A resolution congratulating the Los Angeles Kings on winning the 2012 Stanley Cup Championship.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 496, S. Res. 497, S. Res. 498, and S. Res. 499.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to the resolutions be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I stand today to congratulate the 2011 2012 National Hockey League champions, the Los Angeles Kings. This past season the Kings demonstrated remarkable skill, teamwork, and determination in capturing the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

Thanks to an outstanding roster of seasoned veterans and promising young players, the Kings hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in the 45-year history of the franchise. On their historic run, the Kings became the first No. 8 seed to win the NHL championship. On their way to the finals, the Kings knocked off the first seed Vancouver Canucks, the No. 2 seed St. Louis Blues, and the No. 3 seed Phoenix Coyotes before capturing the Western Conference title. Despite their low seed, the Kings were dominant in each of their series, taking a 3-to-0 lead in each and never facing an elimination game.

The Kings continued their dominance in the finals against the New Jersey Devils by once again taking a three-games-to-none lead in the series. The Devils were able to stay alive in games 4 and 5 to force the series to go to six games. However, in game six the Kings once again showed their prowess winning by a score of 6 to 1 and cementing their first championship.

Throughout the season, the Kings were a model of hard work, dedication, and consistency. It is my pleasure to congratulate all members of the Kings organization who worked tirelessly to bring this hard fought victory to Los Angeles. As the Los Angeles Kings and their fans celebrate their first Stanley Cup victory, I commend them on a truly remarkable and memorable season and wish them more success in future seasons.

S. Res. 498

(Designating June 20, 2012, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of

the United States)

Whereas on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was officially

designated as the national emblem of the United States by the

founding fathers in the Congress of the Confederation;

Whereas the bald eagle is the central image of the Great

Seal of the United States;

Whereas the image of the bald eagle is displayed in the

official seal of many branches and departments of the Federal

Government, including--

(1) the Office of the President;

(2) the Office of the Vice President;

(3) Congress;

(4) the Supreme Court;

(5) the Department of the Treasury;

(6) the Department of Defense;

(7) the Department of Justice;

(8) the Department of State;

(9) the Department of Commerce;

(10) the Department of Homeland Security;

(11) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(12) the Department of Labor;

(13) the Department of Health and Human Services;

(14) the Department of Energy;

(15) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(16) the Central Intelligence Agency; and

(17) the Postal Service;

Whereas the bald eagle is an inspiring symbol of--

(1) the spirit of freedom; and

(2) the sovereignty of the United States;

Whereas since the founding of the Nation, the image,

meaning, and symbolism of the bald eagle have played a

significant role in the art, music, history, commerce,

literature, architecture, and culture of the United States;

Whereas the bald eagle is prominently featured on the

stamps, currency, and coinage of the United States;

Whereas the habitat of bald eagles exists only in North

America;

Whereas by 1963, the population of bald eagles that nested

in the lower 48 States had declined to approximately 417

nesting pairs;

Whereas due to the dramatic decline in the population of

bald eagles in the lower 48 States, the Secretary of the

Interior listed the bald eagle as an endangered species on

the list of endangered species published under section

4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.

1533(c)(1));

Whereas caring and concerned individuals from the Federal,

State, and private sectors banded together to save, and help

ensure the recovery and protection of, bald eagles;

Whereas on July 20, 1969, the first manned lunar landing

occurred in the Apollo 11 Lunar Excursion Module, which was

named ``Eagle'';

Whereas the ``Eagle'' played an integral role in achieving

the goal of the United States of landing a man on the Moon

and returning that man safely to Earth;

Whereas in 1995, as a result of the efforts of those caring

and concerned individuals, the Secretary of the Interior

listed the bald eagle as a threatened species on the list of

threatened species published under section 4(c)(1) of the

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1));

Whereas by 2007, the population of bald eagles that nested

in the lower 48 States had increased to approximately 10,000

nesting pairs, an increase of approximately 2,500 percent

from the preceding 40 years;

Whereas in 2007, the population of bald eagles that nested

in the State of Alaska was approximately 50,000 to 70,000;

Whereas on June 28, 2007, the Secretary of the Interior

removed the bald eagle from the list of threatened species

published under section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act

of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(1));

Whereas bald eagles remain protected in accordance with--

(1) the Act entitled ``An Act for the protection of the

bald eagle'', approved June 8, 1940 (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.)

