A resolution providing for members on the part of the Senate of the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H. Res. 134, which elects Members of the House to serve on the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library and the Joint Committee on Printing, as provided for in the applicable statutes relating to these two entities.

All of these members also serve on the Committee on House Administration, except in the case of the Joint Library Committee, where we will again be joined, pursuant to a new statute enacted in 2000, by the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

The House and Senate will each have three Majority and two Minority members on both panels. The Senate passed a resolution, S. Res. 84, electing its members to the two joint committees on March 13.

The subject matter under the jurisdiction of the joint committees requires bicameral oversight which neither chamber can exercise alone.

The Joint Committee on the Library, created originally in 1802, currently oversees the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service and the Botanic Gardens. It operates much like a ``board of trustees'' in relation to the Librarian of Congress, who is a presidential appointee, and other key Library personnel.

It supervises the Architect of the Capitol in his administration of the Botanic Gardens.

It supervises works of fine arts, including the National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol, and directs the Architect in his role in administering fine arts issues within the joint committee's jurisdiction.

The Joint Committee on Printing, created in 1846, establishes rules for congressional printing and generally oversees operations of the Government Printing Office (GPO).

In the 107th Congress, the JCP held hearings on the Administration's misguided proposal to allow executive agencies to bypass GPO and procure printing elsewhere, in violation of Federal law. Congress subsequently moved to block implementation of this proposal, and I anticipate further oversight on this subject during the current Congress.

The two joint committees do not have authority to receive or report legislation. However, both can hold hearings, issue reports and directives, and take other actions which have a substantial impact on the entities within their control, including matters relating to the expenditure of funds.

Mr. Speaker, since the three Minority members of the House Administration Committee are all new to that panel, none of us has ever served on a joint committee of Congress. I look forward to serving as ranking minority member of the Joint Committee on the Library once the joint committee has organized itself and, as expected, chooses Senator Stevens of Alaska to once again serve as the chairman under the traditional rotation between the two chambers.

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald will also serve on the panel. As a former city councilwoman, mayor, and state assemblywoman with a professional background in education, she brings a significant breadth of experience to the committee's work. I have also served with her on the Digital Divide Caucus in the House, and look forward to working with her to support initiatives the Library of Congress has taken to make information more broadly available to the public.

On the Joint Committee on Printing, where Rep. Ney will again be chairman in the 108th Congress under the rotation, I will be joined by Rep. Bob Brady of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who succeeds another Member from that city serving on the panel, Rep. Fattah.

It is fitting that we will have Bob on the JCP since he represents Philadelphia, where Benjamin Franklin established an innovative printing business at age 22, publishing newspapers, pamphlets and cartoons. Bob Brady is a cross between Ben Franklin and Rocky Balboa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a concurrent resolution which recognizes the importance of suicide prevention and raising awareness of suicide within the nation.

Suicide occurs in our nation at a rate of 30,000 suicides annually and kills youth six nine times more often than homicide. It is also the second fastest growing cause of death among college-age students. However, studies have shown that 95 percent of suicides are preventable. It is a silent epidemic that is preventable and awareness is the key to that prevention.

There are several programs throughout the country which put in hundred of hours, most from volunteers, to provide support services to prevent suicide as well as support to the families and friends who have lost loved ones to suicide. I would like to highlight one of these organizations which is based in my district in Colorado, but works throughout the country and internationally. The Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Prevention Program' provides resources to teachers, parents, and those at the most risk of suicide. They go into schools to raise the level of discussion about suicide and ways to seek help. The more suicide is talked about, the more likely those thinking about suicide will take action and ask for assistance.

Many who are considering suicide do not know where to turn for help, or even how to ask for help. Under the Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Prevention Program, Yellow Ribbon Ask 4 Help cards are made available to schools, teachers, counselors, and parents. These cards provide a simple way for individuals to ask for help, especially for those who cannot utter the words ``I need help.''

It is also important to remember that suicide does not only affect our youth, but people throughout the phases of life. In fact, the largest number of suicide deaths occurs among men between the ages of 35-44. The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, within the Department of Health and Human Services recommends and encourages organizations to expand there service to focus on elementary ages as well as the elderly.

My concurrent resolution recognizes the importance of suicide prevention and awareness, as well as reaffirms the commitment to the priorities expressed in H. Res. 212 and S. Res. 84 which were both passed in the 105th Congress. Lastly this bill states that the week of September 19, 2004 should be recognized as Yellow Ribbon Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week.

I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation to help prevent suicide and to wear a yellow ribbon the week of September 19, 2004 to raise awareness of this global epidemic.

Mr. President, today I am proud to be joined by 5 of my colleagues in submitting a resolution declaring the week of September 19, 2004, as Yellow Ribbon Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week dedicated to raising awareness about suicide and suicide prevention programs.

Suicide is a national tragedy that impacts the lives of millions of American families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the eleventh leading cause of all deaths in America, and the third such cause of death for young folks ages 10 to 24. And, unfortunately, Colorado has one of the highest suicide rates in the Nation.

Research shows that 95 percent of all suicides are preventable, and at the local, State, and Federal level, suicide prevention programs are becoming an important priority. On the Federal level, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services recently developed the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

One suicide prevention program, that has saved more than 2,500 lives is the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, founded in 1994 by Coloradans Dale and Dar Emme after their son, Mike, tragically took his own life. The program encourages youngsters, parents, and teachers to talk about suicide and emphasizes the use of a ``link'' card which young folks can carry with them and give to a friend, parent, or teacher if they are in need of assistance.

With local programs throughout the United States and programs in 47 countries, the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is used by crisis centers, schools, churches, and youth centers. And, the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program has the endorsement of various State health departments and various State education departments and the American Osteopathic Association. And, the yellow ribbon has become the international symbol for suicide prevention and awareness.

I believe that community-based efforts and programs like the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, as well as attentive parents, teachers, and friends can make all the difference to someone who is desperate but does not know how to ask for help or where to turn.

Let's work together to make suicide prevention a national priority.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Con. Res. 119, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 84, which was submitted earlier today by Senators Lott and Dodd.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.