cruz ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary February 3, 2022 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period beginning on January 1, 2022, and ending on February 1, 2022, to raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery.
Whereas the United States abolished the transatlantic slave trade in 1808 and abolished chattel slavery and prohibited involuntary servitude in 1865; Whereas, because the people of the United States remain committed to protecting individual freedom, there is a national imperative to eliminate human trafficking and modern slavery, which is commonly considered to mean— (1) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of an individual through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjecting that individual to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery; or (2) the inducement of a commercial sex act by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the individual induced to perform that act is younger than 18 years of age; Whereas forced labor and human trafficking generates revenues of approximately $150,000,000,000 annually worldwide, and there are an estimated 40,000,000 victims of human trafficking and modern slavery across the globe; Whereas victims of human trafficking are difficult to identify and are subject to manipulation, force, fraud, coercion, and abuse; Whereas the Department of Justice has reported that human trafficking and modern slavery has been reported and investigated in each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia; Whereas the Department of State has reported that the top 3 countries of origin of federally identified human trafficking victims in the United States in fiscal year 2020 were the United States, Mexico, and Honduras; Whereas, to help businesses in the United States combat child labor and forced labor in global supply chains, the Department of Labor has identified 156 goods from 77 countries that are made by child labor and forced labor; Whereas, since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified nearly 74,000 cases of human trafficking; Whereas, of the more than 26,500 endangered runaways reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2020, 1 in 6 were likely child sex trafficking victims; Whereas youth experiencing homelessness experience high rates of human trafficking and 1 in 5 homeless youths is a victim of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or both; Whereas the Administration for Native Americans of the Department of Health and Human Services reports that American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander women and girls have a heightened risk for sex trafficking; Whereas the Department of Justice found that studies on the topic of human trafficking of American Indians and Alaska Natives suggest there are— (1) high rates of sexual exploitation of Native women and girls; (2) gaps in data and research on trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Native victims; and (3) barriers that prevent law enforcement agencies and victim service providers from identifying and responding appropriately to Native victims; Whereas, according to the Government Accountability Office, from fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2016, there were only 14 Federal investigations and 2 Federal prosecutions of human trafficking offenses in Indian country; Whereas, to combat human trafficking and modern slavery in the United States and globally, the people of the United States, the Federal Government, and State, Tribal, and local governments must be— (1) aware of the realities of human trafficking and modern slavery; and (2) dedicated to stopping the horrific enterprise of human trafficking and modern slavery; Whereas the United States should hold accountable all individuals, groups, organizations, governments, and countries that support, advance, or commit acts of human trafficking and modern slavery; Whereas, through education, the United States must also work to end human trafficking and modern slavery in all forms in the United States and around the world; Whereas victims of human trafficking deserve a trauma-informed approach that integrates the pursuit of justice and provision of social services designed to help them escape, and recover from, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual trauma they endured; Whereas combating human trafficking requires a whole-of-government effort that rests on a unified and coordinated response among Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies and that places equal value on the prevention of trafficking, the identification and stabilization of victims, and the investigation and prosecution of traffickers; Whereas laws to prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking and to assist and protect victims of human trafficking and modern slavery have been enacted in the United States, including— (1) the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 ( 22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. ); (2) title XII of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 ( Public Law 113–4 ; 127 Stat. 136); (3) the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 ( Public Law 114–22 ; 129 Stat. 227); (4) sections 910 and 914(e) of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 ( Public Law 114–125 ; 130 Stat. 239 and 274); (5) section 1298 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 ( 22 U.S.C. 7114 ); (6) the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–392 ; 132 Stat. 5250); (7) the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–393 ; 132 Stat. 5265); (8) the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–425 ; 132 Stat. 5472); and (9) the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–427 ; 132 Stat. 5503); Whereas the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 ( Public Law 114–22 ; 129 Stat. 227) established the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking to provide a formal platform for survivors of human trafficking to advise and make recommendations on Federal anti-trafficking policies to the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking established by the President; Whereas the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration issued a final rule (80 Fed. Reg. 4967) to implement Executive Order 13627, entitled Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts , that clarifies the policy of the United States on combating trafficking in persons as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation by strengthening the prohibition on contractors from charging employee recruitment fees; Whereas, although such laws and regulations are currently in force, it is essential to increase public awareness, particularly among individuals who are most likely to come into contact with victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, regarding conditions and dynamics of human trafficking and modern slavery, precisely because traffickers use techniques that are designed to severely limit self-reporting and evade law enforcement; Whereas January 1 is the anniversary of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation; Whereas February 1 is— (1) the anniversary of the date on which President Abraham Lincoln signed the joint resolution sending the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States to the States for ratification to forever declare, Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction ; and (2) a date that has long been celebrated as National Freedom Day, as described in section 124 of title 36, United States Code; and Whereas, under the authority of Congress to enforce the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States by appropriate legislation , Congress, through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 ( 22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq. ), updated the post-Civil War involuntary servitude and slavery statutes and adopted an approach of victim protection, vigorous prosecution, and prevention of human trafficking, commonly known as the 3P approach: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate supports— (1) observing National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period beginning on January 1, 2022, and ending on February 1, 2022, to recognize the vital role that the people of the United States have in ending human trafficking and modern slavery; (2) marking the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month with appropriate programs and activities, culminating in the observance on February 1, 2022, of National Freedom Day, as described in section 124 of title 36, United States Code; (3) urging continued partnerships with Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, as well as social service providers and nonprofit organizations to address human trafficking with a collaborative, victim-centered approach; and (4) all other efforts to prevent, eradicate, and raise awareness of, and opposition to, human trafficking and modern slavery. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres500ats/xml/BILLS-117sres500ats.xml |
117-sres-501 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 501 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 1, 2022 Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Braun , Mr. Burr , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Daines , Mr. Graham , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Lankford , Mr. McConnell , Mr. Romney , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Young , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Toomey , Mr. Tuberville , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Hagerty , and Mr. Inhofe ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of January 23 through January 29, 2022, as National School Choice Week .
Whereas providing a diversity of choices in kindergarten through grade 12 (referred to in this preamble as K–12 ) education empowers parents to select education environments that meet the individual needs and strengths of their children; Whereas high-quality K–12 education environments of all varieties are available in the United States, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and home schooling; Whereas talented teachers and school leaders in each of the education environments prepare children to achieve their dreams; Whereas more families than ever before in the United States actively choose the best education for their children; Whereas more public awareness of the issue of parental choice in education can inform additional families of the benefits of proactively choosing challenging, motivating, and effective education environments for their children; Whereas the process by which parents choose schools for their children is nonpolitical, nonpartisan, and deserves the utmost respect; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has exacerbated educational inequities for many children in the United States, highlighting the importance of a high-quality education; and Whereas tens of thousands of events are planned to celebrate the benefits of educational choice during the 12th annual National School Choice Week, held the week of January 23 through January 29, 2022: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates the week of January 23 through January 29, 2022, as National School Choice Week ; (2) congratulates students, parents, teachers, and school leaders from kindergarten through grade 12 education environments of all varieties for their persistence, achievements, dedication, and contributions to society in the United States; (3) encourages all parents, during National School Choice Week, to learn more about the education options available to them; and (4) encourages the people of the United States to hold appropriate programs, events, and activities during National School Choice Week to raise public awareness of the benefits of opportunity in education. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres501ats/xml/BILLS-117sres501ats.xml |
117-sres-502 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 502 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 1, 2022 Ms. Warren (for herself, Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Braun , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Moran ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Acknowledging and commemorating the World War II women in the Navy who served in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service ( WAVES ).
Whereas, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (referred to in this preamble as “WAVES”) on July 30, 1942, when he signed the Act of July 30, 1942 (56 Stat. 730, chapter 538) into law; Whereas, despite social stigmas and public opinion averse to women in uniform, women applied for WAVES in such numbers that enrollment ceilings were reached within the first several years; Whereas, while women had served in the enlisted ranks of the Navy in a variety of positions during World War I, legislation passed after World War I limited women to service as nurses until the creation of the WAVES; Whereas, during World War II, women in the United States were recruited into the Armed Forces to perform military assignments so that men could be freed for combat duties; Whereas, under the direction of Lieutenant Commander (later Captain) Mildred Helen McAfee, the WAVES peaked in 1945 at nearly 80,000 officers and enlisted personnel, or approximately 2.5 percent of the wartime strength of the Navy and was composed of women from urban and rural communities across many socioeconomic backgrounds; Whereas, the Secretary of the Navy’s Annual Report Fiscal Year 1945 stated that there were 8,475 officers and 73,816 enlisted WAVES serving in the spring of 1945; Whereas the WAVES worked at large and small naval commands from Florida to Washington and from California to Rhode Island, as well as overseas; Whereas the WAVES numerous and diverse contributions ranged from yeoman, chauffeur, and baker to pharmacist, artist, aircraft mechanic, and dental hygienist; Whereas during World War II, WAVES served as training instructors throughout the country for newly recruited WAVES as well as thousands of aspiring male naval aviators, gunners, and navigators destined for combat units; Whereas the WAVES who served in naval aviation taught instrument flying, aircraft recognition, celestial navigation, aircraft gunnery, radio, radar, air combat information, and air fighter administration but were not allowed to be pilots; Whereas the WAVES served the Navy in such numbers that, according to a Navy estimate, enough men were freed for combat duty to crew the ships of 4 major task forces, each including a battleship, 2 large aircraft carriers, 2 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers, and 15 destroyers; Whereas, at the end of World War II, Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal stated that members of the WAVES have exceeded performance of men in certain types of work, and the Navy Department considers it to be very desirable that these important services rendered by women during the war should likewise be available in postwar years ahead ; Whereas, by the end of World War II, more than 400,000 women had served the United States in military capacities, with every Navy aviator who entered combat having received some part of his training from a WAVE; Whereas the WAVES, despite their merit and the recognized value and importance of their contributions to the war effort, were not given status equal to their male counterparts, and struggled for years to receive the appreciation of Congress and the people of the United States; Whereas the WAVES helped to catalyze the social, demographic, and economic evolutions that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s and continue to this day; and Whereas the pioneering women who served in the WAVES are owed a great debt of gratitude for their service to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) honors the women who served the United States in the Navy Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service ( WAVES ) during World War II; (2) commends the WAVES who, through a sense of duty and willingness to defy stereotypes and social pressures, performed military assignments to aid the war effort, with the result that men were freed for combat duties; and (3) recognizes that the WAVES, by serving with diligence and merit, not only opened up opportunities for women that had previously been reserved for men, but also contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and the Allies in World War II. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres502ats/xml/BILLS-117sres502ats.xml |
117-sres-503 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 503 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2022 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Mr. Warner , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Brown , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Braun , Mr. Van Hollen , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Casey , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Warnock , Mr. Johnson , and Mrs. Shaheen ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately guarantee the safety and freedom of tennis star Peng Shuai.
Whereas, on November 2, 2021, 3-time Olympian Peng Shuai went missing after she said in a since-deleted post on Chinese social media site Weibo that she had been sexually assaulted and forced into a sexual relationship with Zhang Gaoli, who was the senior Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China from 2013 to 2018; Whereas authorities of the People's Republic of China imposed a media and internet blackout of discussions of Peng’s case; Whereas, on November 14, 2021, after Peng had not been seen or heard from for 12 days, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Tennis Association Steve Simon requested a full, fair, and transparent investigation into Peng’s allegations; Whereas the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai trended across social media worldwide, with the exception of the People's Republic of China where it was censored; Whereas, on November 17, 2021, the Women's Tennis Association received a statement purporting to be from Peng, recanting her abuse claim and saying everything is fine ; Whereas, in response, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Tennis Association Steve Simon said the statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts ; Whereas the International Olympic Committee said in a statement that it was encouraged by assurances that she is safe ; Whereas, on November 19 and 20, 2021, photos and videos of Peng appearing in her home, in a restaurant, and at a youth tennis event in Beijing emerged on Twitter accounts affiliated with government-run media; Whereas, on November 19, 2021, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the White House is deeply concerned over Peng’s disappearance and seeks independent and verifiable proof of her location and condition; Whereas, on November 19, 2021, Liz Throssell, the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters … it would be important to have proof of her whereabouts and wellbeing, and we would urge that there be an investigation with full transparency into her allegations of sexual assault ; Whereas, on November 21, 2021, the International Olympic Committee said in a statement that its President, Thomas Bach, had a 30-minute video call with Peng, joined by a Chinese sports official and an official of the International Olympic Committee; Whereas the statement said that, during the call, Peng appeared to be doing fine and appeared relaxed , and said she would like to have her privacy respected ; Whereas the International Olympic Committee did not explain how the video call with Peng had been organized, given the difficulties other concerned parties have had reaching her; Whereas, on November 30, 2021, in an interview with CNN, International Olympic Committee official Dick Pound defended the handling of the situation by the Government of the People's Republic of China and said the unanimous conclusion by International Olympic Committee officials on the call is that Peng Shuai is fine ; Whereas the annual report of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China for 2020 finds that gender-based violence in China remains a serious issue, and highly publicized cases of sexual assault continue to surface; Whereas, on December 1, 2021, the Women's Tennis Association suspended all Women's Tennis Association tournaments in China and Hong Kong; Whereas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Tennis Association Steve Simon stated, In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault. Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022. ; Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has repeatedly detained #MeToo activists in China and censored online and public discussion around sexual assault and harassment; and Whereas athletes from the around the world will be competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing in February 2022: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the Senate that— (1) the case of Peng Shuai is directly related to broader international concerns around the freedom of speech and safety of athletes participating in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing; (2) the failure of the International Olympic Committee to clearly and forcefully challenge the claims of the Government of the People’s Republic of China concerning Peng’s safety raise questions about the ability and willingness of the International Olympic Committee to stand up for the human rights of athletes participating in the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing; (3) the Government of the People's Republic of China would help reduce concerns about athlete safety at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing by assuring Peng’s freedom and safety and investigating her allegations in a fair and transparent manner; (4) the Government of the People's Republic of China should immediately take steps to— (A) provide independent and verifiable proof of Peng’s whereabouts and that she is safe; (B) allow Peng to engage directly with the Women's Tennis Association and the United Nations to independently verify her safety and explain her absence from public life since making her allegation; (C) open an independent and transparent investigation into Peng’s allegations against former senior Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli; (D) publicly commit to hold sexual violence abusers accountable; (E) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng’s case; and (F) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires and prevent any retaliation against family members remaining there; (5) by failing to clearly and forcefully challenge the Chinese Communist Party’s narrative, the International Olympic Committee has failed to uphold its own stated commitments with regard to [r]espect for international conventions on protecting human rights , as outlined in the Code of Ethics of the International Olympic Committee; (6) the conduct of the International Olympic Committee runs counter to efforts by the United States Government, human rights organizations, the Women’s Tennis Association, and other international bodies and individuals to secure Peng’s safety; and (7) in an effort to regain lost public confidence, the International Olympic Committee should publicly call on the Government of the People's Republic of China to undertake the actions called for in paragraph (4). | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres503is/xml/BILLS-117sres503is.xml |
117-sres-504 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 504 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2022 Mr. Moran (for himself and Mr. Marshall ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commending and congratulating the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens men's basketball team on winning the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I men's basketball championship.
