A concurrent resolution recognizing the importance of Ralph Bunche as one of the great leaders of the United States, the first African-American Nobel Peace Prize winner, an accomplished scholar, a distinguished diplomat, and a tireless campaigner of civil rights for people throughout the world.

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 82 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

1st Session
S. CON. RES. 82

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas Ralph Bunche's life of achievement made him one of the 20th century's
foremost figures and a role model for youth;
Whereas Ralph Bunche graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta
Kappa from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1927 with a
degree in International Relations;
Whereas Ralph Bunche was the first African-American to receive a Ph.D. in
Government and International Relations at Harvard University in 1934;
Whereas Ralph Bunche served as a professor and established and chaired the
Political Science Department at Howard University from 1928 to 1941;
Whereas, in 1941, Ralph Bunche served as an analyst for the Office of Strategic
Services;
Whereas Ralph Bunche joined the Department of State in 1944 as an advisor;
Whereas Ralph Bunche served as an advisor to the United States delegation to the
1945 San Francisco conference charged with establishing the United
Nations and drafting the Charter of the organization;
Whereas Ralph Bunche was instrumental in drafting Chapters XI and XII of the
United Nations Charter, dealing with non-self-governing territories and
the International Trusteeship System, which helped African countries
achieve their independence and assisted in their transition to self-
governing, sovereign states;
Whereas, in 1946, Ralph Bunche was appointed Director of the Trusteeship
Division of the United Nations;
Whereas, in 1948, Ralph Bunche was named acting Chief Mediator in Palestine for
the United Nations, and, in 1949, successfully brokered an armistice
agreement between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria;
Whereas Ralph Bunche was deeply committed to ending colonialism and restoring
individual State sovereignty through peaceful means;
Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People awarded
its highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, to Ralph Bunche in 1949;
Whereas for his many significant contributions and efforts toward achieving a
peaceful resolution to seemingly intractable national and international
disputes, Ralph Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950, the
first African-American and the first person of color to be so honored;
Whereas Ralph Bunche was named United Nations Under-Secretary-General in 1955,
in charge of directing peacekeeping missions in several countries;
Whereas, in 1963, Ralph Bunche received the United States' highest civilian
award, the Medal of Freedom; and
Whereas Ralph Bunche's critical contributions to the attempt to resolve the
Arab-Israeli conflict and towards the de-colonization of Africa, and his
commitment to and long service in the United Nations and numerous other
national and international humanitarian efforts, warrant his
commemoration: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
That Congress--
(1) recognizes and honors Ralph Bunche as a pivotal 20th
century figure in the struggle for the realization and
attainment of human rights on a global scale; and
(2) urges the President to take appropriate measures to
encourage the celebration and remembrance of Ralph Bunche's
many significant achievements.

Passed the Senate November 22, 2003.

Attest:

Secretary.
108th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. CON. RES. 82

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the importance of Ralph Bunche as one of the great leaders
of the United States, the first African-American Nobel Peace Prize
winner, an accomplished scholar, a distinguished diplomat, and a
tireless campaigner of civil rights for people throughout the world.