(commonly known as the ``Bald Eagle Protection Act of

1940''); and

(2) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.);

Whereas on January 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury

issued 3 limited edition bald eagle commemorative coins under

the American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem

Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law 108 486; 118 Stat. 3934);

Whereas the sale of the limited edition bald eagle

commemorative coins issued by the Secretary of the Treasury

has raised approximately $7,800,000 for the nonprofit

American Eagle Foundation of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to

support efforts to protect the bald eagle;

Whereas if not for the vigilant conservation efforts of

concerned Americans and the enactment of conservation laws

(including regulations), the bald eagle would face

extinction;

Whereas the American Eagle Foundation has brought

substantial public attention to the cause of the protection

and care of the bald eagle nationally;

Whereas November 4, 2010, marked the 25th anniversary of

the American Eagle Foundation;

Whereas facilities around the United States, such as the

Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University in the State

of Alabama, rehabilitate injured eagles for release into the

wild;

Whereas the dramatic recovery of the population of bald

eagles--

(1) is an endangered species success story; and

(2) an inspirational example for other wildlife and natural

resource conservation efforts around the world;

Whereas the initial recovery of the population of bald

eagles was accomplished by the concerted efforts of numerous

government agencies, corporations, organizations, and

individuals; and

Whereas the continuation of recovery, management, and

public awareness programs for bald eagles will be necessary

to ensure--

(1) the continued progress of the recovery of bald eagles;

and

(2) that the population and habitat of bald eagles will

remain healthy and secure for future generations: Now,

therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates June 20, 2012, as ``American Eagle Day'';

(2) applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins

by the Secretary of the Treasury as a means by which to

generate critical funds for the protection of bald eagles;

and

(3) encourages--

(A) educational entities, organizations, businesses,

conservation groups, and government agencies with a shared

interest in conserving endangered species to collaborate and

develop educational tools for use in the public schools of

the United States; and

(B) the people of the United States to observe American

Eagle Day with appropriate ceremonies and other activities.

S. Res. 499

(Recognizing the tenth anniversary of the National Institute of

Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering)

Whereas the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and

Bioengineering Establishment Act (Public Law 106 580; 114

Stat. 3088) was signed into law on December 29, 2000;

Whereas the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and

Bioengineering (referred to in this preamble as the

``Institute'') awarded its first research grants in April

2002;

Whereas the purpose of the Institute, a component of the

National Institutes of Health, is to conduct and support

research, training, dissemination of health information, and

other programs relating to biomedical imaging, biomedical

engineering, and associated technologies and modalities with

biomedical applications;

Whereas the Institute was established to--

(1) accelerate the development of new technologies with

clinical and research applications;

(2) improve coordination and efficiency at the National

Institutes of Health and throughout the Federal Government;

(3) lay the foundation for a new medical information age;

(4) promote economic development; and

(5) provide a structure for training current and future

researchers based on the most recent innovative discoveries;

Whereas the Institute and the biomedical imaging and

bioengineering research communities encourage the integration

of the physical and life sciences to advance human health by

improving quality of life and reducing the burden of disease

through research and discoveries;

Whereas, since its establishment, the Institute has

supported research to develop scientific advances in

biotechnology, imaging, and biomedical engineering, and to

advance the application of biomedical technology to improve

detection, treatment, and prevention of disease by assembling

diverse teams of scientists and engineers to pursue

innovative medical therapies and technologies to better meet

the health care needs of patients; and

Whereas the Institute has helped to support scientific

breakthroughs in areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer

treatments, and nanotechnology, which are helping health care

providers to better target care and meet the individual

health care needs of patients: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) commends the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging

and Bioengineering for its leadership in research and its

role in advancing technologies that improve patient health;

(2) recognizes the remarkable impact that biomedical

research supported by the National Institute of Biomedical

Imaging and Bioengineering has had on patients; and

(3) recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong

commitment to pursuing the next generation of life-saving

treatments and technologies for patients.

Mr. President, this week people all across our Nation are engaging in the oldest known observance of the ending of slavery-- ``Juneteenth Independence Day.'' Although passage of the 13th Amendment, in January 1863, legally abolished slavery, many African Americans remained in servitude due to the delayed dissemination of this news across the country.

