A resolution commending Bob Hope for his dedication and commitment to the Nation.

Mr. President, I rise to submit a concurrent resolution on behalf of myself, Senator Chafee and Senator Kennedy. This resolution deals with an issue that I have been working on for many years in a bipartisan manner. It simply calls on the United States to take a leading role in the drafting of an international convention on the human rights of individuals with disabilities. Such a treaty could improve the lives of over 600 million individuals with disabilities throughout the world.

For the past twenty years, the United States has put politics aside and has taken a lead role in the world toward the understanding that disability rights are human rights. I chaired the Senate's Subcommittee on the Handicapped at the time that the Americans With Disabilities Act was being considered by Congress and was a leading author of the ADA. During hearings, I heard over and over again stories of people with disabilities suffering from discrimination--not getting a job because of a disability; being locked up in a nursing home or institution because of a disability; not being able to get into schools, restaurants, stores, banks and other places of business because of a disability. This kind of discrimination is wrong. It is wrong in the United States and it is wrong throughout the world.

In 1990, then President Bush signed the ADA into law. He said, ``This historic Act is the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. Its passage has made the United States the international leader on this human rights issue.'' The United States did lead the way in 1990, and it has another historic opportunity to lead the way today.

The issue of disability rights is very personal to me. As many of my colleagues know, my brother Frank was deaf. Because of his disability, he was sent to a school for the ``deaf and dumb'' across the State. Frank said to me, ``I may be deaf but I am not dumb.'' I think of how many children, like Frank, in the world are suffering the effects of this sort of discrimination. How many children are not going to school because they are deaf, or use a wheelchair, or are blind? How many adults with these same disabilities are not working, not earning a living, not participating in civil society?

In recent months, we have all witnessed the situation people with disabilities face in Iraq and in Afghanistan. We have seen footage of the results of the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. We have seen many individuals who have life-long disabilities as a result of his cruelty. Many more are victims of terrorism and cruelty who now suffer the added injury of discrimination.

America has an historic opportunity to help change the lives of these children and adults from around the world and open the doors of opportunity to them. It is time for the world community to come together and write an important new chapter and break down the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating in their communities and play an active role in civil society. It is time to say to all of the world that disability rights are human rights, not just in the United States, but everywhere in the world. I strongly urge the Bush Administration to take a lead and work with other member Nations in the drafting of this resolution. Under the auspices of the United Nations, member states are scheduled to meet next week in New York to consider proposals for a comprehensive treaty to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. I cannot think of a more worthwhile role the Administration could play than to be a leader on this issue and to fully support a convention on the rights of individuals with disabilities.

America's leadership in this process will help create a treaty that is both well intentioned and relevant, one that may fulfill its potential and vastly improve the perceptions, treatment and conditions of people with disabilities throughout the world. The United States must continue to lead the way in this important international effort.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 165 which was submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.