Whereas, on Saturday, April 24, 2021, the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens men's basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the Red Ravens ) defeated the Cowley County Community College Tigers by a score of 108 to 99 in the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the NJCAA ) Division I men's basketball championship game; Whereas the 2021 national championship is the first for the Red Ravens since 1962; Whereas, in addition to winning the national championship, the Red Ravens won a share of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference East title; Whereas, in the championship game, freshman center Blaise Keita had a career-high 27 points on 13–16 shooting; Whereas guard Tylor Perry— (1) had 18 points in the championship game; and (2) was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2021 NJCAA Division I men's basketball championship tournament; Whereas Love Bettis, Blaise Keita, and Tylor Perry were named to the All-Tournament team; and Whereas head coach Jay Herkelman was named the 2021 NJCAA Division I men's basketball coach of the year: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) commends the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens men's basketball team on winning the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I men's basketball championship; (2) recognizes the players, coaches, and staff of the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens men's basketball team; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the President of Coffeyville Community College, Dr. Marlon Thornburg; (B) the Athletic Director of Coffeyville Community College, Jeff Leiker; and (C) the head coach of the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens men's basketball team, Jay Herkelman. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres504ats/xml/BILLS-117sres504ats.xml |
117-sres-505 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 505 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2022 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Romney , and Mr. Bennet ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Commemorating the success of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in the past 24 Olympic Winter Games and 12 Paralympic Winter Games and supporting the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games.
Whereas for more than 100 years, the Olympic and Paralympic movements have— (1) educated young people through amateur athletics; (2) brought together athletes from many countries in friendly competition; and (3) forged new relationships among athletes bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play; Whereas at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, 91 nations will compete in 109 events across 15 disciplines in 7 sports, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams (referred to in this preamble as Team USA ) will compete in all 7 sports; Whereas at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, approximately 16 nations will compete in 78 events across 6 disciplines in 2 sports, and Team USA will compete in all 2 sports; Whereas at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the Team USA roster includes 224 athletes with the largest ever female contingent for Team USA at an Olympic Winter Games; Whereas at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, the Team USA roster currently includes 10 athletes, and many more athletes are expected to qualify; Whereas, during the past 24 Olympic Winter Games, Team USA has won 105 gold medals, 112 silver medals, and 88 bronze medals, totaling 305 medals; Whereas, during the past 12 Paralympic Winter Games, Team USA has won 111 gold medals, 119 silver medals, and 85 bronze medals, totaling 315 medals; Whereas the people of the United States stand united in respect and admiration for the members of Team USA and the athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence of Team USA; Whereas the many accomplishments of Team USA would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many parties, including the many sports organizations, administrators, coaches, and family members who provide critical support to the athletes of Team USA; Whereas the United States takes great pride in the athletes of Team USA exhibiting a commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and good will toward other competitors; Whereas the United States maintains a commitment to the safety and security of Team USA; Whereas 31 States will be represented on Team USA, with the largest contingents coming from California, Minnesota, Colorado, and Utah; and Whereas Team USA exemplifies rigorous competition, fair play, and the pursuit of dreams: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) applauds the athletes and coaches of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams (referred to in this resolution as Team USA ) and the families who support them; and (2) supports the athletes of Team USA in competing at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres505ats/xml/BILLS-117sres505ats.xml |
117-sres-506 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 506 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 8 (legislative day, February 3), 2022 Mr. Toomey (for himself and Mr. Casey ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the goals of National Catholic Schools Week.
Whereas Catholic schools in the United States are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence and provide students with more than just an exceptional education; Whereas Catholic schools instill a broad, values-added education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in young people in the United States; Whereas Catholic schools serve the United States by providing a strong academic and moral foundation to a diverse student population from all regions of the country and all socioeconomic backgrounds, and of that student population— (1) 21.4 percent of students are from racial minority backgrounds; (2) 18.6 percent of students are of Hispanic heritage; and (3) 20.1 percent of students are from non-Catholic families; Whereas Catholic schools are an affordable option for parents, particularly in underserved urban areas; Whereas Catholic schools produce students who are strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral development; Whereas Catholic schools are committed to community service, producing graduates who hold helping others as a core value; Whereas the total Catholic school student enrollment for the 2021–2022 academic year was more than 1,680,000 and the student-teacher ratio was 11.5 to 1; Whereas the Catholic high school graduation rate is 98 percent, with 85.2 percent of graduates attending 4-year colleges; Whereas the week of January 30, 2022, to February 5, 2022, has been designated as National Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Whereas National Catholic Schools Week was first established in 1974 and has been celebrated annually for the past 48 years; and Whereas the theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service. and reflects Catholic schools’ purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor, and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of faith: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, an event— (A) cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and (B) established to recognize the vital contributions of the thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States; (2) applauds the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on their selection of a theme that all people can celebrate; and (3) supports— (A) the dedication of Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the United States to academic excellence; and (B) the key role that Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers across the United States play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the United States. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres506ats/xml/BILLS-117sres506ats.xml |
117-sres-507 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 507 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 8 (legislative day, February 3), 2022 Mr. Peters (for himself and Ms. Ernst ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating February 1, 2022, as Blue Star Mother’s Day .
Whereas, on January 22, 1942, in the midst of the Second World War, United States Army Captain George Maines ran an advertisement in the Flint News Observer calling for mothers of members of the Armed Forces to meet; Whereas, on February 1, 1942, 300 mothers of members of the Armed Forces held their first meeting at the Durant Hotel in Flint, Michigan, and February 1, 2022, is the 80th anniversary of that meeting; Whereas, on July 14, 1960, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., received its charter from Congress; Whereas Blue Star Mothers make enormous sacrifices while their sons and daughters are providing for the defense of the United States; Whereas Blue Star Mothers pack and ship thousands of care packages every year to members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas, volunteer to help homeless veterans, provide support for wounded warriors, visit with hospitalized veterans, honor fallen heroes during funeral services, and offer a compassionate community for the mothers of men and women of the Armed Forces serving in harm’s way; Whereas Blue Star Mothers promote the values of the United States, demonstrate a patriotic spirit, and advance a national sense of pride and appreciation for the men and women of the Armed Forces; and Whereas there are 208 active chapters of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., throughout the United States representing thousands of military families: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates February 1, 2022, as Blue Star Mother’s Day ; (2) honors and recognizes— (A) the contributions of the members of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.; and (B) the important role Blue Star Mothers play in supporting each other and members and veterans of the Armed Forces; and (3) encourages the people of the United States— (A) to observe Blue Star Mother’s Day; and (B) to support the work of local chapters of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres507ats/xml/BILLS-117sres507ats.xml |
117-sres-508 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 508 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 9, 2022 Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Scott of Florida ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Honoring the memories of the victims of the senseless attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.
Whereas, on February 14, 2018, a mass shooting that claimed the lives of 17 teachers and students took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida; Whereas the people of the United States continue to pray for the individuals who were affected by this tragedy; Whereas the Parkland community has shown strength, compassion, and unity in the past 4 years; and Whereas February 14, 2022, marks 4 years since the horrific attack: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) honors the memories of the victims of the senseless attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, and offers heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones, and friends of the victims; (2) honors the survivors of the attack and pledges continued support for their recovery; (3) recognizes the strength and resilience of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community; and (4) expresses gratitude to the emergency medical and health care professionals of the Parkland community for their efforts in responding to the attack and caring for the victims and survivors. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres508ats/xml/BILLS-117sres508ats.xml |
117-sres-509 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 509 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 9, 2022 Ms. Hassan (for herself, Ms. Collins , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Reed , Mr. King , Mr. Leahy , Ms. Warren , Mr. Markey , and Mrs. Shaheen ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation RESOLUTION Honoring Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., the 7-time Super Bowl champion who played for the New England Patriots for 20 incredible seasons, and briefly the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2 seasons, for a combined 22 seasons in the National Football League.
Whereas Tom Brady, commonly known as TB12 or the GOAT , was born in San Mateo, California, on August 3, 1977; Whereas, after graduating from Junipero Serra High School, Tom Brady matriculated at the University of Michigan, where he led the Wolverines football team to wins in the Citrus and Orange Bowls; Whereas Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 National Football League (referred to in this preamble as the NFL ) Draft with the 199th pick by the New England Patriots, a selection that many football analysts now regard as the best draft pick of all time; Whereas Tom Brady was named the starting quarterback of the New England Patriots during the 2001 season and subsequently never had a losing season as a starting quarterback during his time in the NFL; Whereas Tom Brady was instrumental in creating iconic moments in New England sports history, including— (1) on January 19, 2002, leading the Patriots to a come-from-behind win in the American Football Conference Divisional playoffs against the Oakland Raiders during a blizzard in the last game ever played at Foxboro Stadium; (2) on February 2, 2002, leading the New England Patriots to the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory against the heavily favored St. Louis Rams; (3) during the 2007 season, leading the New England Patriots with a record setting passing touchdown performance to a perfect 16–0 regular season; and (4) on February 5, 2017, overcoming a 28–3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI; Whereas Tom Brady has won 7 Super Bowls, including 6 with the New England Patriots, and was a key member during the franchise’s dynasty era, which spanned 2 decades; Whereas Tom Brady has been— (1) selected 3 times as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player; (2) selected 5 times as the Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl; (3) selected 6 times as an All-Pro player; (4) selected to 15 Pro Bowls; and (5) a consistent NFL leader in passing touchdowns, passing yards, passer rating, and completion percentage; Whereas Tom Brady holds numerous NFL records, including— (1) the most Super Bowl wins with 7; (2) the most Super Bowl appearances with 10; (3) the most career wins with 243; (4) the most career passing completions with 7,263; (5) the most career passing touchdowns with 624; and (6) the most career passing yards with 84,520; Whereas Tom Brady taught all of New England that the most important championship ring was the next one ; Whereas Tom Brady earned the love and admiration of New England sports fans everywhere and buoyed the spirits of children through his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Best Buddies; Whereas Tom Brady brought incredible joy to New England and all of Patriots Nation, who loved watching him play; and Whereas Tom Brady played his final NFL game on January 23, 2022: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) honors the legendary career of Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., whose leadership, tenacity, and hard work defined a generation for Patriots Nation and whose legacy will continue to live on for years to come; and (2) wishes Tom Brady a fulfilling post-professional football career as he bids farewell to the gridiron. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres509is/xml/BILLS-117sres509is.xml |
117-sres-510 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 510 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 10, 2022 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Blunt , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Booker , Mr. Brown , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Casey , Mr. Coons , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Fischer , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Hagerty , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. Markey , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Padilla , Ms. Smith , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Ms. Warren , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Wyden , and Mr. Durbin ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing January 25, 2022, as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day .
That the Senate— (1) recognizes January 25, 2022, as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day ; (2) recognizes the need for, and appreciation of, the service of poll workers; and (3) encourages eligible people to help America vote in the 2022 elections by serving as poll workers. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres510ats/xml/BILLS-117sres510ats.xml |
117-sres-511 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 511 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 10, 2022 Mr. Menendez (for himself and Mr. Graham ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that establishing a regional nuclear fuel bank would assist international efforts to avoid a destabilizing arms race in the Middle East and would promote the peaceful use of nuclear power.
Whereas the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on October 17, 2019, established and began operating a Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank in Oskemen, Kazakhstan; Whereas the IAEA LEU Bank currently has physical stock of 90 metric tons of low enriched uranium hexafluoride suitable to make fuel for nuclear power reactors worldwide; Whereas the IAEA Bank mission is to ensure member states of the IAEA are able to obtain fuel for their reactors if there is a disruption in their existing fuel supply arrangements and LEU cannot be obtained by any other means; Whereas a member state of the IAEA who wants to buy LEU from the fuel Bank must be in compliance with all of their nuclear safeguard agreements and not under investigation by the IAEA Board of Governors; Whereas the establishment and operation of the IAEA LEU Bank is fully funded by voluntary contributions; Whereas these voluntary contributions have come from the United States, the European Union, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and non-government actors such as the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI); Whereas in April 2009, President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomed the then proposal to set up a global nuclear fuel repository, under strict international controls; Whereas, in an April 2005 statement at the IAEA, the Islamic Republic of Iran said it will only pursue nuclear activities in the peaceful domain, and the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a fatwa that the production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons are forbidden under Islam and that the Islamic Republic of Iran shall never acquire these weapons; Whereas the provision of LEU fuel enables a state to forgo domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing for commercial nuclear reactors; Whereas the UAE has successfully developed commercial nuclear power without a domestic capability to enrich uranium or reprocess spent fuel; Whereas many states in the Middle East are seeking to establish commercial nuclear power reactors to supply power to their electrical grid; Whereas the development of uranium enrichment and reprocessing capabilities increases the proliferation risk associated with nuclear technology, materials, and weapons; and Whereas Iran’s nuclear program is leading other Middle East states to consider how to match Iran’s enrichment capabilities: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the Senate that— (1) the establishment of a regional nuclear fuel bank, or a rules modification and expansion of the existing LEU Bank, in coordination with other international actors, should be part of a comprehensive plan for confronting nuclear nonproliferation in the Middle East; (2) the United States should implement a policy that guarantees that any Middle East state that forgoes domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing will be able to purchase fuel for their commercial nuclear reactors from an international nuclear fuel bank; (3) in order to expand the existing IAEA LEU Bank or establish a new regional nuclear fuel bank, the United States should provide technical experience and funds and should encourage others to make financial donations to such bank; (4) the United States should seek bilateral and multilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with various Middle Eastern states, including Iran, pursuant to section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ( 42 U.S.C. 2153 ) ( 123 agreements ) that include the adoption of IAEA Additional Protocols for verification of nuclear safeguards that include a commitment by states to forgo domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent fuel; (5) if Iran enters into and implements a nuclear agreement in which it forgoes domestic uranium enrichment and reprocessing of spent fuel, the United States should commit to and provide sanctions relief beyond that agreed to in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, by Iran and by France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States; (6) any such sanctions relief should include the termination of certain United States primary sanctions, as appropriate, but other United States sanctions should remain in place until Iran verifiably ceases its malign activity, including its support for terrorism, its human rights abuses, its hostage-taking, and its destabilizing activities in the region, and refrains from resuming such activities; and (7) any international agreement limiting Iran’s nuclear program and providing sanctions relief to which the United States is a signatory should be submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification pursuant to Article II of the Constitution. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres511is/xml/BILLS-117sres511is.xml |
117-sres-512 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 512 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2022 Mr. Hagerty (for himself, Mr. Moran , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Braun , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Cramer , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Tuberville , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Thune , Mr. Paul , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Hawley , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Marshall , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Risch , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Barrasso ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration RESOLUTION Supporting reopening the United States Capitol Building and Senate Office Buildings to the American people.