It was in June of 1865, that the Union soldiers landed in Galveston, TX, with the news that the war had ended and that slavery finally had come to an end in the United States. This was 2\1/2\ years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued on January 1, 1863, and months after the conclusion of the Civil War.

This week and specifically on June 19, when slaves in the Southwest finally learned of the end of slavery, the descendants of slaves have observed this anniversary of emancipation as a remembrance of one of the most tragic periods of our Nation's history. The suffering, degradation and brutality of slavery cannot be repaired, but the memory can serve to ensure that no such inhumanity is ever perpetrated again on American soil.

Today, I am very pleased that the Senate has unanimously adopted a resolution, S. Res. 496, recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation. The resolution, which I sponsored along with Senators Hutchison, Cardin, Landrieu, Cornyn, Sherrod Brown, Boxer, Stabenow, Harkin, Begich, Durbin, Wicker, Leahy, Bill Nelson, Casey, Warner, Akaka, Webb, and Lautenberg, expresses support for the observance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and recognizes the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves, that remains an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background or race.

All across America we also celebrate the many important achievements of former slaves and their descendants. We do so because in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, son of former slaves, proposed such a recognition as a way of preserving the history of African Americans and recognizing the enormous contributions of a people of great strength, dignity, faith, and conviction--a people who rendered their achievements for the betterment and advancement of a Nation once lacking in humanity towards them. Every February, nationwide, we celebrate African American History Month. And, every year on June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day.

Lerone Bennett, Jr., writer, scholar, lecturer, and acclaimed executive editor for several decades at Ebony magazine, has reflected on the life and times of Dr. Woodson. Bennett tells us that one of the most inspiring and instructive stories in African American history is the story of Woodson's struggle and rise from the coal mines of West Virginia to the summit of academic achievement:

At 17, the young man who was called by history to reveal

Black history was an untutored coal miner. At 19, after

teaching himself the fundamentals of English and arithmetic,

he entered high school and mastered the four-year curriculum

in less than two years. At 22, after two-thirds of a year at

Berea College [in Kentucky], he returned to the coal mines

and studied Latin and Greek between trips to the mine shafts.

He then went on to the University of Chicago, where he

received his bachelor's and master's degrees, and Harvard

University, where he became the second Black to receive a

doctorate in history. The rest is history--Black history.

In keeping with the spirit and the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, I would like to pay tribute to two courageous women, claimed by my home State of Michigan, who played significant roles in addressing American injustice and inequality. These are two women of different times who would change the course of history.

The contributions of Sojourner Truth, who helped lead our country out of the dark days of slavery, and Rosa Parks whose dignified leadership sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the start of the civil rights movement, are indelibly etched in the chronicle of the history of this Nation. Moreover, they are viewed with distinction and admiration throughout the world.

Sojourner Truth, though unable to read or write, was considered one of the most eloquent and noted spokespersons of her day on the inhumanity and immorality of slavery. She was a leader in the abolitionist movement, and a groundbreaking speaker on behalf of equality for women. Michigan has honored her with the dedication of the Sojourner Truth Memorial monument, which was unveiled in Battle Creek, MI, on September 25, 1999. In April 2009,

Sojourner Truth became the first African American woman to be memorialized with a bust in the U.S. Capitol. The ceremony to unveil Truth's likeness was appropriately held in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor's Center. I was pleased to cosponsor the legislation to make this fitting tribute possible. Sojourner Truth lived in Washington, DC for several years, helping slaves who had fled from the South and appearing at women's suffrage gatherings. She returned to Battle Creek in 1875, and remained there until her death in 1883. Sojourner Truth spoke from her heart about the most troubling issues of her time. A testament to Truth's convictions is that her words continue to speak to us today.

On May 4, 1999, legislation was enacted which authorized the President of the United States to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks. I was pleased to coauthor this tribute to Rosa Parks--the gentle warrior who decided that she would no longer tolerate the humiliation and demoralization of racial segregation on a bus. I was also pleased to be a part of the effort to direct the Architect of the Capitol to commission a statue of Rosa Parks, which will soon be placed in the U.S. Capitol, making her the second African American woman to receive such an honor.

