The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S2609-S2611 on Feb. 24, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Wood Preservation Safety Act of 2003 with my Idaho colleague Senator Crapo and our friend from Nevada, Mr. Ensign. If enacted, this legislation would authorize the Forest Products Laboratory of the US Forest Service to study the effectiveness of silver-based biocides as a wood preservative treatment. This legislation was also introduced in the 107th Congress.
According to silver experts and academics, silver biocides could serve as a viable, safe and cost effective alternative wood preservative. Given silver's long-standing role as an effective biocide, testing should be undertaken to determine silver's suitability as a wood preservative. Thus, I feel it is important to study and fully explore the potential of silver as a wood preservative.
Mining has been an important part of Idaho's history since the late 1800s. It became Idaho's first industry and remains a critical part of Idaho and the nation's economy. Mining in Idaho has supplied the nation with minerals necessary for today's modern lifestyle which many of us take for granted. In 1985, the mines of Idaho's Coeur d'Alene mining district produced their one billionth ounce of silver. The Sunshine Mine was America's richest silver mine, producing over 300 million ounces of silver, more than the entire output of Nevada's famous Comstock Lode. Silver contributes to our quality of life in many ways, and its use as a biocide in wood products is an important application that must be explored.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass legislation that would create a comprehensive research program to test the viability of silver-based biocides for the treatment of wood products.
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SENATE RESOLUTION 61--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE IN
FINANCE
Mr. GRASSLEY submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on Finance; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:
S. Res. 61
Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under title XXV of such rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rules XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on Finance is authorized from March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003; October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004; and October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.
Sec. 2(a). The expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003, under this resolution shall not exceed $3,511,241, of which amount (1) not to exceed $17,500 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to exceed $5,833 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
(b) For the period October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall not exceed $6,179,693, of which amount (1) not to exceed
$30,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to exceed $10,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
(c) For the period October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall not exceed $2,634,121, of which amount (1) not to exceed
$12,500 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to exceed $4,167 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946.)
Sec. 3. The committee shall report its findings, together with such recommendations for legislation as it deems advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable date, but not later than February 28, 2005, respectively.
Sec. 4. Expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the Chairman of the Committee, except that vouchers shall not be required (1) for the disbursement of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, or (2) for the payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or
(3) for the payment of stationery supplies purchased through the Keeper of the Stationery, United States Senate, or (4) for payments to the Postmaster, United States Senate, or (5) for the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or (6) for the payment of Senate Recording and Photographic Services, or (7) for payment of franked and mass mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate.
Sec. 5. There authorized such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions related to the compensation of the committee from March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003; October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004; and October 1, 2004 through February 28, 2005, to be paid from the Appropriations account for ``Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations.''
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SENATE RESOLUTION 62--CALLING UPON THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
(OAS) INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, THE UNITED NATIONS
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS IN REGARD
TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CUBA
Mr. ENSIGN (for himself, Mr. Graham of Florida, Mr. Frist, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Allen, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Santorum) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 62
Whereas the democracies of the Western Hemisphere have approved an Inter-American Democratic Charter that sets a regional standard regarding respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Whereas the government of the Republic of Cuba approved and is bound to respect the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man;
Whereas in 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, and previous years, the government of the Republic of Cuba declined to reply to the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights when it sought the government's views on human rights violations in the Republic of Cuba;
Whereas all countries have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Whereas the United Nations Commission on Human Rights considered and passed a resolution in 2002 regarding the situation of human rights in the Republic of Cuba and called for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to send a personal representative to the Republic of Cuba;
Whereas the United States and other countries remain concerned about violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Republic of Cuba, including the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, and the rights associated with the administration of justice;
Whereas, according to the Department of State, Cuban authorities use exile as a means of repression and continue to harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, detain, imprison, and defame human rights advocates and members of independent professional associations, including journalists, economists, doctors, and lawyers with the goal of coercing them into leaving the country;
Whereas Cuban citizens are routinely jailed solely because their views do not coincide with those of the government;