Whereas the United States Capitol and Senate Office Buildings closed to public visitation on March 12, 2020, at the very outset of the pandemic; Whereas, since March of 2020, the American people have learned how to safely gather and enter public places despite the existence of COVID–19 and, due to Operation Warp Speed, have had the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID–19 for more than a year; Whereas, despite the existence of COVID–19, tens of thousands of people routinely gather across the country for sporting, entertainment, worship, and other events; Whereas, despite the existence of COVID–19, stores, restaurants, and other public places have been successfully welcoming the public since the pandemic began in 2020; Whereas, despite the existence of COVID–19, the American people, including Members of Congress, routinely use crowded public transportation vehicles, including airplanes and trains; Whereas, despite the existence of COVID–19, most Americans have long since resumed working around co-workers, customers, and others; Whereas it is illogical and unacceptable that, despite the rest of the United States being open, the United States Capitol Building and Senate Office Buildings, buildings that belong to the American people, remain largely closed to public visitation; and Whereas it is time to once again welcome the public participation in the legislative process and the public visitation of our historic buildings that have always been hallmarks of American democracy: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes the importance of reopening the United States Capitol Building and Senate Office Buildings to the American people to facilitate public participation in the legislative process and public visitation of these historic buildings; and (2) supports returning to the public visitation policies for Senate Office Buildings and the portions of the United States Capitol Building and Capitol complex within Senate jurisdiction that were in place before the COVID–19 pandemic. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres512is/xml/BILLS-117sres512is.xml |
117-sres-513 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 513 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2022 Mr. Markey (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Booker , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Casey , Ms. Smith , Ms. Warren , and Mr. Blumenthal ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Recognizing the growing threats against women and children, religious and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQI persons in Afghanistan and against allies of such individuals, such as civil society leaders and activists, scholars, former government officials, journalists, and media workers, and expressing solidarity with and reaffirming the dire need to protect vulnerable and minority populations and their allies in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Whereas the Taliban have a history of prohibiting women from receiving an education and pursuing jobs outside their homes and have publicly executed women who were accused of adultery; Whereas a 2001 report by the Department of State noted that, from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban perpetrated egregious acts of violence against women as part of a war against women ; Whereas, in some Afghan provinces taken over by the Taliban beginning in May 2021, there are reports that the Taliban have forced women into marriage with Taliban fighters and have led targeted killings against women; Whereas United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has expressed concern with the Taliban’s contradiction of stated commitments, their exclusion of women from the public sector, and their restrictions on women, such as not allowing women to appear in public without a male chaperone; Whereas, since 2018, the Secretary of State has designated the Taliban as an entity of particular concern for religious freedom pursuant to section 301 of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act ( 22 U.S.C. 6442a ) for having engaged in particularly severe violations of religious freedom ; Whereas, in October 2021, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reported on deteriorating conditions for religious minorities in Afghanistan, noting growing fear among Hazara Shi’a Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Ahmadi Muslims, Baha’is, and nonbelievers, and stating, Afghans who do not adhere to the Taliban’s harsh and strict interpretation of Sunni Islam and adherents of other faiths or beliefs are at grave threat ; Whereas the Hazaras constitute approximately 10 to 15 percent of the national population in Afghanistan and are considered a minority religious group; Whereas the Hazaras specifically, along with other religious and ethnic minorities, have historically been explicitly targeted by the Taliban and have been abused with impunity; Whereas Amnesty International reported that on August 30, 2021, 13 Hazaras were unlawfully killed in the village of Kahor in the Khider district by Taliban fighters, with one of the victims being a 17-year-old girl; Whereas, in 2021, the Taliban forcibly displaced approximately 4,000 Hazaras from their homes and ancestral lands in Daykundi province while a Taliban court expelled approximately 2,000 families from the city of Mazar-e-Sharif; Whereas, in 2021, more than 30 instances of violence and threats of violence against Afghan journalists were recorded; Whereas activists, journalists, civil society actors, and scholars face threats and intimidation and risk being unlawfully detained or tortured or becoming a victim of targeted killings by the Taliban; Whereas adherence to the rule of law and protection of human rights is rapidly deteriorating under the Taliban, which are reportedly targeting judges, prosecutors, lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists, former parliamentarians, and individuals who previously advocated for human rights and the rule of law, particularly women; Whereas there are reports of the Taliban conducting house-to-house searches and tracking individuals who served the previous authorities and then carrying out targeted revenge killings; Whereas, during the previous period of rule of the Taliban, the Taliban reportedly executed Afghan men alleged to have engaged in sexual activity with other men; Whereas the current Acting Prime Minister of the Taliban reportedly stated in 1996 that homosexuality is a great sin and some say we should take these sinners to a high roof and throw them down, while others say we should dig a hole beside a wall, bury them, then push the wall down on top of them ; Whereas a Taliban judge, Gul Rahim, stated in July 2021 that [f]or homosexuals, there can only be two punishments: either stoning or he must stand behind a wall that will fall down on him, and a spokesman for the Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan noted that LGBT rights would not be respected under the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law; and Whereas, in 2022, many LGBTQI individuals in Afghanistan are forced to live in hiding due to reports of threats and attacks against such individuals in the community: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and with vulnerable groups including women and children, religious and ethnic minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) persons, civil society actors, journalists, and other at-risk populations in Afghanistan; (2) reaffirms the longstanding commitment of the United States to advance human rights worldwide; (3) calls on the Taliban to uphold the protection of universal human rights, including the commitments set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Afghanistan is a party; (4) encourages the executive branch to continue to call for the protection of women and children, religious and ethnic minorities, civil society actors, journalists, and LGBTQI persons under Taliban rule; (5) calls for the international community to condemn human rights violations committed by the Taliban; (6) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to support Afghan civil society, individuals who assisted with the war efforts of the United States and allies of the United States, and individuals who advocate for universal human rights; and (7) calls on the United States Government to work closely with the international community and nongovernmental organizations, particularly such organizations based in Afghanistan, to support at-risk Afghan minority populations and other vulnerable communities, including through efforts to stem the growing humanitarian crisis that will disproportionately impact already vulnerable groups. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres513is/xml/BILLS-117sres513is.xml |
117-sres-514 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 514 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2022 Ms. Stabenow (for herself, Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Peters , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Brown , and Mrs. Gillibrand ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President and the Secretary of State should ensure that the Government of Canada does not permanently store nuclear waste in the Great Lakes Basin.
Whereas the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin are precious public natural resources shared by the Great Lakes States and the Provinces of Canada; Whereas, since 1909, the United States and Canada have worked to maintain and improve the water quality of the Great Lakes through water quality agreements; Whereas more than 40,000,000 individuals in Canada and the United States depend on the fresh water from the Great Lakes for drinking water; Whereas the Government of Canada is proposing to build a permanent deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste in the Great Lakes Basin; Whereas the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Canada is examining building a permanent deep geological repository for nuclear waste in the Great Lakes Basin, less than 40 miles from Lake Huron in South Bruce, Ontario, Canada; Whereas nuclear waste is highly toxic and can take tens of thousands of years to decompose to safe levels; Whereas a spill of nuclear waste into the Great Lakes, including during transit to a permanent deep geological repository for nuclear waste, could have lasting and severely adverse environmental, health, and economic impacts on the Great Lakes and the individuals who depend on the Great Lakes for their livelihoods; Whereas more than 232 State, Tribal, county, and local governments have passed resolutions in opposition to the proposed nuclear waste repository of Ontario Power Generation; Whereas Tribes and First Nations’ citizens have a strong spiritual and cultural connection to the Great Lakes; Whereas the Saugeen Ojibway Nation exercised its Aboriginal and treaty rights by voting against the Ontario Power Generation building a permanent nuclear waste repository in Kincardine, Ontario; Whereas the protection of the Great Lakes is fundamental to treaty rights; and Whereas, during the 1980s, when the Department of Energy was studying potential sites for a permanent nuclear waste repository in the United States in accordance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 et seq. ), the Government of Canada expressed concern with locating a permanent nuclear waste repository within shared water basins of the 2 countries: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the Senate that— (1) the Government of Canada should not allow a permanent nuclear waste repository to be built within the Great Lakes Basin; (2) the President and the Secretary of State should take appropriate action to work with the Government of Canada to prevent a permanent nuclear waste repository from being built within the Great Lakes Basin; and (3) the President and the Secretary of State should work together with their counterparts in the Government of Canada on a solution for the long-term storage of nuclear waste that— (A) is safe and responsible; and (B) does not pose a threat to the Great Lakes. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres514is/xml/BILLS-117sres514is.xml |
117-sres-515 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 515 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2022 Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Young , Mr. Portman , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Booker , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Braun , Mr. Brown , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Mr. Coons , Mr. Cornyn , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Daines , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Fischer , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Hickenlooper , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Kelly , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Luján , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Peters , Mr. Reed , Mr. Risch , Mr. Romney , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mrs. Shaheen , Ms. Smith , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Tester , Mr. Thune , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Mr. Warnock , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Wyden ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month .
Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who are prepared for skilled professions; Whereas at least 15,000,000 new workers will be needed for the United States’ infrastructure in the next decade, including designing, building, and operating transportation, housing, utilities, and telecommunications; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has displaced millions of workers in the United States and fundamentally shifted entire industries within foundational aspects of the economy, creating significant demands for high-quality and efficient upskilling and reskilling opportunities to ensure a quick and equitable recovery; Whereas career and technical education (referred to in this preamble as CTE ) ensures that competitive and skilled workers are ready, willing, and capable of holding jobs in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career fields such as science, technology, engineering, art and design, mathematics, nursing, allied health, construction, information technology, energy sustainability, and many other career fields that are vital in keeping the United States competitive in the global economy; Whereas CTE helps the United States meet the very real and immediate challenges of economic development, student achievement, and global competitiveness; Whereas the United States has 30,000,000 jobs providing an average income of $55,000 per year that do not require a bachelor’s degree yet increasingly require some level of postsecondary education; Whereas over 11,000,000 students are enrolled in CTE across the country at the secondary and postsecondary levels, with CTE programs in thousands of CTE centers, comprehensive high schools, career academies, and CTE high schools, and nearly 1,000 2-year colleges; Whereas CTE matches employability skills with workforce demand and provides relevant academic and technical coursework leading to industry-recognized credentials for secondary, postsecondary, and adult learners; Whereas CTE affords students the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to secure careers in growing, high-demand fields; Whereas secondary CTE is associated with a lower probability of dropping out of high school and a higher likelihood of graduating on-time; Whereas, according to an American Federation of Teachers poll, 96 percent of parents approve of expanding access to CTE and other programs that prepare students for jobs; Whereas students at schools with highly integrated rigorous academic and CTE programs are significantly more likely to meet college and career readiness benchmarks than students at schools with less integrated programs; Whereas, in 2018, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE by passing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act ( Public Law 115–224 ), which supports program improvement in secondary and postsecondary CTE programs in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and outlying areas; and Whereas February 23, 2022, marks the 105th anniversary of the signing of the Act of February 23, 1917 (39 Stat. 929, commonly known as the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act of 1917 ), which was the first major Federal investment in secondary CTE and laid the foundation for the bipartisan, bicameral support for CTE that continues as of February 2022: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of February 2022 as Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States; (2) supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month; (3) recognizes the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in the United States; and (4) encourages educators, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals, administrators, and parents to promote career and technical education as a respected option for students. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres515ats/xml/BILLS-117sres515ats.xml |
117-sres-516 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 516 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2022 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Collins , Mr. Merkley , Mr. King , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Markey , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Brown , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Padilla , Ms. Smith , Ms. Hassan , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Coons , Ms. Stabenow , Ms. Baldwin , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Kelly , Mrs. Shaheen , and Mr. Sanders ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 7 through 11, 2022, as National School Counseling Week .
Whereas school counselors are more important now than ever, as the COVID–19 pandemic has magnified the mental health crisis among the youth of our Nation; Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated February 7 through 11, 2022, as National School Counseling Week ; Whereas school counselors have long advocated for equitable opportunities for all students; Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic learning, social and emotional development, and career exploration; Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to increased academic achievement; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for both college and careers; Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships; Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer learning environment for all students; Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and the United States; Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence; Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and social and emotional development; Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood; Whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints; Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is 424 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations; and Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week will increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates the week of February 7 through 11, 2022, as National School Counseling Week ; and (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe National School Counseling Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the role school counselors play in schools and the community at large in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres516ats/xml/BILLS-117sres516ats.xml |
117-sres-517 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 517 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 15, 2022 Mr. Schumer (for himself and Mr. McConnell ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION To authorize testimony and representation in United States v. Reffitt .
Whereas, in the case of United States v. Reffitt , Cr. No. 21–32, pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the prosecution has requested the production of testimony from Daniel Schwager, a former employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate; Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. §§ 288b(a) and 288c(a)(2), the Senate may direct its counsel to represent current and former officers and employees of the Senate with respect to any subpoena, order, or request for evidence relating to their official responsibilities; Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United States and Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate may, by the judicial or administrative process, be taken from such control or possession but by permission of the Senate; and Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control or in the possession of the Senate may promote the administration of justice, the Senate will take such action as will promote the ends of justice consistent with the privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
That Daniel Schwager, a former employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, is authorized to provide relevant testimony in the case of United States v. Reffitt , except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted. 2. The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to represent Mr. Schwager and any current or former officer or employee of his office in connection with the production of evidence authorized in section one of this resolution. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres517ats/xml/BILLS-117sres517ats.xml |
117-sres-518 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 518 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Warnock (for himself, Mr. Padilla , Ms. Stabenow , and Mr. Booker ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that in order to effectively address the high prevalence of individuals suffering from mental health conditions and substance use disorders, the United States needs to make historic financial investments into mental health and substance use disorder care and finally acknowledge such care as a priority in health care equal to physical health, and for other purposes.
