S.Res. 253 – A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Mus…

III

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 253

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 25, 2007

Mr. Lugar (for himself, Mr. Biden, and Mr. Hagel) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

June 28, 2007

Reported by Mr. Biden, without amendment

September 7, 2007

Considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy through private donations is a worthy endeavor.

Whereas the role of diplomacy in the foreign policy of the United States deserves recognition;

Whereas the day-to-day efforts of American diplomats serving in overseas embassies and in the United States also deserve recognition;

Whereas, in 1998, the Department of State began to explore the feasibility of establishing a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy (in this resolution referred to as the Museum);

Whereas the Foreign Affairs Museum Council (in this resolution referred to as the Council), a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was created subsequently to raise funds for the Museum through donations from private sector organizations, former diplomats, and concerned citizens;

Whereas no taxpayer funds will be used for the establishment of the Museum;

Whereas former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Alexander Haig, George Schultz, James Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, and Colin Powell serve as Honorary Directors of the Council;

Whereas experienced and noteworthy diplomats and foreign policy experts, including Elizabeth Bagley, Keith Brown, Frank Carlucci, Elinor Constable, Leslie Gelb, William Harrop, Arthur Hartman, Herbert Hansell, Stephen Low, Thomas Pickering, Richard Solomon, and Terence Todman, serve on the Board of Directors of the Council;

Whereas former members of the Senate, including the Honorable Paul Sarbanes, and of the House of Representatives, including the Honorable Lee Hamilton, also serve on the Board of Directors of the Council;

Whereas the Honorable Charles Mac Mathias, a former Senator and member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Council;

Whereas the Council has already raised over $1,300,000 through private donations; and

Whereas $300,000 has been spent to complete an initial concept design for the Museum: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the Senate that—

(1)

the diplomats of the United States serving overseas and in the United States are in many cases the front line of our national security policy;

(2)

the people of the United States deserve a better understanding of the efforts of these brave men and women;

(3)

talented young people and their families should be encouraged to consider careers in foreign affairs as an important contribution to their country;

(4)

the establishment of a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy that highlights the work of these men and women throughout the history of the United States is a worthy endeavor; and

(5)

the current plan of the Foreign Affairs Museum Council to fund the museum through private donations is appropriate and deserves the support of the Department of State.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the establishment of a Museum of the History of American Diplomacy through private donations is a worthy endeavor.

Legislative Activity

Floor Debate

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