Whereas Amnesty International in its 2002 report noted an increase in human rights violations in the Republic of Cuba, including short-term arbitrary arrests, threats, summonses, evictions, interrogations, losses of employment, restrictions on travel, house arrests, and other forms of harassment directed by the government against political dissidents, independent journalists, and other activists in an effort to limit their ability to exercise fundamental freedoms;
Whereas Amnesty International also noted with concern the beginning of a trend toward the increased use of violence by Cuban authorities in order to repress dissent;
Whereas Cuban political prisoners are deliberately exposed to harm and poor conditions as a means of punishment, including beatings, denial of medical treatment, forced labor against medical advice, unsanitary eating conditions, and coexistence with inmates carrying highly infectious diseases;
Whereas peaceful dissidents in the Republic of Cuba, such as Oscar Elias Biscet, who upon finishing more than 3 years in jail for ``instigation to commit a crime'' is again in police custody and facing a possible year-long sentence, are subjected to ongoing harassment and imprisonment;
Whereas many Cubans, such as journalist Bernardo Arevalo Padron who is currently in jail serving a 6 year sentence, are routinely jailed under the charge of ``disrespect'' for making negative statements about the government of the Republic of Cuba;
Whereas many Cubans, such as Carlos Oquendo Rodriguez who is serving 2 years in prison, are routinely jailed under the charge of ``public disorder'' for criticizing the Castro regime;
Whereas many Cubans, such as Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez, the longest serving current Amnesty International prisoner of conscience in the Republic of Cuba, are imprisoned on charges of ``revealing state security secrets'' and ``falsifying public documents'' for promoting democratic practices and human rights;
Whereas many Cubans, such as Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, a blind lawyer and president of the Cuban Foundation for Human Rights, are imprisoned on charges of ``disobedience'' and tortured while incarcerated for peacefully protesting the Republic of Cuba's brutal treatment of dissidents;
Whereas many Cubans, such as Leonardo Miguel Bruzon Avila, president of the 24th of February Movement (named for both a turning point in the Spanish-American War and the day in 1996 when 2 civilian aircraft carrying 4 members of the Cuban American Brothers to the Rescue movement were shot down over international waters by Cuban fighter jets), are charged with
``public disorder'' and held without trial for planning peaceful public ceremonies;
Whereas many Cubans, such as Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina, who is president of the Cuban Youth for Democracy Movement and currently serving a 6 year prison sentence, are charged with
``damages'' for denouncing violations of human rights by the Cuban government and communicating the brutality of the Cuban regime to Cuban citizens and the world;
Whereas many Cubans, such as Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, who is a founder of the Pedro Luis Boitel Political Prisoners Movement and serving a 15 year prison sentence, are charged with ``enemy propaganda'' and suffer systematic abuse and a lack of medical assistance while in prison, for criticizing communism;
Whereas Amnesty International reports that participants in Oswaldo Paya's Varela Project collecting the required 10,000 signatures on a petition for peaceful change to the legal system of the Republic of Cuba have been harassed, detained, subjected to confiscation of signed petitions, and ``kicked, punched, and threatened'' by Cuban state security officials; and
Whereas the European Parliament rightfully recognized Oswaldo Paya for his work on the Varela Project with the 2002 Sakharov Prize for his human rights work in the Republic of Cuba: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate calls upon--
(1) the Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to continue its reporting on the human rights situation in the Republic of Cuba and to request a visit to the Republic of Cuba for the purposes of reviewing and reporting to the international community on the human rights situation there;
(2) the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and his newly appointed personal representative to vigorously pursue the implementation of the 2002 Resolution regarding the situation of human rights in the Republic of Cuba;
(3) the European Union, to build upon the European Parliament's recognition of Cuban dissidents and, through the appropriate bodies and mechanisms, request to visit the Republic of Cuba for the purpose of reviewing the human rights situation there and issue a report to the international community on its findings; and
(4) human rights organizations throughout the world to issue statements of solidarity with the Cuban human rights activists, political dissidents, prisoners of conscience, independent journalists, and other Cubans seeking to secure their internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution expressing the grave concern of the United States Senate over the horrific human rights conditions in Cuba under the regime of Fidel Castro, and calling on the international community to take concrete steps to help the peaceful dissidents in Cuba who are pressing for democratic change, and being brutally repressed as a result.
The American and Cuban peoples share many things in common--a love of freedom, a fierce spirit of independence, and a desire that our two nations will one day live as friends and neighbors in a hemisphere where the scourge of tyranny has been eradicated.
There is one obstacle to the common aspirations of our two peoples--
Fidel Castro. And because of him, our peoples share one more thing in common. Both of our countries have had innocent civilians killed on his orders by his brutal security apparatus.
Seven years ago, on this day, February 24, Cuban MIG fighters confronted three planes flying in international airspace by members of Brothers to the Rescue, a group whose principal mission was to search for rafters in the Florida Straits risking their lives to escape Castro's oppression. Three planes left. Only one plane returned. The other two--unarmed Cessnas--were shot down on the direct orders of Fidel Castro. Three American citizens and one legal resident were murdered in cold blood.
Here is how the Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights described the incident: ``The Cuban Air Force never notified nor warned the civil small aircraft, did not attempt to make use of other methods of interception, and never gave them the opportunity to land. The first and only response of the MIGs was the international destruction of the civil aircraft and of their four occupants.''
This event seven years ago shocked our nation. But for Cubans living in Castro's tropical gulag, this sort of brutality is not shocking in the least--it is their every day reality.
And so we introduce this resolution today to express our solidarity with the families of the victims who perished that day, to be sure. However, we also do it to show our solidarity with all those still suffering in Fidel Castro's Cuba--and those brave dissidents who risk their lives each day to press for freedom, democracy and rule of law.