Whereas there is an urgent need to improve our health care system to better integrate treatment of mental health and substance use disorders so they are no longer seen separately; Whereas, according to the World Health Organization, mental illness is severely underdiagnosed, and less than half of individuals who meet diagnostic criteria are identified; Whereas there is a pressing need to provide a comprehensive solution to fix our health care system that incorporates the needs and expertise of all its stakeholders, especially individuals who have expertise in mental health and substance use disorders; Whereas it is essential to remove the misguided association between mental illness and violence, driven by fear and misunderstanding; Whereas mental illness and substance use disorders have been underresearched, undertreated, and overstigmatized; Whereas stigma, vilification, and dismissal of mental illness and substance use— (1) create a culture that— (A) discourages utilization of mental health and substance use disorder services; and (B) lacks acknowledgment that struggling with a mental health condition or substance use disorder is not something to be ashamed of; and (2) can vary in prominence in different cultures and communities, and are particularly high among communities of color and minority communities; Whereas men, in particular, face cultural and societal barriers to seeking treatment for mental health concerns and substance use disorders, which can contribute to concerning outcomes including suicide and aggressive behavior; Whereas the bulk of mental health and substance use disorder services are reactive instead of proactive, treating patients when they are in crisis instead of incorporating services and screening earlier in an attempt to prevent such crises; Whereas there is a need to increase access to treatment, services, and social supports for everyone to proactively address the root causes of mental illness and substance use disorders; Whereas it is necessary to address the root causes of mental health concerns and substance use disorders; Whereas it is necessary to address suicide in a holistic manner and recognize and address suicidal ideation and not just the act of suicide in isolation; Whereas there is a need to address social determinants of health, which are conditions that directly and indirectly affect the health, health care, and wellness of individuals and communities, in order to effectively provide care for all individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorders; Whereas mental health impacts physical health, and physical health impacts mental health; Whereas the current health care system in the United States does not adequately incorporate mental health and substance use disorders into the assessment or delivery of care, as evidenced by the fact that all vital signs are currently for physical health alone and do not touch on mental health or substance use disorders; Whereas the lack of a united approach across the Federal Government to improve the care and related services for mental health and substance use disorders has left States and localities— (1) without adequate guidance or resources; (2) unable to provide the mental health and substance use disorder services needed to adequately meet the needs of their populations; and (3) unable to effectively distribute services to adequately meet the needs of their populations; Whereas there is a need for greater collaboration across all Federal agencies that touch various aspects of the health care system in order to fully incorporate the needs and concerns of everyone involved in the treatment and prevention of mental health and substance use disorders; Whereas there is a need for greater collaboration between Federal, State, and local agencies that touch on various aspects of the health care system; Whereas there is a need for a centralized location within the Federal Government for good, reliable information on mental health and substance use disorders for providers, patients, and caregivers; Whereas there is a need for standardized definitions, standards of care, and metrics for mental health and substance use disorders across disciplines; Whereas there is a need to change incentives for providers to better ensure everyone with mental health and substance use disorders gets access to the necessary care and treatment; Whereas 13 years after the date of enactment of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act of 2008 (subtitle B of title V of division C of Public Law 110–343 ), there is still a lack of compliance among insurers and failure to adequately cover mental health and substance use disorder services; Whereas Medicaid is the single largest payer of mental health and substance use disorder services, and reimbursement is far from adequate; Whereas there is a need to incentivize payers to adequately cover mental health and substance use disorder services in the same manner in which all specialty services are covered; Whereas there is a need to increase the number of mental health and substance use disorder providers; Whereas 55 percent of counties in the United States do not have a single psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker; Whereas only 10 percent of individuals in the United States suffering from a substance use disorder receive specialty treatment; Whereas there is a need to increase access to and utilization of telemedicine for mental health and substance use disorder services, both within States and across State lines; Whereas there is a need for a better way to share information among providers to better serve patient needs while still protecting patient privacy; Whereas there is a need for consistent care coordination and more effective transition services for patients moving between hospitals and the community; Whereas safe housing needs to be recognized as a basic requirement for successful treatment and needs to be better addressed in the transition of care; Whereas there is a need to improve social determinants of health, such as increased access to stable housing and jobs, for individuals suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders to have a sustained recovery; Whereas there is a need to provide care in more appropriate and integrated settings for all patients, such as treating geriatric patients in their homes as opposed to nursing homes, when appropriate, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. ) and the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999); Whereas there is a need for greater focus on intensive outpatient, partial hospitalizations, residential programs, day programs, supported housing, assertive community treatment, mobile crisis services, peer support services, supported employment, and community-based services for adults with mental illness and substance use disorders; Whereas there is a need to ensure that services support individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders to participate fully in their communities and live and thrive independently; Whereas there is a need to address isolation issues geriatric patients face, which can negatively impact their mental health; Whereas 30 percent of first responders experience mental health conditions, such as depression and post-traumatic stress, and have higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt than the rest of the population; Whereas depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and psychosis are some of the most common conditions women experience pre- and postpartum; Whereas unmet parental mental health and substance use disorder treatment and service needs contribute to increased involvement with the child welfare system, which leads to preventable foster care placements, given that— (1) in 2018, 262,956 children entered foster care, with the leading reasons related to mental health and substance use disorder needs of the parents, with— (A) 36 percent of children entering care as a result of parental drug abuse; (B) 14 percent of children entering care as a result of the inability to cope of the caretaker; and (C) 5 percent of children entering care as a result of parental alcohol abuse; (2) even when necessary to ensure the safety of a child, foster care itself creates additional trauma for both the child and family; and (3) longstanding racial inequities in child welfare services create disproportionate child welfare involvement for Black, Native, and Latinx children and families, which exacerbates the experiences of trauma for those families and contributes to health disparities while not resulting in needed access to quality mental health and substance use disorder services; Whereas children and adolescents have unique needs when it comes to mental health and substance use disorders and the services provided, given that— (1) 45 percent of children have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have the potential to significantly impact the mental health of the children; (2) in the last 5 years, 49.4 percent of children who needed mental health services did not receive the necessary services, and there is a need for improved access to appropriate treatment services, which must focus on community-based supports and services available near their home, in order to effectively prevent children from experiencing a mental health crisis; (3) many children suffering and struggling go undiagnosed and are not adequately supported, and there is a need to improve training and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders for educators since often there are barriers to mental health and substance use disorder treatment in a school setting; (4) 42 percent of school districts have reported using threat assessment and risk assessment teams, an approach created by the United States Secret Service that involves identifying, evaluating, and taking action on assumed current or potential threats, which— (A) can cause significant harm to the mental health and emotional well-being of children; (B) has compounded existent stigma for groups of students; (C) has had a disproportionate impact on students of color by initiating criminal justice involvement in lieu of more appropriate services; and (D) has had a disproportionate impact on students with disabilities; (5) families and caregivers need to be included when treating children suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders; and (6) when children turn 18 years old they are cut off from mental health and substance use disorder services, which impacts continuity of care; Whereas there is a growing need for mental health and substance use disorder services among young adults and college-aged adults, and between 2007 and 2017, for individuals aged 18 to 34, there was a— (1) 108 percent increase in drug-related deaths; (2) 69 percent increase in alcohol-induced deaths; and (3) 35 percent increase in suicide deaths; Whereas, despite the rising need for mental health and substance use disorder treatment by young adults, there continues to be disparities in accessing care experienced by young adults of color; Whereas 5,500,000 veterans and servicemembers rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs for health services, and 1,500,000 veterans have received a mental health diagnosis, and— (1) 1 in 4 active duty members shows signs of a mental health condition; (2) the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (referred to in this preamble as PTSD) is 15 times higher in servicemembers than compared to civilians due to military combat and military sexual assault and trauma; (3) the rate of depression is 5 times higher in servicemembers as compared to civilians; (4) every day, 17 veterans die by suicide; (5) there is a fear of disclosing mental health conditions and substance use disorders and seeking treatment due to negative career implications; and (6) less than 50 percent of veterans receive the mental health treatment and services they need; Whereas 11 percent of individuals entering the Department of Veterans Affairs health system meet the criteria for a substance use disorder; Whereas veterans are more likely to have an alcohol use disorder than civilians; Whereas 2 in 10 veterans with PTSD have a comorbid substance use disorder, and 1 in 3 veterans seeking services for a substance use disorder also has PTSD, showing the interconnectedness between these conditions; Whereas there is a need to better educate all individuals in the criminal justice system on the impact and needs of individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders; Whereas the United States criminal justice system is the largest provider of mental health services, and it was not built, nor intended to be used, for that purpose, and— (1) there are around 550,000 individuals incarcerated in the United States with serious mental illness; (2) 1 in 5 individuals incarcerated in the United States has a serious mental illness; and (3) of those incarcerated, 75 percent with a serious mental illness suffer from a co-occurring substance use disorder; Whereas there is a need for incentives to reduce inappropriate incarceration and detention for individuals with mental health and substance use disorder needs; Whereas one-third of individuals incarcerated in the United States receive treatment for mental illness, and many times treatment is inconsistent and inadequate, and there is a need for improved access to services and treatments that are also trauma-informed; Whereas there is a need to have mental health, substance use disorder, and diversion services available at all intercepts of the Sequential Intercept Model, a model developed to inform more appropriate community-based responses and divert individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders; Whereas there is a need to improve levels of coordination, care management, and insurance coverage before, during, and after incarceration; Whereas post-release navigation is key to keeping individuals from reentering the criminal justice system; Whereas there is insufficient understanding of the mental health effects of incarceration; Whereas there is a need to redefine the juvenile justice system to account for age and development reflecting the most up-to-date scientific consensus on brain development and behavior and ensuring that there are developmental and age appropriate services; Whereas the juvenile justice system must fulfill its purpose of supporting, rehabilitating, and treating children in need rather than punishing them, given that— (1) studies have shown that 70 percent of youth in detention have a diagnosed mental illness, and 60 percent of those youths may also meet the criteria for a substance use disorder; (2) 90 percent of individuals in the juvenile justice system have been exposed to trauma or violence, which may increase the likelihood of juvenile justice involvement; (3) entry into the juvenile justice system may exacerbate the existing mental health and substance use disorder concerns of youths, particularly in the absence of consistent screening and treatment for these conditions; and (4) an estimated 33 percent of children in long-term juvenile justice facilities have intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities and were receiving special education services, and therefore there is a need to have specific services and programs within the juvenile justice system with a focus on their needs; Whereas there is a need for services in the juvenile justice system to be trauma-informed and developed for high-need individuals; Whereas studies show that 41.2 percent of individuals who are diagnosed with a substance use disorder are also diagnosed with a mental illness, which is likely an underestimate in light of the current barriers to identifying and reporting mental health concerns; Whereas, given the high co-occurrence with mental illness, comprehensive care for substance use disorders should include access to psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, contingency management, recovery support, all evidence-based medication-assisted treatment, a multidisciplinary staff, and group therapy for adults, and— (1) addiction treatment centers should either offer or have available comprehensive care and support and have the ability to treat mental illness as well as substance use disorders; and (2) to allow for treatment flexibility to fit the needs of the patient, there is a need to increase access to all evidence-based medication-assisted treatment in prisons, jails, and all addiction treatment centers; Whereas there are inequities in access, availability, and quality for mental health and substance use disorder services for minority communities, and— (1) there is greater stigma among racial and ethnic minority populations; (2) racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by disabilities that result from mental health conditions; and (3) only 31 percent of African Americans and Hispanics and 22 percent of Asians receive mental health care compared to 48 percent of Caucasians; Whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (referred to in this preamble as LGBTQ) individuals are more than twice as likely to suffer from mental health conditions and substance use disorders than heterosexual individuals, and— (1) 29 percent of LGBTQ youths attempt suicide, which is almost 5 times more than heterosexual youths; (2) approximately 31 percent of LGBTQ older adults report symptoms of depression, and 39 percent report seriously thinking about suicide; (3) 30.8 percent of transgender individuals report considering suicide compared to 2.3 percent of heterosexual individuals; and (4) of the 4,890 transgender individuals incarcerated in State prisons, only 15 were confirmed as being housed according to their lived gender, while not being housed according to lived gender poses a significant threat to mental health; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has highlighted the gaps in our health system when it comes to mental health and substance use disorder services and shown how sheltering in place and isolating can impact mental health and substance use, specifically showing— (1) that 47 percent of individuals in the United States report that the pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health, with 21 percent saying that it has had a major negative impact; (2) a significant increase in the number of calls to suicide prevention hotlines; (3) a 1,000 percent increase in texts to the mental health hotline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to about 20,000 texts in April 2020; (4) a 55 percent increase in alcohol sales; (5) a record high of more than 100,000 overdose fatalities between May 2020 and April 2021, driven by increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and use of substances; and (6) an increase in burnout and mental health conditions among healthcare providers, with 49 percent experiencing burnout and 38 percent experiencing anxiety or depression; and Whereas there is a need for a population health approach that examines the distribution of health across populations and focuses attention on the need to provide access to the best evidence-based treatment for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders who need clinical intervention in order to effectively reduce or mitigate the impact of risk factors that lead to psychological distress among individuals in high-risk populations: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the Senate that in order to effectively address the high prevalence of individuals suffering from mental health conditions and substance use disorders, the United States needs to make historic financial investments into mental health and substance use disorder care and finally acknowledge such care as a priority in health care, equal to physical health, and recognize that— (1) mental health and physical health need to be treated together to treat the whole patient; (2) patient care needs to be patient-focused; (3) mental health and substance use disorder care needs to be proactive and treat individuals before they are in crisis; (4) any stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders is completely unwarranted and serves as a barrier to care; (5) the Federal Government needs to create a comprehensive approach to improving the health care system that incorporates mental health and substance use disorders and includes system reform that— (A) aims to break down silos across the Federal, State, local, and Tribal levels for improved communication and care coordination; (B) provides a Federal framework to States, localities, and Indian Tribes that connects agencies and services so they can have guidance when working to address the mental health and substance use disorder needs of their communities; (C) incentivizes providers to see both more complex and less complex patients and to see patients in rural and underserved areas; (D) expects insurers to comply with parity laws and holds them accountable for not providing parity of mental health and substance use disorder services and treatments; and (E) requires both public and private payers to have higher reimbursement rates for mental health and substance use disorder services that are on par with medical and surgical services; (6) the Federal Government needs to create a comprehensive approach to improving the health care system that incorporates mental health and substance use disorders and that includes system improvements that— (A) focus on early screening, diagnosis, and intervention across the care continuum to prevent mental health crises; (B) improve the ability of families to access timely, affordable, and high-quality treatment and services; (C) strengthen mental health and substance use disorder services in schools and ensure there is engagement from all stakeholders; (D) improve and expand community-based services so individuals have access to services locally; (E) improve care coordination across treatment settings so patients have services when needed and do not have to navigate the system themselves; (F) promote a sustained recovery that includes social determinants of health, such as housing, jobs, and childcare; (G) can adjust to meet the needs of each individual to provide the best care for each individual; (H) ensure seamless transitions in care when moving through steps or processes; (I) end the criminalization of mental illness and substance use disorders and increase programs for diversion that connect individuals to treatment, social supports, and social services; (J) provide access to high-quality and evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder care for individuals who are incarcerated; (K) create young adult services and programs within the criminal justice system for individuals who are aged 18 to 25 to successfully reduce recidivism and that are informed by neuropsychological brain science; (L) incorporate apprenticeship or job training programs into the criminal justice system, particularly for youth, to empower them and reduce recidivism; (M) ensure cultural congruence so everyone in need of mental health and substance use disorder care has services that meet their needs; (N) adopt a population health approach as a tool to help address ongoing disparities in access to mental health and substance use disorder care by youth and adults of color; (O) ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, communities of color, and immigrants have access to mental health and substance use disorder services that are culturally appropriate, are in the necessary language, and address any unique stigma from their communities; (P) enable veterans to access timely mental health and substance use disorder care that ensures continuity and is free of any administrative burdens; (Q) include training for educators, first responders, and clinicians to identify indicators of mental health conditions and substance use disorders and to reduce stigma and bias related to these conditions so they can respond in a more productive way and connect individuals with more appropriate services; (R) support health care providers by addressing their mental health and substance use disorder needs to reduce burnout; (S) provide a process by which States can work with other States to reconcile licensure and certification for and reimbursement to mental health and substance use disorder providers across State lines for the purpose of telemedicine; (T) leverage the current mental health and substance use disorder workforce by reducing administrative burdens to allow mental health and substance use disorder providers to perform to their highest level of licensure and certification; and (U) expand training opportunities and grow the workforce by partnering with schools and programs to provide free education to individuals who work in rural or underserved areas; (7) expanded access to mental health and substance use disorder care is essential to improving health and well-being; (8) all individuals in the United States deserve access to mental health and substance use disorder care without any barriers, such as cost or location of services; and (9) the United States needs to comprehensively break down all barriers to receiving access to mental health and substance use disorder care, including financial burdens and location hurdles. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres518is/xml/BILLS-117sres518is.xml |
117-sres-519 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 519 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Portman , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Risch , Mr. Coons , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Carper , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Warnock , Mr. Graham , Mr. Bennet , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Hickenlooper , Mr. Burr , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Romney , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Hoeven , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mr. Brown , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Blackburn , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Cassidy , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Moran , Mr. King , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Peters , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Sullivan , Ms. Collins , and Mr. Heinrich ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Supporting an independent and democratic Ukraine against any further Russian military invasion, and for other purposes.
