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February 15, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S703 SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS eties of the , such as the Na- Whereas the tional Society of the Sons of the American trained for their manned space flight mis- Revolution and the National Society Daugh- sions in the Multi-Axis Space Training Iner- SENATE RESOLUTION 376—COM- ters of the American Revolution, in pro- tial Facility at NASA’s Research Center in MEMORATING THE 225TH ANNI- moting patriotism and the values embodied , ; VERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF in the Constitution of the United States. Whereas was chosen to pilot f the first manned Project Mercury mission on THE CONSTITUTION OF THE Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961, which proved that UNITED STATES AND RECOG- SENATE RESOLUTION 377—RECOG- the United States was capable of successfully NIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY launching a person into suborbital flight; THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE OF THE HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT Whereas Virgil Grissom was chosen to SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVO- OF JOHN HERSCHEL GLENN, JR., pilot the second manned Project Mercury LUTION AND THE NATIONAL SO- IN BECOMING THE FIRST UNITED mission on Liberty Bell 7 and became the sec- CIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE STATES TO ond United States astronaut to achieve sub- orbital flight on July 21, 1961; AMERICAN REVOLUTION THE EARTH Whereas the had successfully Mr. WICKER submitted the following Mr. BROWN of Ohio (for himself, Mr. launched the spacecrafts Lunar 2 and Lunar resolution; which was referred to the PORTMAN, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. 3 in 1959 before successfully launching and Committee on the Judiciary: ROCKEFELLER, Mr. WICKER, Mr. BOOZ- returning to Earth Yuri Gagarin, who completed a 108-minute single orbit around S. RES. 376 MAN, Mr. DURBIN, Mrs. HUTCHISON, Mr. the Earth in 1961; PRYOR, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. REID of Ne- Whereas the American Revolution secured Whereas John Glenn was selected from the independence of the United States of vada, Mr. SCHUMER, and Mr. LEVIN) among the Project Mercury astronauts to America and made possible the vibrant sys- submitted the following resolution; command the first United States capsule to tem of self-government of the United States; which was considered and agreed to: orbit the Earth; Whereas the supporters of the American S. RES. 377 Whereas John Glenn, with the help of his Revolution, through their vision and deter- Whereas John Herschel Glenn, Jr. was born children Dave and Lyn, named the first mination, enhanced the lives of countless in- on , 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio to par- United States to orbit the dividuals and made possible the system of ents John and Clara Glenn; Earth Friendship 7, re-emphasizing the peace- equal justice, limited government, and the Whereas John Glenn grew up in New Con- ful intentions of the United States space ex- rule of law that exists in the United States; cord, Ohio with his childhood sweetheart and ploration program; Whereas the people who fought in the future wife, Annie Castor, 150 miles east of Whereas John Glenn trained vigorously, American Revolution made great sacrifices Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of the Wright working through 70 simulated missions and for their fledgling country; brothers, who first took humankind into reacting to nearly 200 simulated system fail- Whereas the 55 delegates who attended the flight; ures, to prepare to orbit the Earth and suc- Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Whereas John Glenn enlisted in the Naval cessfully complete the first manned orbital Pennsylvania 225 years ago, and the 39 dele- Aviation Cadet program shortly after the mission for the United States; gates who signed the Constitution of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, Whereas the work that John Glenn con- United States at the Constitutional Conven- Hawaii, and was commissioned as an officer ducted on the cockpit layout, instrument tion, irrevocably changed the course of his- in the United States Marine Corps in 1943; panel design, and spacecraft controls in the tory; Whereas John Glenn received many honors Mercury spacecraft enhanced the design of Whereas the Constitution of the United for his military service, including the Distin- Friendship 7 and the ability of an astronaut States, a revered and living document— guished Flying Cross on 6 occasions, the Air to control Friendship 7, which proved useful (1) provides important rights to every cit- Medal with 18 Clusters, the Asiatic-Pacific during the mission; izen of the United States; Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Whereas, at 9:47 a.m. Eastern Standard (2) secures ‘‘the Blessings of Liberty to Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Time on , 