Leonardo Miguel Bruzon Avila, is one such dissident. He is president of the 24th of February Movement and is being held without trial by the Castro regime. His crime? Planning peaceful public ceremonies to commemorate the shoot-down of the Brothers to the Rescue planes.
It is a travesty that more than a decade after the Cold War has ended, a brutal communist dictator is still oppressing people in our hemisphere. Castro's Cuba is like a modern day Jurassic Park--a lost island, where the political dinosaurs of an earlier era still roam, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Our challenge, our mission, is to help the Cuban people escape--to join the 21st century as a free nation.
For some reason, there are still those who see Castro as a romantic revolutionary. It is an image he works hard to promote. But there is nothing romantic about life in Castro's Cuba.
Thus, it is important to call attention to the reality of the conditions he imposes on his people. The UN, the OAS, the EU, and non governmental organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have done this, but exposing the truth is only the first step. This resolution calls on these entities to do more, because the situation in Cuba is not improving--it is deteriorating.
Amnesty International's 2002 report notes an increase in human rights violations, including short-term arbitrary arrests, threats, summonses, evictions, interrogations, losses of employment, restrictions on travel, and house arrests directed by the government against political dissidents, independent journalists, and other activists in an effort to limit their ability to exercise fundamental freedoms.
No one who disagrees with the Castro brothers' communist dictatorship can live peacefully in Cuba. No one who loves liberty is allowed to flourish. No one who dares to speak out against the Castro government's brutality and repression is permitted to remain free.
And once imprisoned, Cuban political prisoners are deliberately exposed to harm and poor conditions as a means of punishment, including beatings, denial of medical treatment, forced labor against medical advise, and coexistence with inmates carrying highly infectious diseases.
It is critical that we send a message--to Fidel Castro and the world--that we know what is happening under his rule. And we must make sure these peaceful freedom fighters know they are not forgotten.
Natan Sharansky tells the story about his time in the Soviet gulag, when word came that President Reagan had called the Soviet Union an
``Evil Empire.'' The Soviet press had reprinted his remarks, as evidence of his anti-Soviet attitudes. But for the prisoners in the Soviet gulag, it was the first sign that they had not been forgotten--
that the leader of the world's most powerful democracy had no illusions about the true nature of that regime--that he knew of their plight and was ready to call the Soviet system what is was--evil.
He spoke about how Reagan and Senator Scoop Jackson became beacons of light to all the political prisoners through the long days and nights of their struggle against the Soviet Union. He said Jackson and Reagan knew the value of freedom and they understood the nature of totalitarian evil. They inspired all of the dissidents with their integrity, their values, and their courage.
With this resolution, we send a signal to all the dissidents and political prisoners in Cuba--that we have no illusions about the nature of Fidel Castro's regime--that we know of their plight and stand ready to help them.
Specifically, this resolution highlights the plight of eight Cuban dissidents who are currently in jail: Oscar Elias Biscet, Bernardo Arevalo Padron, Carlos Oquendo Rodriguez, Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Gonzales Leiva, Leonardo Miguel Bruzon Avila, Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina and Jorge Luis Garica Perez.
Unfortunately, as the resolution makes, clear, there are many other political prisoners, charged with the same offenses, enduring the same horrible fate. It is my hope that by engaging the help of the international community, we will improve their condition, secure their release, and eliminate the harassment of human rights activists in the future.
Castro and his cronies must know that the world is watching; that Cuba will remain an international pariah until the human rights situation dramatically improves. And those suffering under the jackboot of his oppression must know that we are watching--and that we will not rest and will not tire and will keep working to support them until they are finally free.
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SENATE RESOLUTION 63--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. INHOFE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works:
S. Res. 63
Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized from March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003; October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004; and October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005 in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.
Sec. 2. (a) The expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003, under this resolution shall not exceed $2,516,590, of which amount (1) not to exceed $4,667 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(I) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), and (2) not to exceed $1,167 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
(b) For the period October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall not exceed $4,427,783 of which amount (1) not to exceed
$8,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(I) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), and (2) not to exceed $2,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
(c) For the period October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall not exceed $1,886,876 of which amount (1) not to exceed
$3,333 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(I) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), and (2) not to exceed $833 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
Sec. 3. The committee shall report its findings, together with such recommendations for legislation as it deems advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable date, but not later than February 28, 2005.
Sec. 4. Expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee, except that vouchers shall not be required (1) for the disbursement of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, or (2) for the payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or
(3) for the payment of stationery supplies purchased through the Keeper of the Stationery, United States Senate, or (4) for payments to the Postmaster, United States Senate, or (5) for the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or (6) for the payment of Senate Recording and Photographic Services, or (7) for payment of franked and mass mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate.
Sec. 5. There are authorized such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions related to the compensation of employees of the committee from March 1, 2003, through September 30, 2003; October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004; and October 1, 2004, through February 28, 2005, to be paid from the Appropriations account for ``Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations.''
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