Whereas, on January 21, 1990, more than 300,000 Ukrainians called for unity and independence from the Soviet Union by forming a human chain between the cities of Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk; Whereas, on August 24, 1991, the elected Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared the independence of Ukraine from the Soviet Union with an overwhelming majority vote; Whereas, on December 1, 1991, more than 90 percent of Ukrainian citizens voted in a national referendum in support of independence, with majorities in every region; Whereas, on February 8, 1994, Ukraine was the first member state of the Commonwealth of Independent States to join the Partnership for Peace program of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and has since deepened its relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, recognized as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner; Whereas, on December 5, 1994, in an effort to solidify security commitments to Ukraine in return for its nuclear disarmament, the United States, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, whereby each country pledged to respect the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine’s borders while refraining from the threat or use of force against Ukraine; Whereas, on November 22, 2004, Ukrainians peacefully took to the streets in protest of a fraudulent presidential election, beginning the Orange Revolution and resulting in new elections under free and fair conditions; Whereas, on November 21, 2013, the Euromaidan protests began in favor of signing the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement, resulting in the Revolution of Dignity and the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych by the Verkhovna Rada; Whereas, on February 20, 2014, the Russian Federation invaded the independent state of Ukraine, which continues to confront malign Russian activity, including the ongoing attempted annexation of Crimea, conflict in the Donbas region, and threats to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov; Whereas, on February 12, 2015, a new package of measures to end the conflict in Ukraine, known as Minsk II , was signed, provisions of which have still not yet been fully implemented; Whereas at least 14,000 Ukrainians have been killed defending their homeland and millions more displaced since the conflict with Russia began; Whereas, on September 1, 2017, the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement came into effect; Whereas, in March and November 2021, the Russian Federation deployed a massive troop and weapons buildup on the border with Ukraine; Whereas, on January 28, 2022, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, Our aim is …to convey a clear message to Russia … if they use military force against Ukraine it will have severe consequences. NATO allies are ready to impose heavy economic sanctions—political, financial sanctions. ; Whereas, on February 12, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the West will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs if Russia further invades Ukraine; and Whereas, on December 12, 2021, at a meeting in Liverpool, delegates of the Group of Seven (G7) released a joint statement saying, Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response…We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future. : Now, therefore, be it
1. Sense of the Senate The Senate— (1) commends the courage, resolve, and restraint shown by the Ukrainian people in their pursuit of sovereignty and democracy, and pays tribute to the many men and women who gave their lives in pursuit of a free and democratic Ukraine; (2) reaffirms unwavering United States support for a secure, democratic, and independent Ukraine, free to choose its own leaders and future; (3) condemns the illegal military invasion of Ukraine, the attempted annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014, and the violence fomented by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine, an active conflict that continues in 2022; (4) reaffirms unwavering United States commitment to support the continuing efforts of the Government of Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity by providing political, diplomatic, and military support, including additional lethal and non-lethal security assistance to strengthen the defense capabilities of Ukraine; (5) denounces the Russian military buildup of over 150,000 troops on Ukraine’s border, including in Belarus, threatening the security of bordering NATO allies as provocative and reckless, contrary to established international norms; (6) condemns the Russian Federation’s continued disregard of international maritime law by partially blocking parts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which hamper freedom of navigation exercises and significantly impact Ukraine’s economy; (7) encourages the President that, should any further invasion or other malign activity to undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine occur by Russia, the United States Government should use the tools at its disposal to impose significant costs on the Russian Federation to restore peace in Europe; and (8) encourages unity among NATO allies and the broader transatlantic community to convey solidarity in response to Russia’s unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. 2. Rule of construction Nothing in this resolution may be construed as— (1) a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force against the Russian Federation; or (2) authorization for the introduction of the United States Armed Forces into Ukraine. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres519ats/xml/BILLS-117sres519ats.xml |
117-sres-520 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 520 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Tester (for himself, Ms. Collins , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Booker , Mr. Braun , Mr. Brown , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Mr. Coons , Mr. Durbin , Mrs. Feinstein , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Heinrich , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Luján , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Markey , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Murphy , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Reed , Ms. Rosen , Mrs. Shaheen , Ms. Smith , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Warner , Ms. Warren , and Mr. Wyden ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 21 through February 25, 2022, as Public Schools Week .
Whereas public education is a significant institution in a 21st-century democracy; Whereas public schools in the United States are where students come to be educated about the values and beliefs that hold the individuals of the United States together as a nation; Whereas public schools prepare young individuals of the United States to contribute to the society, economy, and citizenry of the country; Whereas 90 percent of children in the United States attend public schools; Whereas Federal, State, and local lawmakers should— (1) prioritize support for strengthening the public schools of the United States; (2) empower superintendents, principals, and other school leaders to implement, manage, and lead school districts and schools in partnership with educators, parents, and other local education stakeholders; and (3) support services and programs that are critical to helping students engage in learning, including counseling, extracurricular activities, and mental health support; Whereas public schools should foster inclusive, safe, and high-quality environments in which children can learn to think critically, problem solve, and build relationships; Whereas public schools should provide environments in which all students have the opportunity to succeed beginning in their earliest years, regardless of who a student is or where a student lives; Whereas Congress should support— (1) efforts to advance equal opportunity and excellence in public education; (2) efforts to implement evidence-based practices in public education; and (3) continuous improvements to public education; Whereas every child should— (1) receive an education that helps the child reach the full potential of the child; and (2) attend a school that offers a high-quality educational experience; Whereas Federal funding, in addition to State and local funds, supports the access of students to inviting classrooms, well-prepared educators, and services to support healthy students, including nutrition and afterschool programs; Whereas teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals should provide students with a well-rounded education and strive to create joy in learning; Whereas superintendents, principals, other school leaders, teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents make public schools vital components of communities and are working hard to improve educational outcomes for children across the country; and Whereas the week of February 21 through February 25, 2022, is an appropriate period to designate as Public Schools Week : Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate designates the week of February 21 through February 25, 2022, as Public Schools Week . | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres520ats/xml/BILLS-117sres520ats.xml |
117-sres-521 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 521 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mr. Warnock , Mrs. Capito , Ms. Cantwell , Mr. Wicker , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Moran , Mr. King , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Carper , Mr. Burr , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Grassley , Ms. Smith , Mr. Graham , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Young , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Hagerty , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Reed , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Merkley , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Markey , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Coons , Mr. Van Hollen , Ms. Warren , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Luján , Mr. Casey , Mr. Murphy , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Brown , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Warner , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Whitehouse , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Sanders , Mr. Kaine , Ms. Hirono , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Schatz , Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Peters , Mr. Heinrich , and Mr. Scott of Florida ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Celebrating Black History Month.
Whereas, in 1776, people envisioned the United States as a new nation dedicated to the proposition stated in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ; Whereas Africans were first brought involuntarily to the shores of the United States as early as the 17th century; Whereas African Americans suffered enslavement and subsequently faced the injustices of lynch mobs, segregation, and denial of the basic and fundamental rights of citizenship; Whereas, in 2022, the vestiges of those injustices and inequalities remain evident in the society of the United States; Whereas, in the face of injustices, people of good will and of all races in the United States have distinguished themselves with a commitment to the noble ideals on which the United States was founded and have fought courageously for the rights and freedom of African Americans and others; Whereas African Americans, such as Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth, Maya Angelou, Arthur Ashe, Jr., James Baldwin, James Beckwourth, Clara Brown, Blanche Bruce, Ralph Bunche, Shirley Chisholm, Holt Collier, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Larry Doby, Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, Ralph Ellison, Medgar Evers, Aretha Franklin, Alex Haley, Dorothy Height, Jon Hendricks, Olivia Hooker, Lena Horne, Charles Hamilton Houston, Mahalia Jackson, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, B.B. King, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Thurgood Marshall, Constance Baker Motley, Rosa Parks, Walter Payton, Bill Pickett, Homer Plessy, Bass Reeves, Hiram Revels, Amelia Platts Boynton Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Aaron Shirley, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, the Greensboro Four, the Tuskegee Airmen, Prince Rogers Nelson, Recy Taylor, Fred Shuttlesworth, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Muhammad Ali, Elijah Cummings, Ella Fitzgerald, Mamie Till, Toni Morrison, Gwen Ifill, Diahann Carroll, Chadwick Boseman, John Lewis, Katherine Johnson, Rev. C.T. Vivian, Hank Aaron, Edith Savage-Jennings, Septima Clark, Mary Mcleod Bethune, Cicely Tyson, John Hope Franklin, Colin Powell, bell hooks, Bob Moses, Sidney Poitier, and Chief Justice of South Carolina Ernest Finney, along with many others, worked against racism to achieve success and to make significant contributions to the economic, educational, political, artistic, athletic, literary, scientific, and technological advancement of the United States; Whereas the contributions of African Americans from all walks of life throughout the history of the United States reflect the greatness of the United States; Whereas many African Americans lived, toiled, and died in obscurity, never achieving the recognition those individuals deserved, and yet paved the way for future generations to succeed; Whereas African Americans continue to serve the United States at the highest levels of business, government, and the military; Whereas the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass inspired the creation of Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month; Whereas Negro History Week represented the culmination of the efforts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History , to enhance knowledge of Black history through The Journal of Negro History, published by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland; Whereas Black History Month, celebrated during the month of February, originated in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson set aside a special period in February to recognize the heritage and achievements of Black people in the United States; Whereas Dr. Carter G. Woodson stated, We have a wonderful history behind us. . . . If you are unable to demonstrate to the world that you have this record, the world will say to you, You are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of democracy or anything else. ; Whereas, since its founding, the United States has imperfectly progressed toward noble goals; Whereas the history of the United States is the story of people regularly affirming high ideals, striving to reach those ideals but often failing, and then struggling to come to terms with the disappointment of that failure, before committing to try again; Whereas, on November 4, 2008, the people of the United States elected Barack Obama, an African-American man, as President of the United States; and Whereas, on February 22, 2012, people across the United States celebrated the groundbreaking of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened to the public on September 24, 2016, on the National Mall in Washington, District of Columbia: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) acknowledges that all people of the United States are the recipients of the wealth of history provided by Black culture; (2) recognizes the importance of Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on the complex history of the United States, while remaining hopeful and confident about the path ahead; (3) acknowledges the significance of Black History Month as an important opportunity to commemorate the tremendous contributions of African Americans to the history of the United States; (4) encourages the celebration of Black History Month to provide a continuing opportunity for all people in the United States to learn from the past and understand the experiences that have shaped the United States; and (5) agrees that, while the United States began as a divided country, the United States must— (A) honor the contribution of all pioneers in the United States who have helped to ensure the legacy of the great United States; and (B) move forward with purpose, united tirelessly as a nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. . | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres521ats/xml/BILLS-117sres521ats.xml |
117-sres-522 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 522 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Congratulating the Los Angeles Rams on their victory in Super Bowl LVI.