1962, the 109D ourselves and our Posterity’’; and , the National Defense rocket boosters ignited and John Glenn and (3) sets the standard of democracy for the Service Medal, and the Korean Service Friendship 7 commenced liftoff at NASA’s world; Medal; Space Center in , Florida; Whereas the delegates to the Constitu- Whereas, with the onset of the , Whereas John Glenn, aboard Friendship 7, tional Convention in 1787 established the im- the United States and the free world feared became the first United States astronaut to perative precedent of compromise; the intentions of the Soviet Union in space; orbit the Earth, orbiting 3 times and observ- Whereas the Constitution and the subse- Whereas President Dwight D. Eisenhower ing 3 sunrises, 3 sunsets, and the wonder of quent 27 amendments to the Constitution asked the National Aeronautics and Space the universe in only 4 hours and 56 minutes; outline the freedoms and the principles of Administration (referred to in this preamble Whereas, when John Glenn learned that representative government that are as as ‘‘NASA’’) to find the most talented, patri- the heat shield on Friendship 7 had possibly strong today as they were on that momen- otic, and selfless test pilots to participate in become loose in orbit, compromising the suc- tous occasion in 1787; Project Mercury, the first human cessful completion of the space mission, Whereas September 17, 2012, marks the program in the United States; Glenn bravely managed the reentry proce- 225th anniversary of the signing of the Con- Whereas John Glenn and fellow candidates dures and proved that a person can safely stitution of the United States, which is the for NASA’s Astronaut Corps underwent pres- and successfully complete a NASA mission; supreme law of the land and the document sure suit, acceleration, vibration, heat, loud Whereas John Glenn successfully com- by which the people of the United States noise, psychiatric, personality, motivation, pleted reentry into Earth, splashing down in govern their great country; and aptitude tests at the Aeromedical Lab- the Atlantic Ocean at 2:43 p.m. Eastern Whereas, to venerate the immeasurable oratory at the Wright Air Development Cen- Standard Time, east of at importance of the Constitution and the day ter in Dayton, Ohio; 21 degrees, 25 minutes North latitude and 68 on which the Constitution was signed, it is Whereas John Glenn, Malcolm S. Car- degrees, 36 minutes West longitude, and was essential to continually educate people penter, L. , Jr., Virgil I. recovered by the USS Noa; about, and celebrate, the principles and leg- ‘‘Gus’’ Grissom, Walter M. Shirra, Jr., Alan Whereas, in the context of the Cold War, acy of the Founding Fathers; and B. Shepard, Jr., and Donald K. Slayton were the success of the Friendship 7 flight restored Whereas members of organizations such as selected from among hundreds of other patri- the standing of the United States as the the National Society of the Sons of the otic candidates to be named the original leading country in the race to space against American Revolution and the National Soci- ‘‘’’ astronauts; the Soviet Union; ety Daughters of the American Revolution Whereas Project Mercury was charged with Whereas the completion of the inaugural play an important role in promoting patriot- the unprecedented responsibility of com- orbit of the Earth by John Glenn validated ism, preserving the history of the United peting with the strides that the Soviet Union NASA’s manned space flight mission and se- States, and educating the public about the was making in space exploration; cured the future missions of NASA’s manned rights and responsibilities of citizenship: Whereas the United States public viewed space capsules; Now, therefore, be it John Glenn and the Mercury Seven astro- Whereas the people of the United States Resolved, That the Senate— nauts as men on the front line of the war not heralded John Glenn as the personification (1) commemorates the 225th anniversary of only for space supremacy but also, in many of heroism and dignity in an age of uncer- the signing of the Constitution of the United minds, for the survival of the United States; tainty and fear; States on September 17, 2012, and remembers Whereas John Glenn accurately captured Whereas the press later described John the sacrifices made by the people who made the significance of the time when he later Glenn as a man who embodied the noblest the signing possible; and wrote that ‘‘the world was at the door of a human qualities; (2) applauds the continuing contributions new age, and we were the people who had Whereas President John F. Kennedy made by the members, volunteers, and staff been chosen to take the first steps across the echoed the belief held by John Glenn that of historical, educational, and patriotic soci- threshold’’; the United States space program was not

