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 S11905-S11906 on Dec. 7, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 483--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE
DETENTION OF TIBETAN POLITICAL PRISONERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 483
Whereas, according to the Department of State and international human rights organizations, the Government of the People's Republic of China continues to commit widespread and well-documented human rights abuses in Tibet;
Whereas the People's Republic of China has yet to demonstrate its willingness to abide by internationally accepted standards of freedom of belief, expression, and association by repealing or amending laws and decrees that restrict those freedoms;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has detained hundreds of Tibetan nuns, monks, and lay persons as political prisoners for speaking out against China's occupation of Tibet and for their efforts to preserve Tibet's distinct national identity;
Whereas Phuntsog Nyidron was arrested on October 14, 1989, together with 5 other nuns, for participating in a peaceful protest against China's occupation of Tibet;
Whereas, on February 26, 2004, following a sustained international campaign on her behalf, the Government of the People's Republic of China released Phuntsog Nyidron from detention after she served more than 14 years of her 16-year sentence;
Whereas Tenzin Delek, a prominent Tibetan religious leader, and 3 other monks were arrested on April 7, 2002, during a nighttime raid on Jamyang Choekhorling monastery in Nyagchu County, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture;
Whereas, following a closed trial and more than 8 months of incommunicado detention, Tenzin Delek and another Tibetan, Lobsang Dhondup, were convicted of inciting separatism and for their alleged involvement in a series of bombings on December 2, 2002;
Whereas Lobsang Dhondup was sentenced to death and Tenzin Delek was sentenced to death with a 2-year suspension;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China told senior officials of the United States and other governments that the cases of Lobsang Dhondup and Tenzin Delek would be subjected to a ``lengthy review'' by the Supreme People's Court prior to the death sentences being carried out;
Whereas the Supreme People's Court never carried out this review, and Lobsang Dhondup was executed on January 26, 2003;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has failed to produce any evidence that either Lobsang Dhondup or Tenzin Delek were involved in the crimes for which they were convicted, despite repeated requests from officials of the United States and other governments;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China continues to imprison Tibetans for engaging in peaceful efforts to protest China's repression of Tibetans and preserve the Tibetan identity;
Whereas Tibetan political prisoners are routinely subjected to beatings, electric shock, solitary confinement, and other forms of torture and inhumane treatment while in Chinese custody;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China continues to exert control over religious and cultural institutions in Tibet, abusing human rights through the torture, arbitrary arrest, and detention without fair or public trial of Tibetans who peacefully express their political or religious views or attempt to preserve the unique Tibetan identity; and
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has paroled individual political prisoners for good behavior or for medical reasons in the face of strong international pressure, but has failed to make the systemic changes necessary to provide minimum standards of due process or protections for basic civil and political rights: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the Government of the People's Republic of China is in violation of international human rights standards by detaining and mistreating Tibetans who engage in peaceful activities to protest China's repression of Tibetans or promote the preservation of a distinct Tibetan identity;
(2) sustained international pressure on the Government of the People's Republic of China is essential to improve the human rights situation in Tibet and secure the release of Tibetan political prisoners;
(3) the Government of the United States should--
(A) raise the cases of Tenzin Delek and other political prisoners at every opportunity with officials from the People's Republic of China; and
(B) work with other governments concerned about human rights in China, including the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas, to encourage the release of political prisoners and promote systemic improvement of human rights in China; and
(4) the Government of the People's Republic of China should, as a gesture of goodwill and in order to promote human rights, immediately release all political prisoners, including Tenzin Delek.
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SENATE RESOLUTION 484--TO HONOR AND THANK ROBERT RAY HOWE
Mr. FRIST submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 484
Whereas Assistant Chief Robert Ray Howe, a native of the State of Wyoming, was appointed as a United States Capitol Police Private on March 4, 1971;
Whereas Assistant Chief Howe, throughout his career, has distinguished himself through countless commendations and recognition for professionalism and extraordinary service for the United States Capitol Police;
Whereas Assistant Chief Howe, through extraordinary efforts and dedication during his outstanding career of over thirty
(30) years, rose from the rank of private to the position of Assistant Chief of Police, the second in command of the United States Capitol Police;
Resolved, That the Senate hereby honors and thanks Robert Ray Howe and his family for a lifelong professional commitment of service to the United States Capitol Police and the United States Congress.
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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 152--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS
THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE ITS
STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF
AMERICA, IN PARTICULAR THE PERIODIC NATIONAL AND WORLD BOY SCOUT
JAMBOREES
Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself, Mr. Allard, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, and Mr. Allen) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:
S. Con. Res. 152
Whereas the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910, and received a Federal charter on June 15, 1916, which is codified as chapter 309 of title 36, United States Code;
Whereas section 30902 of title 36, United States Code, states that it is the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America to promote, through organization, and cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for themselves and others, to train them in scoutcraft, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues;
Whereas, since its inception, millions of Americans of every race, creed, and religion have participated in the Boy Scouts of America, and the Boy Scouts of America, as of October 1, 2004, utilizes more than 1,200,000 adult volunteers to serve 2,863,000 youth members organized in 121,051 units;
Whereas the Department of Defense and members of the Armed Forces have a long history of supporting the activities of the Boy Scouts of America and individual Boy Scout troops inside the United States, and section 2606 of title 10, United States Code, enacted in 1988, specifically authorizes the Department of Defense to cooperate with and assist the Boy Scouts of America in establishing and providing facilities and services for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, and civilian employees of the Department of Defense and their dependents, at locations outside the United States;
Whereas sections 4682, 7541, and 9682 of title 10, United States Code, authorize the Department of Defense to sell and, in certain cases, donate obsolete or excess material to the Boy Scouts of America to support its activities; and
Whereas Public Law 92-249, enacted on March 10, 1972, and codified as section 2554 of title 10, United States Code, recognizes that Boy Scout Jamborees may be held on military installations and authorizes the Department of Defense to loan certain equipment and to provide transportation from the United States or military commands overseas, and return, at no expense to the United States Government, and to provide other personnel services and logistical support to the Boy Scouts of America to support national and world gatherings of Boy Scouts at events known as Boy Scout Jamborees: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the Department of Defense should continue to exercise its long-standing statutory authority to support the activities of the Boy Scouts of America, in particular the periodic national and world Boy Scout Jamborees.
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