Whereas, on Sunday, February 13, 2022, the Los Angeles Rams (referred to in this preamble as the Rams ) won Super Bowl LVI by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 23 to 20; Whereas the Rams became the second team in the history of the National Football League (referred to in this preamble as the NFL ) to win a Super Bowl championship game on their home field, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; Whereas the Rams won— (1) the second Super Bowl championship in the history of the franchise and the first NFL championship game played in Los Angeles since 1951; (2) in the National Football Conference (referred to in this preamble as the NFC ) Wild Card round by defeating the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 34 to 11 on January 17, 2022; (3) in the NFC Divisional round by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 30 to 27 on January 23, 2022; and (4) the NFC championship by defeating the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 20 to 17 on January 30, 2022; Whereas wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who went from an underrated recruit at A.C. Davis High School in Yakima, Washington, to a standout player at Eastern Washington University, had 8 receptions for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, rushed 1 time for 7 yards, and was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LVI; Whereas Cooper Kupp became the first player in NFL history to win the receiving triple crown, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player in the same season; Whereas quarterback Matthew Stafford orchestrated game-winning drives in 3 consecutive playoff games; Whereas 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 7-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald sealed the game with his second sack; Whereas Sean McVay became the youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach in NFL history; Whereas the Rams were led by their team captains Aaron Donald, Jordan Fuller, Johnny Hekker, Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, Matthew Stafford, 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Andrew Whitworth, and Robert Woods; Whereas the entire Rams roster contributed to the Super Bowl LVI victory, including Cam Akers, Brian Allen, Tremayne Anchrum, Jr., Tutu Atwell, Odell Beckham, Jr., Kendall Blanton, Bobby Brown III, Terrell Burgess, Raymond Calais, Marquise Copeland, Austin Corbett, Blake Countess, Dont’e Deayon, Jamil Demby, Aaron Donald, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Leonard Floyd, Jordan Fuller, Jake Funk, Greg Gaines, Chris Garrett, Matt Gay, Jake Gervase, Grant Haley, Jacob Harris, Rob Havenstein, Johnny Hekker, Darrell Henderson, Jr., Tyler Higbee, Michael Hoecht, Justin Hollins, Brycen Hopkins, Travin Howard, Buddy Howell, AJ Jackson, Van Jefferson, Ernest Jones, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Cooper Kupp, Terrell Lewis, David Long, Jr., Sony Michel, Von Miller, Johnny Mundt, Joe Noteboom, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Matthew Orzech, Bryce Perkins, Brandon Powell, Jalen Ramsey, Taylor Rapp, Troy Reeder, A’Shawn Robinson, Robert Rochell, Christian Rozeboom, Nick Scott, Coleman Shelton, Ben Skowronek, Matthew Stafford, Eric Weddle, Andrew Whitworth, Darious Williams, John Wolford, and Robert Woods; Whereas, before kickoff at SoFi Stadium, commonly known as the Rams House , the NFL honored the legacies of 4 Black football players who broke the color barrier in professional football in 1946: Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, who played for the Los Angeles Rams, and William Bill K. Willis and Marion Motley, who played for the Cleveland Browns; Whereas West Coast hip-hop and rap took center stage with a halftime performance headlined by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar; and Whereas, since 2014, Los Angeles professional sports teams have won titles in the NFL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, and the Women’s National Basketball Association: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates the Los Angeles Rams and their fans on their victory in Super Bowl LVI; (2) recognizes the achievements of all the players, coaches, and staff who contributed to the victory; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Rams, E. Stanley Kroenke; (B) the chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Rams, Kevin Demoff; and (C) the general manager of the Los Angeles Rams, Les Snead. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres522ats/xml/BILLS-117sres522ats.xml |
117-sres-523 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 523 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Barrasso , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Booker , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Markey , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , and Mr. Casey ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating February 28, 2022, as Rare Disease Day .
Whereas a rare disease or disorder is a disease or disorder that affects a small number of patients; Whereas, in the United States, a rare disease or disorder affects fewer than 200,000 individuals; Whereas, as of the date of the adoption of this resolution, more than 7,000 rare diseases or disorders affect approximately 1 in 10 individuals in the United States; Whereas children with rare diseases or disorders account for a significant portion of the population affected by rare diseases or disorders in the United States; Whereas many rare diseases and disorders are serious and life-threatening and lack effective treatments; Whereas, as a result of the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act ( Public Law 97–414 ; 96 Stat. 2049), important advances have been made in the research and treatment of rare diseases and disorders; Whereas the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made strides in gathering patient perspectives to inform the drug review process as part of the Patient-Focused Drug Development program, an initiative that was reaffirmed under the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 ( Public Law 115–52 ; 131 Stat. 1005); Whereas, although the Food and Drug Administration has approved more than 1,000 orphan indications for drugs and biological products for the treatment of rare diseases and disorders, 95 percent of rare diseases do not have an FDA-approved treatment for their condition; Whereas limited treatment options and difficulty obtaining reimbursement for life-altering and lifesaving treatments can be challenging for individuals with rare diseases or disorders and their families; Whereas rare diseases and disorders include sickle cell anemia, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, thyroid eye disease, myotonic dystrophy, t-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, microtia, meatal atresia, and conductive deafness; Whereas individuals with rare diseases or disorders can experience difficulty in obtaining accurate diagnoses and finding physicians or treatment centers with expertise in their rare disease or disorder; Whereas the 116th Congress passed a 4-year extension of the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program under section 529(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 360ff(b) ) as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 ; 134 Stat. 1182), providing an incentive for the development of therapies for children with rare diseases; Whereas the 116th Congress passed the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act ( Public Law 116–16 ; 133 Stat. 852), improving access to coordinated, patient-centered health care for children with complex and rare medical conditions in Medicaid; Whereas the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health support research on the treatment of rare diseases and disorders; Whereas 2022 marks the 39th anniversary of the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act ( Public Law 97–414 ; 96 Stat. 2049); Whereas Rare Disease Day is observed each year on the last day of February; Whereas Rare Disease Day is a global event that was first observed in the United States on February 28, 2009, and was observed in more than 100 countries in 2021; and Whereas Rare Disease Day is expected to be observed globally for years to come, providing hope and information for rare disease and disorder patients around the world: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates February 28, 2022, as Rare Disease Day ; and (2) recognizes the importance of, with respect to rare diseases and disorders— (A) improving awareness; (B) encouraging accurate and early diagnosis; and (C) supporting national and global efforts to develop effective treatments, diagnostics, and cures. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres523ats/xml/BILLS-117sres523ats.xml |
117-sres-524 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 524 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Young (for himself, Mr. Coons , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Risch , Mr. Hagerty , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Grassley , Ms. Lummis , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Crapo , Mrs. Capito , Ms. Ernst , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Moran , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Romney , Mr. Tuberville , Mr. Thune , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Graham , Mr. Daines , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Scott of South Carolina , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Hawley , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Ms. Collins , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Braun , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Booker , Mr. Carper , Mr. Casey , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Kelly , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Merkley , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Warnock , Mr. Wyden , Ms. Smith , and Mr. Scott of Florida ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of February 19 through February 26, 2022, as National FFA Week , recognizing the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and celebrating 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine, originally called The National Future Farmer, now called New Horizons.
Whereas the National FFA Organization (referred to in this preamble as FFA ) was established in 1928; Whereas the mission of FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education; Whereas FFA has 735,038 members in 8,817 chapters in all 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC; Whereas FFA welcomes all students; Whereas more than 13,000 FFA advisors and agricultural education teachers deliver an integrated model of agricultural education, providing students with an innovative and cutting-edge education; Whereas 2022 marks 70 years of FFA’s membership magazine, originally called The National Future Farmer, now called New Horizons; Whereas there are more than 8,000,000 FFA alumni worldwide; Whereas members of FFA collectively earn more than $4,000,000,000 annually through work-based learning experiences or supervised agricultural experiences; and Whereas members of FFA will celebrate National FFA Week during the week of February 19 through February 26, 2022: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) supports the designation of February 19 through February 26, 2022, as National FFA Week ; (2) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world; and (3) celebrates 70 years of the National FFA Organization’s membership magazine, originally called The National Future Farmer, now called New Horizons. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres524ats/xml/BILLS-117sres524ats.xml |
117-sres-525 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 525 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Ms. Lummis , Mr. Daines , Mr. Risch , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Tester , Mr. King , Mr. Braun , Mr. Rounds , Mr. Manchin , Mr. Cruz , and Mr. Heinrich ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing March 1, 2022, as the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, which spans the States of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Whereas Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world, was established to share the wonders and preserve and protect the scenery, cultural heritage, wildlife, and geologic and ecological systems and processes in their natural condition for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations; Whereas human history in the Yellowstone area dates back more than 11,000 years; Whereas the location of Greater Yellowstone at the convergence of the Great Plains, Great Basin, and Columbia Plateau Indian cultures means that many Native American Tribes have traditional connections to the land and its resources; Whereas, for thousands of years before the designation of the national park, the Greater Yellowstone area was a place where Native Americans hunted, fished, gathered plants, quarried obsidian, and used the thermal waters for religious and medicinal purposes; Whereas many Native American Tribes are associated with Yellowstone National Park, including— (1) Assiniboine and Sioux; (2) Blackfeet; (3) Cheyenne River Sioux; (4) Coeur d’Alene; (5) Comanche; (6) Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; (7) Crow; (8) Crow Creek Sioux; (9) Eastern Shoshone; (10) Flandreau Santee Sioux; (11) Gros Ventre and Assiniboine; (12) Kiowa; (13) Little Shell Chippewa; (14) Lower Brule Sioux; (15) Nez Perce; (16) Northern Arapaho; (17) Northern Cheyenne; (18) Oglala Sioux; (19) Rosebud Sioux; (20) Salish and Kootenai; (21) Shoshone–Bannock; (22) Sisseton Wahpeton; (23) Spirit Lake; (24) Standing Rock Sioux; (25) Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa; (26) Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation; and (27) Yankton Sioux; Whereas the Yellowstone area was visited by fur traders and explorers during the early 1800s and by organized expeditions in the 1860s and 1870s that reported the abundant resources and immense value of the region to Congress; Whereas painter Thomas Moran and photographer William Henry Jackson accompanied the first geographical survey of the Yellowstone area in 1871 and returned from the expedition with visual evidence of the grandeur that earlier explorers could only describe with words; Whereas, on March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, which states, The tract of land . . . lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River . . . is reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. ; Whereas Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the world, an idea that has spread throughout the world; Whereas Yellowstone National Park is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the last, largest, nearly intact natural ecosystems on the planet, where natural processes operate in an ecological context that has been subject to little human alteration; Whereas the Federal Government has made substantial efforts to maintain ecological balance within Yellowstone National Park through wildlife conservation and partnership efforts; Whereas Yellowstone National Park is 3,472 square miles and more than 2,000,000 acres in size; Whereas Yellowstone National Park contains half of the world’s hydrothermal features, with more than 10,000 in total and more than 500 active geysers, including the Old Faithful Geyser; Whereas Yellowstone National Park has the most active, diverse, and intact collections of combined geothermal, geologic, and hydrologic features and systems on Earth, including the Grand Prismatic Spring; Whereas Yellowstone National Park has 67 species of mammals, 285 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles, and 5 species of amphibians within its boundaries; Whereas Yellowstone National Park has the largest free-ranging bison herd in North America; Whereas Yellowstone National Park has over 1,000 native flowering species and 9 species of conifers; Whereas Yellowstone National Park has more than 900 historic buildings and 25 sites, landmarks, and districts on the National Register of Historic Places; Whereas Yellowstone National Park has more than 720,000 museum items that document the park and the western United States from pre-history through the present; Whereas the United States Army managed Yellowstone National Park between 1886 and 1918; Whereas more than 1,850 archeological sites have been documented in Yellowstone National Park; Whereas Yellowstone National Park hosts over 4,000,000 visits annually, with people from across the world traveling to the park to enjoy the many recreational opportunities, including hiking, horseback riding, biking, camping, rafting, boating, swimming, fishing, viewing wildlife and geothermal features, photography, and exploring, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars into local and State economies in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho; Whereas, in 2020, visitors to Yellowstone National Park spent over $444,000,000 in gateway communities and supported 6,110 jobs in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, with a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $560,000,000; Whereas Yellowstone National Park partners with concessioners that provide services for the general public, including lodging, dining, shopping, and medical services; and Whereas the National Park Service employs hundreds of permanent and seasonal staff dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural resources of Yellowstone National Park for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of current and future generations: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates Yellowstone National Park on its sesquicentennial anniversary; (2) celebrates 150 years of the unique cultural heritage and natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park; and (3) encourages people across the United States and around the world to visit Yellowstone National Park to experience this extraordinary treasure. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres525ats/xml/BILLS-117sres525ats.xml |
117-sres-526 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 526 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Cornyn , Ms. Rosen , Mr. Grassley , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Risch , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Kaine , Mrs. Blackburn , Ms. Sinema , Mr. Boozman , Ms. Cortez Masto , Mr. Hagerty , Mr. Hickenlooper , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Brown , Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Warnock , Mr. King , Mr. Hawley , Mr. Young , Mr. Hoeven , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Coons , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Romney , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Moran , Mr. Braun , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cassidy , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Graham , Mr. Marshall , Mrs. Fischer , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Burr , Ms. Collins , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Booker , Mr. Kelly , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Warner , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Lankford , Mr. Portman , Mr. Johnson , and Mr. Scott of South Carolina ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Condemning the antisemitic terrorist attack that occurred at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue on January 15, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas, expressing gratitude that no innocent lives were lost, and applauding the dedication and bravery of law enforcement and emergency response officials in responding to the attack.
Whereas on the afternoon of January 15, 2022, 4 individuals at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas were taken hostage and held at gunpoint by an armed antisemitic terrorist; Whereas during the hostage standoff, the terrorist echoed the demands of other militant Islamists, including the Islamic State (ISIS), Ayman al-Zawahri, lieutenant to Osama bin Laden and mastermind of many of deadliest al Qaeda terror attacks, and others within al Qaeda, that the United States release from Federal prison a certain radicalized terrorist known as the Lady of al Qaeda ; Whereas the Lady of al Qaeda was captured in Afghanistan with handwritten notes about perpetrating a mass casualty attack and a list of targets located in the United States that included the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Wall Street, and was later convicted of the attempted murder and assault of United States nationals in 2010 and sentenced to 86 years in prison; Whereas the hostages were able to run to safety and escape due to the quick thinking and bravery of one of the hostages, who threw a chair at the terrorist; Whereas the safe resolution to the January 15th terrorist attack on Congregation Beth Israel demonstrated the critical importance of professional safety and security training, facility walk-throughs, and security assessments for all Jewish community institutions; Whereas since 2005, through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, Congress has supported professional safety and security training for houses of worship, which was conducted by Jewish community institutions, including Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue, and by the Secure Community Network under the auspices of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Federations of North America; Whereas the perpetrator targeted the people worshiping at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue because they were Jewish; Whereas the people of the United States are grateful for the swift action of local, State, and Federal law enforcement officials and emergency response teams who responded to this vile and antisemitic attack; Whereas Good Shepherd Catholic Community Church provided support and housed family members of the worshipers held inside Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue during the 11-hour standoff; Whereas Pleasant Run Baptist Church offered their thoughts and support during the standoff, and allowed for their parking lot to be used by the media; Whereas worshipers who were watching the service virtually contacted local law enforcement officials once they realized there was an incident underway at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue; Whereas antisemitism is a pernicious and offensive form of prejudice that runs contrary to the values of the United States; and Whereas in 2020 and 2021, there were 8,366 incidents of extremism or antisemitism in the United States; Whereas while there can be no exhaustive definition of antisemitism in all its many forms, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance has developed the Working Definition of Antisemitism, with examples, that serves as an essential definitional tool used to determine contemporary manifestations of antisemitism; Whereas more than half of the religiously motivated hate crimes reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2020 were anti-Jewish hate crimes; Whereas Jewish Americans make up about 2 percent of the population of the United States but crimes against them make up 55 percent of the anti-religious hate crimes in the United States; Whereas the number of antisemitic incidents, including assaults, vandalism, and harassment, in the United States have increased over the past decade: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) condemns the antisemitic attack at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue of Colleyville, Texas on January 15, 2022; (2) expresses gratitude that there was no loss of innocent life and that the hostages were able to escape unharmed and return safely to their loved ones; (3) honors the selfless and dedicated service of the law enforcement and emergency response officials who responded to the attack; (4) condemns antisemitism in the United States, and around the world; and (5) reaffirms the commitment of the United States— (A) to condemn antisemitism in all its forms; (B) to protect the right of the people of the United States to freely exercise their religious beliefs; and (C) to ensure the safety and security of all people of the United States. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres526ats/xml/BILLS-117sres526ats.xml |
117-sres-527 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 527 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 17, 2022 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating the week of February 12 through February 19, 2022, as National Entrepreneurship Week to recognize the importance and contributions of entrepreneurs and startups to the economic prosperity of the United States and the well-being of every community across the United States.