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:32 Feb 16, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A15FE6.032 S15FEPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with SENATE S704 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 15, 2012 just a scientific journey but also a source of costly to society, including lower individual (2) it is the sense of the Senate that chil- inspiration and pride, saying, ‘‘our leader- lifetime earnings, poorer educational dren should have a safe, loving, nurturing, ship in science and industry, our hopes for achievement, and higher consumption of and permanent family; and peace and security . . . require us to solve health services, which in turn could lead to (3) it is the policy of the United States these mysteries and to solve them for the a greater risk of criminal activity and great- that family reunification, kinship care, or good of all men’’; er risk of incarceration; domestic and intercountry adoption pro- Whereas John Glenn is a patriot and space Whereas there is scientific evidence that motes permanency and stability to a greater pioneer who encouraged the people of the children deprived of a family, including con- degree than long-term institutionalization United States to rightfully view NASA as an nections with siblings, often experience trau- and long-term, continually disrupted foster embodiment of the persistent quest of the ma, which can have a detrimental impact on care. the development of a child; people of the United States to expand their f knowledge and explore frontiers; Whereas some estimates show that there Whereas, in retirement, John and Annie are approximately 18 million children in the AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED AND Glenn continued their public service by es- world who have lost both parents and at PROPOSED tablishing the John Glenn School of Public least 2 million children in the world who are SA 1618. Mr. BARRASSO (for himself and Affairs at The , living in institutional care; Mr. BLUNT) submitted an amendment in- up to the words of John Glenn, who said, ‘‘If Whereas there are approximately 408,000 tended to be proposed by him to the bill S. there is one thing I’ve learned in my years children in the United States foster-care sys- 1813, to reauthorize Federal-aid highway and on this planet, it’s that the happiest and tem and 107,000 of them are awaiting adop- highway safety construction programs, and most fulfilled people I’ve known are those tion; for other purposes; which was ordered to lie who devoted themselves to something bigger Whereas within the current foster-care sys- tem, many children are overmedicated, on the table. and more profound than merely their own SA 1619. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amend- self-interest.’’; and housed in inadequate group homes, denied the ability to engage in age-appropriate ac- ment intended to be proposed by him to the Whereas, although 50 years have passed, bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie the historic orbit of John Glenn around the tivities, such as afterschool activities, and often denied access to their siblings or place- on the table. Earth aboard Friendship 7 remains a source SA 1620. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amend- of pride and honor for the people of the ment with a relative guardian due to insuffi- cient efforts to locate family members; ment intended to be proposed by him to the United States: Now, therefore, be it bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie Resolved, That the Senate— Whereas thousands of children who ‘‘age on the table. (1) honors the 50th anniversary of the land- out’’ of the foster-care system in the United SA 1621. Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. mark mission of John Herschel Glenn, Jr., in States every year lack the security or sup- FRANKEN, and Mr. BEGICH) submitted an piloting the first manned orbital mission for port of a biological or adoptive family, con- amendment intended to be proposed by her the United States; nections with siblings and relatives, or a per- to the bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered (2) recognizes the profound importance of manent relationship with a caring adult and to lie on the table. the achievement of John Glenn as a catalyst struggle to secure affordable housing, health SA 1622. Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and for space exploration and scientific advance- insurance, higher education, and adequate Mr. BEGICH) submitted an amendment in- ment in the United States; and employment; tended to be proposed by her to the bill S. (3) honors the thousands of dedicated men Whereas current governmental efforts to 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie on the and women of the National Aeronautics and assist these highly vulnerable children in the table. Space Administration who worked on United States and around the world do not SA 1623. Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself and Project Mercury and ensured the success of include an effective strategy for securing a Mr. CORNYN) submitted an amendment in- the Friendship 7 Mercury mission. protective family, connections with siblings and relatives, or a permanent relationship tended to be proposed by her to the bill S. f with a caring adult for every child; and 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie on the SENATE RESOLUTION 378—EX- Whereas while there have been several bi- table. PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE partisan laws enacted in the past several SA 1624. Mr. BENNET (for himself, Mr. years that have made progress on a number MORAN, and Mr. UDALL of Colorado) sub- SENATE THAT CHILDREN of needed child-welfare reforms, much re- mitted an amendment intended to be pro- SHOULD HAVE A SAFE, LOVING, mains to be done to ensure that all children posed by him to the bill S. 1813, supra; which NURTURING, AND PERMANENT have a safe, loving, nurturing, and perma- was ordered to lie on the table. FAMILY AND THAT IT IS THE nent family, regardless of age or special SA 1625. Mr. JOHANNS submitted an POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES needs: Now, therefore, be it amendment intended to be proposed by him THAT FAMILY REUNIFICATION, Resolved, That— to the bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered KINSHIP CARE, OR DOMESTIC (1) the Senate— to lie on the table. (A) affirms that all children in the world, AND INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION SA 1626. Mr. COBURN submitted an amend- including those with special needs, deserve a ment intended to be proposed by him to the PROMOTES PERMANENCY AND safe, loving, nurturing, and permanent fam- bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie STABILITY TO A GREATER DE- ily, connections with siblings and relatives, on the table. GREE THAN LONG-TERM INSTI- or a permanent relationship with a caring SA 1627. Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and TUTIONALIZATION AND LONG- adult; Mr. DURBIN) submitted an amendment in- TERM, CONTINUALLY DIS- (B) acknowledges that the United States tended to be proposed by him to the bill S. RUPTED FOSTER CARE Government can and should do more by 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie on the working with the private sector, nonprofit table. Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mr. organizations, and faith-based communities SA 1628. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amend- LUGAR, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. GRASSLEY, to implement cost effective strategies that ment intended to be proposed by him to the Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. connect children living outside of family bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mrs. care with a permanent, supportive family, or on the table. HUTCHISON, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. NELSON of connections with siblings and relatives, or a SA 1629. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amend- Nebraska) submitted the following res- permanent relationship with a caring adult; ment intended to be proposed by him to the olution; which was considered and (C) encourages States, counties, cities, and bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered to lie to the extent appropriate, other govern- on the table. agreed to: ments to invest resources in family preserva- SA 1630. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an S. RES. 378 tion, reunification services, services to help amendment intended to be proposed by her Whereas the family is the basic unit of so- older youth transition out of care with a to the bill S. 1813, supra; which was ordered ciety and contributes to the emotional, fi- connection to siblings, relatives or a caring to lie on the table. nancial, and material support essential for adult, kinship adoption, domestic adoption, SA 1631. Mr. UDALL, of New Mexico sub- the healthy growth and development of chil- and intercountry adoption and post adoption mitted an amendment intended to be pro- dren; strategies to ensure that more children in posed by him to the bill S. 1813, supra; which Whereas children without a family or con- the United States are provided with safe, was ordered to lie on the table. nections to siblings and relatives or a perma- loving, and permanent family placements or SA 1632. Mr. UDALL, of New Mexico sub- nent relationship with a caring adult are at a permanent relationship with a caring mitted an amendment intended to be pro- risk of being homeless, growing up in sub- adult; and posed by him to the bill S. 1813, supra; which standard institutional care, and are vulner- (D) recognizes the United States Agency was ordered to lie on the table. able to sexual and labor exploitation and for International Development and the De- SA 1633. Mr. REID proposed an amendment abuse; partment of State for recent efforts to de- to the bill S. 1813, supra. Whereas research has shown that children velop a strategy for meeting the unique SA 1634. Mr. REID proposed an amendment who are abandoned, abused, or severely ne- needs of children living outside of family to amendment SA 1633 proposed by Mr. REID glected can face significant risks that are care; to the bill S. 1813, supra.

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