Her personal bravery and self-sacrifice are remembered with reverence and respect by us all. Over 55 years ago, in Montgomery, AL, the modern civil rights movement began when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus. The strength and spirit of this courageous woman captured the consciousness of not only the American people, but the entire world. The boycott which Rosa Parks began was the start of an American revolution that elevated the status of African Americans nationwide and introduced to the world a young leader who would one day have a national holiday declared in his honor, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition, the overwhelming majority of my colleagues in the Senate joined me in sponsoring legislation authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal to be presented to Dr. King, posthumously, and Coretta Scott King in recognition of their contributions to the Nation. Companion legislation was led in the House by Representative John Lewis.

We have come a long way toward achieving justice and equality for all. We still however have work to do. In the names of Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and many others, let us rededicate ourselves to continuing the struggle of civil rights and human rights.

I am also pleased to join Senator Hutchison and other members of the Senate in sponsoring another measure introduced today in recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day, which will require further action in the Senate. It is a Joint Resolution requesting the President to issue a proclamation each year designating Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Day of Observance, encouraging Americans of all races, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate freedom and the end of slavery in the United States.

In closing, I would like to pay tribute to the Juneteenth directors and event coordinators throughout my State of Michigan. They have worked tirelessly in the planning of intergenerational activities in observance of Juneteenth, heading up a wide range of activities over several days in Detroit, Flint, Holland, Lansing, Saginaw, and other areas around the State.

S. Res. 497

(Congratulating the Los Angeles Kings on winning the 2012 Stanley Cup

Championship)

Whereas, on June 11, 2012, the Los Angeles Kings were

crowned National Hockey League champions after defeating the

New Jersey Devils by a score of 6-1 in Game 6 of the 2012

Stanley Cup Finals;

Whereas this is the first Stanley Cup title that the Los

Angeles Kings have won since the team entered the National

Hockey League in 1967;

Whereas the Los Angeles Kings are the first 8th seeded

playoff team to win the Stanley Cup;

Whereas the Los Angeles Kings never allowed an opposing

team with a higher seed or home-ice advantage to intimidate

them;

Whereas, en route to their first Stanley Cup appearance

since 1993, the Los Angeles Kings quickly dispatched the

defending Western Conference Champions, the Vancouver

Canucks, dominated the upstart St. Louis Blues, and defeated

the Phoenix Coyotes, who were the Pacific Division Champions;

Whereas Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown is the first

American team captain of a Stanley Cup champion since 1999;

Whereas Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick performed

admirably in each playoff game, totaling 125 saves and

maintaining a .946 save percentage during the Stanley Cup

Finals, and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is awarded

to the player considered most valuable to his team during the

Stanley Cup Playoffs;

Whereas each of the 26 players on the Los Angeles Kings

playoff roster should receive recognition, including Most

Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Jonathan Quick,

team captain Dustin Brown, Jonathan Bernier, Jeff Carter,

Kyle Clifford, Drew Doughty, David Drewiske, Colin Fraser,

Simon Gagne, Matt Greene, Dwight King, Anze Kopitar, Trevor

Lewis, Andrei Loktionov, Alec Martinez, Willie Mitchell,

Jordan Nolan, Scott Parse, Dustin Penner, Mike Richards, Brad

Richardson, Rob Scuderi, Jarret Stoll, Slava Voynov, Kevin

Westgarth, and Justin Williams; and

Whereas team owners Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski,

General Manager Dean Lombardi, and head coach Darryl Sutter

admirably assembled the team that comprised the 2012 Los

Angeles Kings and led them through one dominant performance

after another in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Now,

therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) congratulates the Los Angeles Kings on winning the 2012

Stanley Cup Championship; and

(2) commends the Los Angeles Kings fans in California and

across the Nation for showing the team support throughout its

45-year history.

Mr. President, I am in support of this resolution with Senator Boxer congratulating the Los Angeles Kings on their 2012 Stanley Cup Championship. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the players, staff, and fans for obtaining professional hockey's ultimate prize.

The Los Angeles Kings have won the Stanley Cup for the first time in the 45-year history of their franchise. Since 1967 the Kings have proudly represented the Los Angeles community with unwavering commitment. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.