Whereas National Entrepreneurship Week is a congressionally chartered event taking place annually during the third week of February for the purpose of democratizing and promoting entrepreneurship across the United States through education, connection, and collaboration; Whereas the United States is the most entrepreneurial country in the world and the entrepreneurial spirit woven into the national consciousness is central to the identity of the United States; Whereas that entrepreneurial spirit and the countless new businesses it has spawned have built the most innovative and productive economy in the history of the world; Whereas the United States is a Nation of entrepreneurs, with new and small businesses comprising 99 percent of all businesses in the United States and employing nearly half of all workers in the United States; Whereas, given the importance of entrepreneurship to innovation, productivity gains, economic growth, job creation, and expanding opportunity, a thriving entrepreneurial spirit is critical to post-COVID economic recovery in the United States; Whereas National Entrepreneurship Week celebrates the initiative, drive, creativity, and commitment embodied in the entrepreneurial spirit of the United States; Whereas National Entrepreneurship Week inspires students and the next generation of entrepreneurs by encouraging educators in grade schools, colleges, and universities across the United States to integrate entrepreneurship education into the classroom; and Whereas research has demonstrated that students who participate in entrepreneurship education programs have better attendance records, perform better in core subjects, and have lower drop-out rates than students who do not participate in such programs: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates the week of February 12 through February 19, 2022, as National Entrepreneurship Week ; (2) celebrates the importance of entrepreneurs and startups to the United States economy; (3) recognizes the contributions entrepreneurs make to expand opportunity, provide more inclusive prosperity, and increase the well-being of every community across the United States; (4) affirms the importance and urgency of enacting policies that promote, nurture, and support entrepreneurs and startups; and (5) encourages Federal, State, and local governments, schools, nonprofit organizations, and other civic organizations to observe National Entrepreneurship Week annually with special events and activities— (A) to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs in the United States; (B) to teach the importance of entrepreneurship to a strong and inclusive economy; and (C) to take steps to encourage, support, and celebrate future entrepreneurs. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres527is/xml/BILLS-117sres527is.xml |
117-sres-528 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 528 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 28, 2022 Mr. Ossoff submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating February 16 of each year as International Black Aviation Professionals Day .
Whereas, since the birth of aviation, Black Americans have made and continue to make significant contributions to flight, space exploration, and the aviation industry as a whole, despite significant adversity; Whereas aviation trailblazers like Emory C. Malick, the first licensed Black pilot, James H. Banning, the first Black pilot to fly across the United States, and Bessie Queen Coleman, the first licensed Black woman pilot, barnstormed through barriers such as racism and sexism to have careers in aviation; Whereas Black American visionaries like William J. Powell, Jr., established the Bessie Coleman Flying Club, sponsored the first all-Black American airshow, wrote the book entitled Black Wings , produced a documentary film entitled Unemployment, the Negro and Aviation , and worked tirelessly to mobilize Black American youth to pursue careers in aviation; Whereas Cornelius Coffey, a skilled Black American auto mechanic who dreamed of flying, and Willa Brown, the first Black woman to earn both a pilot's license and a commercial license and the first Black woman to become an officer in the Illinois Civil Air Patrol, organized a group of Black air enthusiasts, established training classes and a school of aeronautics, and helped promote the 1939 flight of Chauncey Spencer and Dale White from Chicago to Washington, DC, to campaign for an end to racial segregation in aviation; Whereas the Tuskegee Army Airfield, after which the Tuskegee Airmen were named, became a vital center for Black American servicemen and servicewomen to train as mechanics, control-tower operators, and pilots of military aircrafts, launching the careers of many notable Black aviators, including General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Amelia Jones, Linkwood Williams, Lieutenant Colonel Lee A. Archer, Major Charles Hall, Brigadier General Charles McGee, and many others; Whereas the Red Tails of the 99th Fighter Squadron and later the 332d Fighter Group known as the Tuskegee Airmen made pioneering contributions to the United States war effort during World War II and the subsequent drive to end racial segregation in the Armed Forces; Whereas, in 1958, Ruth Carol Taylor became the first Black regional flight attendant in the United States; Whereas, in 1956, Patricia Banks-Edmiston filed, and, in 1960, ultimately won, a discrimination case against Capital Airlines, paving the way for her to become the first Black commercial flight attendant in the United States; Whereas these historic firsts opened the skies for Black flight attendants, including Joan Dorsey, Diane Hunter, Patricia Grace Murphy, Undra Mays, Sheila Nutt, and Margaret Grant; Whereas Oscar Wayman Holmes was the first Black air traffic controller and served as the first Black aircraft pilot and the first Black commissioned officer in the Navy, and Eleanor Williams became the first Black woman air traffic controller in 1971; Whereas Black scientists have played an integral role in the United States, reaching the stars through the brilliance and fortitude of historically overlooked and unappreciated figures, including Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, whose contributions in astrophysics allowed the United States to send humans into space; Whereas Black Americans finally soared amongst the stars when Guion Guy Bluford and Mae Jemison became the first Black American man and woman, respectively, to venture into space; Whereas the research of Black Americans like physician Vance H. Marchbanks and psychophysiologist Patricia Cowings made it safer for astronauts to travel to space; Whereas Black American inventors helped revolutionize air and space travel, including through the long-distance airplane designed by Charles W. Chappelle, contributions by Gladys West to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS), technology created by George Robert Carruthers that allowed for photography in space, and the power source created by Lonnie Johnson for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Galileo mission to Jupiter; Whereas Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr., the first Black mayor of the City of Atlanta, Georgia, is renowned for his major initiative, a diversity and inclusion plan to ensure Black business owners had the opportunity to participate in the expansion of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport into a major transportation hub, ahead of schedule and under budget, all while paving the way for minority-owned businesses to support the aviation industry through construction, management, and concessions programs at airports across the United States; Whereas, on February 12, 2009, on a flight from Atlanta to Nashville, Captain Rachelle Jones Kerr, First Officer Stephanie Grant, and flight attendants Robin Rogers and Diana Galloway made history as the first all-female, all-Black American flight crew; Whereas Casey Grant, an author, aviator, and pioneer in her own right as one of the earliest Black flight attendants, has made it her mission to honor the legacy and contributions of Black pioneers in aviation through her books entitled Stars in the Sky and Stars and Beyond and her efforts to introduce a new generation of young Black individuals across the United States and in Ghana to the field of aviation; Whereas organizations, including the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, the Black Aviation Airline Pioneers, the Sisters of the Skies, the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars, and the Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc., continue to preserve the legacy of Black Americans in aviation; Whereas Black Americans have long served in every aspect of aviation, from skycaps, who greet travelers arriving at the airport, and ticketing agents, who ensure itineraries are in order, to ground crew, mechanics, and many others, who make the aviation industry safe and reliable; Whereas the Federal Aviation Administration provides opportunities to eligible students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the fields of aviation, aeronautics, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through the STEM Aviation and Space Education Program by recruiting candidates from historically Black colleges and universities for programs such as the Minority Serving Institutions Intern Program; and Whereas public and private sector efforts to recruit, retain, and promote talented Black Americans through increased emphasis on intentional diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, programs, and commitments and investments in programs that expose underrepresented groups to careers in aviation will ultimately help diversify the workforce for decades to come: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates February 16 of each year as International Black Aviation Professionals Day ; (2) encourages the observation of International Black Aviation Professionals Day through the recognition and celebration of the contributions of Black aviation professionals; and (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States— (A) to recognize the stories and contributions of Black American aviation professionals who broke barriers, innovated, and took aviation to greater heights; (B) to provide enhanced curriculum in schools, libraries, and other places of learning to educate all people of the United States with respect to the contributions of Black aviation pioneers; and (C) to support greater opportunities for Black Americans in all areas of aviation. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres528is/xml/BILLS-117sres528is.xml |
117-sres-529 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 529 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 2, 2022 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Johnson , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Peters ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Supporting a democratic, pluralistic, and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th Anniversary of its declaration of independence.
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina has historically been a pluralistic society influenced by and composed of a diverse set of religions, cultures, and ethnicities; Whereas, on March 3, 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence, and on April 7, 1992, the United States recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent state; Whereas more than 100,000 people died and 2,000,000 more were displaced in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995; Whereas the United States, alongside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), played a crucial role in ending the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and brokering the General Framework Agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina (also known as the Dayton Agreement and the Dayton Accords ) in November 1995; Whereas the Dayton Accords ended the war, affirmed the territorial integrity and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, established the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and two tiers of government at the state, entity, district, canton, and municipal levels, installed the NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) as an international interim peacekeeping force, and created the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (OHR) to oversee civilian implementation of the accords; Whereas, since the Dayton Accords were signed, the Government and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have made important strides toward re-building a peaceful society based on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a free-market economy; Whereas, in 2004, the United Nations Security Council adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1575 authorizing a multinational stabilization force led by the European Union (EUFOR) as the legal successor to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Whereas, in 2008, the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board set out the requirements that need to be met prior to the closure of the OHR in the 5+2 Agenda; Whereas, since 2009 and the case of Sejdić-Finci, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued judgments concerning ethnic- and territory-based discrimination in the elections of Bosnia and Herzegovina and requiring reforms, which have yet to be implemented; Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina was invited to join a NATO Membership Action Plan in 2010, and Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its first Reform Program to NATO in 2019; Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina formally applied for European Union membership on February 15, 2016; Whereas, on May 29, 2019, the European Union adopted a roadmap to membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina, outlining needed reforms in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration; Whereas the United States and the European Union have called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement election and targeted constitutional reforms to ensure broad participation in the 2022 general election in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to comply with the Sejdić-Finci judgments from the ECHR; Whereas, on October 20, 2021, the United States and the European Union issued a joint statement supporting the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and calling “on all parties to respect and protect state institutions, resume constructive dialogue, and take steps to advance progress on the EU integration path—including on relevant reforms”; Whereas some politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region continue to make statements downplaying or denying the 1995 Srebrenica genocide; Whereas Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has hampered reconciliation efforts through genocide denial, engaged in proactive and destabilizing security maneuvers, threatened to withdraw Republika Srpska from state-level institutions, including the judiciary, the security services, the Indirect Tax Authority, and the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and called for the dissolution of the OHR; Whereas, on December 10, 2021, the parliament of Republika Srpska voted in favor of denying the constitutional and legitimate authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the areas of taxation, justice, and security and defense; Whereas the United States has imposed sanctions on Milorad Dodik pursuant to Executive Order 13304 (68 Fed. Reg. 32313; relating to the Termination of Emergencies With Respect to Yugoslavia and Modification of Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001) and Executive Order 14033 (86 Fed. Reg. 31079; relating to Blocking Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons Contributing to the Destabilizing Situation in the Western Balkans) for obstructing the Dayton Accords and corruption; Whereas, on January 9, 2022, Milorad Dodik presided over commemorations of an unconstitutional holiday, Republika Srpska Day, which coincided with the day Bosnian Serbs declared their own state and ignited four years of war and bloodshed; Whereas international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Foundation have warned that withdrawal from the Indirect Tax Authority would cripple the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Whereas, in 2020, the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina contracted by an estimated 4.3 percent, and the youth unemployment rate rose to 33.6 percent, disrupting a five-year trend of decline in part due to the rampant corruption that remains unaddressed; and Whereas at least 400,000 citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have emigrated from Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past 8 years: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) congratulates Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 30th anniversary of its declaration of independence; (2) reaffirms strong and longstanding bipartisan support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and continues to believe that peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina is integral to the peace and stability of Europe as a whole; (3) calls on all parties to uphold the spirit of unity enshrined in the Dayton Accords and to redouble their efforts to enact electoral and targeted constitutional reforms prior to the 2022 general election in Bosnia and Herzegovina; (4) calls on the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina to recognize their critical role in preserving stability and to work together in the best interests of their constituents as part of a sovereign and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina within its internationally recognized borders; (5) encourages the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue pursuing membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union and urges the European Union to increase its efforts, cooperation, and assistance to swiftly advance the accession process; (6) calls on the President to prioritize efforts to combat political corruption, democratic backsliding, unemployment, and brain drain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular, by focusing on youth engagement; (7) commends the continued efforts of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to advance reforms, reaffirms the authority of the OHR as articulated in the Dayton Accords, and calls on members of the Peace and Implementation Council to provide their full support to the OHR and advancement of the 5+2 Agenda; (8) calls on the President to develop an inclusive and comprehensive strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, in coordination with Bosnian and Herzegovinian civil society and the European Union, and to increase engagement with minority groups in an effort to hear from a diverse cross-section of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, inclusive of all ethnic, political, or religious affiliations; (9) encourages the United Nations and its member states to continue to support the EUFOR-Althea stabilization force and to review the current levels of the force in the face of challenges to the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina; (10) encourages the United States to consider additional steps to support security and stabilization in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to support EUFOR; (11) condemns individuals who are actively seeking to undermine the security, stability, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and urges the President and European allies of the United States to hold such individuals accountable for their actions, including through the use of sanctions where appropriate; (12) condemns the inflammatory rhetoric of politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and others in the region who deny the severity or perpetration of war crimes and genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina; (13) condemns politicians in Bosnian and Herzegovina and the region who— (A) persist in rampant corruption for personal enrichment at the cost of the prosperity of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and (B) prevent Bosnia and Herzegovina from adopting the reforms necessary to secure membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and (14) emphasizes that the United States Government will continue to support the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their quest to build a unified, pluralistic, prosperous, and peaceful state. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres529is/xml/BILLS-117sres529is.xml |
117-sres-530 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 530 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 2, 2022 Mr. Grassley (for himself, Mr. Coons , Mr. Barrasso , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Braun , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Carper , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Durbin , Ms. Ernst , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. King , Ms. Klobuchar , and Ms. Warren ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating March 4, 2022, as National Speech and Debate Education Day .
