Just for reference, the following is a link to the joint house resolution 173.
Congressional Record - 101st Congress (1989-1990) - THOMAS (Library of Congress):
EDUCATION DAY, U.S.A. (House of Representatives - April 05, 1989)
[Page: H947]
Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 173) to designate April 16, 1989, as `Education Day, U.S.A.,' and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
Mr. RIDGE. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, and I certainly do not, I would simply like to inform my colleagues in the House that the gentleman from Illinois [Mr.
Michel], our leader, is the chief sponsor of House Joint Resolution 173 and is unable to be on the floor.
- Mr. MICHEL. Mr. Speaker, I welcome this opportunity to say a few words about House Joint Resolution 173, requesting the President to designate April 16, 1989, as `Education Day, U.S.A.'
- Along with the distinguished majority leader, Tom Foley, I am sponsoring this resolution. We joined forces last year and I am happy to be part of this worthy venture today.
- As I said last year, I think it is fitting that the majority and the minority leaders should cosponsor such a resolution. It deals with a subject that transcends partisan consideration.
- We are seeing a rebirth of the old American idea of progress through education for all Americans. That is still a great idea.
- April 16 also happens to be the 87th birthday of a remarkable religious leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
- He is the internationally renowned and respected leader of the Lubavitch movement which actively promotes education programs at more than 150 centers in the United States.
- The Lubavitch movement, founded in the 18th century, has as its philosophical foundation three basic elements: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.
- It is, therefore, appropriate that the movement, under the inspired leader of the man called the rebbe, has been so active in promoting education.
- Looking over my remarks from last year, I came upon a fact I want to share with you today.
- The movement which the rebbe heads takes its name from the Russian city, Lubavitch, which translated into English means, city of love.
- In the final analysis it is love of one's religious heritage, love of learning--that is at the heart of the Lubavitch movement and at the heart of our resolution.
- I am pleased once again to honor a great man and to support such a fine idea.
Mr. RIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:
H.J. Res. 173
Whereas Congress recognizes the historical tradition of ethical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded;
Whereas these ethical values and principles have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the seven Noahide Laws;
Whereas without these ethical values and principles the edifice of civilization stands in serious peril of returning to chaos;
Whereas society is profoundly concerned with the recent weakening of these principles that has resulted in crisis that beleaguer and threaten the fabric of civilized society;
Whereas the justified preoccupation with these crisis must not let the citizens of this National lose sight of thier responsibility to transmit these historical ethical values from our distinguished past to the generations of the future;
Whereas the Lubavitch movement through its over one hundred and fifty centers in the United States and many more the world over has fostered and promoted these ethical values and principles throughout the world;
Whereas Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the Lubavitch movement, is universally respected and revered and his eighty-seventh year will be seen as the year of continued `turn and return', the year in which we continue to turn to an education which will return the world to the moral and ethical values contained in the Seven Noahide Laws;
Whereas, this year of 1989 (5749 on the Hebrew calendar) is the `40th anniversary' in which the Rebbe completes the fourth decade since his ascension to the world leadership of the Lubavitch movement and spiritual guidance of world Jewry; and
Whereas this has been reflected in the `international scroll of honor' which has been signed by the President of the United States and other heads of state: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That April 16, 1989, the eighty-seventh birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader and head of the worldwide Lubavitch movement, is designated as `Education Day, U.S.A.'. The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. We also call on heads of state of the world to join our President in this tribute by signing similar scrolls of honor which will be presented in their respective countries this year of the `40th Anniversary'. On this occasion we would also welcome the cooperation of the Department of State in extending the good office of the United States missions to the Lubavitcher emissaries.
[Page: H948]
AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. SAWYER
Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr.
Sawyer: Page 2, line 5, strike `is' and insert `and April 6, 1990, are each'.
Page 2, line 7, insert `each' after `observe'.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr.
Sawyer].
The amendment was agreed to.
The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed.
TITLE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. SAWYER
Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the title.
The Clerk read as follows:
Title amendment offered by Mr.
Sawyer: Amend the title so as to read: `Joint resolution to designate April 16, 1989, and April 6, 1990, as `Education Day, U.S.A.'.'
The title amendment was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