Whereas it is essential for youth to learn and practice the art of communicating with and without technology; Whereas speech and debate education offers students myriad forms of public speaking through which students may develop talent and exercise unique voice and character; Whereas speech and debate education gives students the 21st century skills of communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration; Whereas critical analysis and effective communication allow important ideas, texts, and philosophies the opportunity to flourish; Whereas personal, professional, and civic interactions are enhanced by the ability of the participants in those interactions to listen, concur, question, and dissent with reason and compassion; Whereas students who participate in speech and debate have chosen a challenging activity that requires regular practice, dedication, and hard work; Whereas teachers and coaches of speech and debate devote in-school, afterschool, and weekend hours to equip students with life-changing skills and opportunities; Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day emphasizes the lifelong impact of providing people of the United States with the confidence and preparation to both discern and share views; Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day acknowledges that most achievements, celebrations, commemorations, and pivotal moments in modern history begin, end, or are crystallized with public address; Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day recognizes that learning to research, construct, and present an argument is integral to personal advocacy, social movements, and the making of public policy; Whereas the National Speech & Debate Association, in conjunction with national and local partners, honors and celebrates the importance of speech and debate through National Speech and Debate Education Day; and Whereas National Speech and Debate Education Day emphasizes the importance of speech and debate education and the integration of speech and debate education across grade levels and disciplines: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) designates March 4, 2022, as National Speech and Debate Education Day ; (2) strongly affirms the purposes of National Speech and Debate Education Day; and (3) encourages educational institutions, businesses, community and civic associations, and all people of the United States to celebrate and promote National Speech and Debate Education Day. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres530ats/xml/BILLS-117sres530ats.xml |
117-sres-531 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 531 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 3, 2022 Mr. Graham (for himself, Mr. Coons , Mr. Cardin , Mr. King , Ms. Ernst , Mr. Tillis , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Cornyn , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Moran , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Booker , Ms. Collins , Mr. Van Hollen , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Marshall , and Mr. Wicker ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate condemning the Russian Federation, President Vladimir Putin, members of the Russian Security Council, the Russian Armed Forces, and Russian military commanders for committing flagrant acts of aggression and other atrocities rising to the level of crimes against humanity and war crimes against the people of Ukraine and others.
Whereas the United States of America has a responsibility to uphold the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights across the globe; Whereas there are several universal declarations promoting human rights, laws of war, and upholding the dignity of individuals; Whereas the United Nations Charter Preamble states that member nations reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights [and] in the dignity and worth of the human person ; Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Preamble states that Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms ; Whereas the Russian Federation joined as an original member of the United Nations as the former Union of Soviet Socialists Republics on October 24, 1945, and as such has a duty to abide by the conditions of the United Nations Charter; Whereas the International Criminal Court (ICC) is an international tribunal that seeks to uphold the rule of law, especially in areas where no rule of law exists, by investigating and trying individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression ; Whereas the ICC recognizes the grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions as constituting a war crime, including willful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments, willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, and extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly ; Whereas the ICC also recognizes other serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict as war crimes, including [i]ntentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities and [i]ntentionally directing attacks against civilian objects, that is, objects which are not military objectives ; Whereas President Vladimir Putin, members of the Russian Security Council, and President Putin's military commanders have severely undermined the international rule of law through their various actions; Whereas, prior to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation has a long history of committing acts of aggression, human rights violations, and acts that constitute war crimes within the Russian Federation and around the globe, including in Chechnya, Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria; Whereas, beginning in 1999, the Russian Federation engaged in the indiscriminate use of force against the people of Chechnya, including the use of cluster munitions against civilians, resulting in 50,000 Chechens, mostly civilians, dead or missing; Whereas, during the Russian Federation’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, Russian Armed Forces engaged with cluster munitions in indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks that resulted in the death of civilians; Whereas President Vladimir Putin violated the sovereignty of Ukraine and used military force to seize control and unlawfully occupy Crimea and eastern Ukraine, indiscriminately targeting and killing thousands of innocent civilians since 2014; Whereas the Russian military was deemed responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, which resulted in the death of 298 civilians; Whereas rebel forces supported by the Russian Federation were deemed responsible for a missile attack on January 24, 2015, in Mariupol, Ukraine that indiscriminately targeted civilians, resulting in the death of at least 30 and injuring many more; Whereas, in 2016 and 2017, Russian aircraft deployed bunker-busting and incendiary bombs capable of destroying military installations on civilian structures in Aleppo, Syria, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians; Whereas President Vladimir Putin is complicit in war crimes and human rights violations in Syria through his continuing political, financial, and military support for President Bashar al-Assad; Whereas intelligence assessments have concluded Vladimir Putin and his regime have destroyed the rule of law in Russia and engaged in countless crimes against humanity, including ordering the poisoning of Alexi Navalny, the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and the false imprisonment and torture ultimately leading to the death of Sergei Magnitsky; Whereas President Vladimir Putin, in February 2022, initiated a premeditated, unprovoked, unjustified, and unlawful war against the sovereign nation of Ukraine; Whereas, in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin and Russian Federation forces targeted and reportedly killed more than 300 civilians, to include children, while engaging in Ukrainian urban centers, causing chaos and fear among Ukrainian citizens; Whereas, on February 28, 2022, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, claimed President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of thermobaric weapons and cluster munitions to be used in the northeastern towns of Okhtyrka and Karkhiv; Whereas Ukraine has twice submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICC for the purposes of prosecuting war crimes committed within its territory due to the Russian occupation of Ukraine; Whereas Lithuania and Canada, members to the authorizing treaty of the ICC, have called on the ICC to open an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Russia; Whereas, on February 28, 2022, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim A. A. Khan QC stated that the ICC would open a third investigation against Russia for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Russian invasion into Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022; Whereas Ukraine has also filed a claim in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) instituting proceedings against the Russian Federation for genocide; and Whereas the United States Government should use its voice, vote, and influence to pursue war crimes allegations against Vladimir Putin and his military commanders in international institutions of which it is a member and encourage other allies and partners to express the same: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) strongly condemns the ongoing violence, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic human rights abuses continually being carried out by the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies and President Putin's military commanders, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin; (2) encourages member states to petition the ICC and the ICJ to authorize any and all pending investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies and President Putin's military commanders, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin; (3) supports any investigation into war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic human rights abuses levied by President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Security Council, the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies, and President Putin's military commanders; (4) encourages the United States Government and partner nations to use their voice, vote, and influence in international institutions in which they are members to hold President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Security Council, the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies, and President Putin's military commanders accountable for their sponsorship of ongoing violence, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic human rights abuses; and (5) stands with the people who have been affected by the brutality of the Putin regime. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres531is/xml/BILLS-117sres531is.xml |
117-sres-532 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 532 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 3, 2022 Mr. Boozman (for himself and Mr. Menendez ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the importance of preventing injury and saving more lives from injury around the globe.
Whereas traumatic injury is the most common cause of death for individuals aged 1–45 years and the cause of nearly 200,000 deaths per year in the United States; Whereas 45,000,000 Americans live more than one hour away from a Level I or Level II trauma center; Whereas trauma systems are designed to deliver optimal trauma care for injured patients, informed by best evidence and accessible to all injured patients, regardless of circumstance; Whereas the Committee on Trauma was established by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in 1922 to develop and implement programs that support injury prevention and ensure optimal patient outcomes across the continuum of care; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma works to improve the care of injured patients through activities in trauma system evaluation, trauma center verification, trauma quality improvement, and education; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma endeavors to improve care for injured patients by setting standards of care, measuring risk-adjusted patient outcomes, promoting best practices, and driving performance improvement; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma has focused continuously and collaboratively through a public health approach to prevent injuries, with major reductions in the risk of injury, particularly from motor vehicle collisions; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma created the Consultation/Verification Program in 1987 to assist hospitals in the evaluation and improvement of trauma care and provide objective, external review of institutional capabilities and performance; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma created the National Trauma Data Bank, the largest aggregation of United States trauma registries ever assembled, in 1989, to generate data sets for expanding knowledge in trauma through research; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma created the Trauma Systems Consultation Program in 1996 to review State and regional trauma systems and provide recommendations for system improvement and enhancement; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma created the Trauma Quality Improvement Program in 2008 to elevate the quality of care for trauma patients by collecting data from trauma centers, providing feedback on performance compared to national benchmarks, and identifying institutional characteristics for optimal patient outcomes; Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma established the STOP THE BLEED campaign in 2015 to prepare the public to save lives by teaching people three quick actions to control serious bleeding and save lives; and Whereas the ACS Committee on Trauma is committed to developing a National Trauma and Emergency Preparedness System that saves more lives from daily injury and mass casualty events by connecting local, State, and regional trauma systems and informing best practice through standards and research: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate recognizes the 100th anniversary of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and its significant contributions to preventing injury and saving lives from injury in the United States and around the globe. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres532is/xml/BILLS-117sres532is.xml |
117-sres-533 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 533 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 3, 2022 Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Warner ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Celebrating the centennial of Navy aircraft carriers.
Whereas 100 years ago, on March 20, 1922, following a 2-year conversion at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the former USS Jupiter (Collier #3) was recommissioned as USS Langley (CV–1), the first aircraft carrier of the Navy; Whereas USS Langley began as an experimental platform, laying the foundation for the future shipboard operations of aircraft; Whereas, in fleet exercises beginning in 1924, the USS Langley, appropriately nicknamed the Covered Wagon , demonstrated the potential of the aircraft carrier as an invaluable weapons system that would transform how the Navy fought at sea; Whereas, for the past 100 years, aircraft carriers have been the preeminent power projection platform for the Navy and have furthered United States interest in times of war and peace; Whereas, from the great naval battles in the Pacific Ocean during World War II to strike and close air support missions in the battlegrounds of the Korean Peninsula and Vietnam, the execution of joint force operations over the sands of the Middle East, and present-day deterrence in numerous locations around the world, aircraft carriers have proven time and again that they invaluable in supporting the strategic goals of the United States; Whereas, with an unequaled ability to provide warfighting capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict and to adapt in the face of ever-changing threats, aircraft carriers and their embarked air wings and associated strike groups are the foundation of United States maritime strategy; Whereas aircraft carriers enable the Armed Forces to carry out operations from international waters, often obviating the need to obtain flyover and land-based rights from other countries; Whereas Nimitz and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are modern, mobile military bases each complete with an airfield, a hospital, and a hardened communications system from which the United States can strike at enemies, wherever and whenever it chooses; Whereas there are more than 2,450 companies in 48 States and more than 364 congressional districts and more than 13,100 individuals, who proudly contribute to the construction and maintenance of these complex and technologically advanced ships; and Whereas countless members of the Armed Forces have served the United States aboard aircraft carriers in war, peace, and times of crisis: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) recognizes that aircraft carriers continue to be a cornerstone of the Navy and play a vital role in the defense of the United States; (2) acknowledges that, in a time of great power competition that the world has not seen for over 30 years, aircraft carriers will continue to be an absolutely vital strategic platform that the United States can wield to ensure security and stability throughout the world, now and well into the future; (3) in this 100th year since USS Langley (CV–1) was commissioned at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, recognizes the role aircraft carriers have played in securing peace for the United States and the continuing role aircraft carriers will play in maintaining peace and security for the United States; and (4) celebrates the centennial of Navy aircraft carriers. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres533is/xml/BILLS-117sres533is.xml |
117-sres-534 | III 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 534 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 3, 2022 Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Coons , Mr. Warnock , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Booker , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Braun , Mr. Burr , Mr. Cardin , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Casey , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Cotton , Mr. Cruz , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Hagerty , Mrs. Hyde-Smith , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Manchin , Mr. McConnell , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Scott of Florida , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Van Hollen , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Kaine , Mr. Carper , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Markey , Mr. Ossoff , Mr. Warner , Ms. Warren , Ms. Klobuchar , Ms. Stabenow , Mr. Brown , Ms. Duckworth , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Sanders , and Mr. Padilla ) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities and reaffirming support for the students of historically Black colleges and universities.
Whereas a high-quality education is central to economic prosperity and social well-being in the United States; Whereas historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this preamble as HBCUs ) provide educational and economic opportunities for postsecondary students; Whereas HBCUs have provided, and continue to provide, a high-quality education that allows students to attain their full potential; Whereas HBCUs were founded to ensure Black students had access to a high-quality education. Whereas, on January 4, 2022, at least 8 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Howard University, Xavier University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Prairie View A&M University, North Carolina Central University, Florida Memorial University, Norfolk State University, and Spelman College; Whereas, on January 31, 2022, at least 8 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Southern University and A&M College, Howard University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State University, Bowie State University, Alabama A&M University, Charles R. Drew University, and Delaware State University; Whereas, on February 1, 2022, the first day of Black History Month, at least 18 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Shorter College, Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, Edward Waters University, Spelman College, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Xavier University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, Tougaloo College, and Harris-Stowe State University; Whereas, on February 8, 2022, Spelman College received a bomb threat; Whereas, on February 14, 2022, Howard University and Fisk University received bomb threats; Whereas, on February 16, 2022, Fayetteville State University, Claflin University, and Winston-Salem University received bomb threats; Whereas, on February 23, 2022, Hampton University received a bomb threat; Whereas, on February 25, 2022, at least 3 HBCUs received bomb threats, including Norfolk State University, Elizabeth City State University, and Dillard University; Whereas HBCUs provide an environment of belonging, safety, and security for students, faculty, and administrators; and Whereas these threats against HBCUs disrupt campus environments, obstruct educational opportunities, and instill fear: Now therefore, be it
That the Senate— (1) condemns violence and the threat of violence against historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this resolution as HBCUs ), including the bomb threats made against several HBCUs on January 4, January 31, February 1, February 8, February 14, February 16, February 23, and February 25, 2022; (2) honors the legacy of HBCUs; and (3) reaffirms the commitment of the Federal Government to combat violence against the students, faculty, and staff of HBCUs. | https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-117sres534ats/xml/BILLS-117sres534ats.xml |
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