32. Geography Awareness Week

Public Law 101–469 [S.J. Res. 323], 104 Stat. 1090, approved October 30, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating November 11 through 17, 1990, as "Geography Awareness Week".

Whereas geography is the study of people, their environments, and their resources;

Whereas the United States of America is a truly unique nation with diverse landscapes, bountiful resources, a distinctive multiethnic population, and a rich cultural heritage, all of which contribute to the status of the United States as a world power; Whereas the leadership of the United States in world affairs is threatened by a lack of understanding of the locations and significance of historic changes occurring around the globe;

Whereas a knowledge of geography provides a "Window on a Changing World" and a way in which to understand events and their impact on the United States;

Whereas the United States is a Nation of worldwide involvements and influence, the responsibilities of which demand an understanding of the lands, languages, and cultures of the world; Whereas geography today offers perspectives and information in understanding ourselves, our relationship to the Earth, and our interdependence with other peoples of the world;

Whereas the first federally funded National Assessment of Educational Progress survey revealed a "disturbing geography knowledge gap" among 12th graders in the United States;

Whereas this survey also indicated that many students did not know that the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, or that the Panama Canal shortens sailing time between the east and west coasts of the United Stats, nor could they identify Jerusalem on a regional map, or name the three oceans moving east around the globe from Africa;

Whereas departments of geography are being eliminated from institutes of higher learning in the United States, thus endangering the discipline of geography in this country;

Whereas, while geography as a distinct discipline has virtually disappeared from the curricula of schools in the United States, it is still being taught as a basic subject in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and the Soviet Union; Whereas an ignorance of geography, foreign languages, and cultures places the United States at a disadvantage with other countries in matters of business, politics, the environment, and global events;

Whereas one-third of adults in the United States cannot name four of the sixteen North Atlantic Treaty Organization member nations, and another one-third cannot name any; and

Whereas national attention must be focused on the integral role that knowledge of world geography plays in preparing citizens of the United States for the future of an increasingly interdependent, interconnected, and rapidly changing world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That the week of November 11 through 17, 1990, is designated as "Geography Awareness Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

33. Week for the National Observance of the 50th Anniversary of World War II

Public Law 101-491 [S.J. Res. 324], 104 Stat. 1181, approved October 31, 1990

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating June 2 through 8, 1991, as a "Week for the National Observance of the 50th Anniversary of World War II".

Whereas the brave men and women of the United States of America made tremendous sacrifices during World War II to save the world from tyranny and aggression;

Whereas the winds of freedom and democracy sweeping the globe today spring from the principles for which over 400,000 Americans gave their lives in World War II;

Whereas World War II and the events that led up to that war must be understood in order that we may better understand our own times, and more fully appreciate the reasons why eternal vigilance against any form of tyranny is so important;

Whereas the World War II era, as reflected in its family life, industry, and entertainment, was a unique period in American history, and epitomized our Nation's philosophy of hard work, courage, and tenacity in the face of adversity;

Whereas, between 1990 and 1995, over 9,000,000 American veterans of World War II will hold reunions and conferences and otherwise commemorate the 50th anniversaries of various events relating to World War II; and

Whereas June 4, 1990, marks the anniversary of the Battle of Midway and June 6, 1990, marks the anniversary of the D-Day battle: Now, therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That June 2 through June 8, 1991, is designated as a "Week for the National Observance of the 50th Anniversary of World War II", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate activities and ceremonies.

34. Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Polish Constitution

Public Law 101-532 [H.J. Res. 669], 104 Stat. 2342, approved November 7, 1990 JOINT RESOLUTION To salute and congratulate the people of Poland as the commemorate the two-hundredth anniversary of the adoption of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1991.

Whereas, the Polish Constitution of 1791 was designed to protect Poland's sovereignty and national unity, and replaced a feudal system of rule in Poland with a progressive constitutional monarchy; Whereas, the Polish Constitution secured individual freedom for all persons in Poland and guaranteed religious tolerance by assuring "to all persuasions and religions freedom and liberty", and formed a government composed of three distinct powers: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, while declaring that "all power in civil society should be derived from the will of the people"; Whereas, the Polish Constitution revitalized the parliamentary system by placing preeminent lawmaking power in a House of Deputies, by subjecting the legislative Diet to majority rule, and by granting the Diet the power to remove ministers, appoint commissars, and choose magistrates;

Whereas, the Polish Constitution provided for significant economic, social, and political reforms for its time by removing inequalities between the nobility and bourgeois, recognizing town residents as "freemen" that had judicial autonomy and expanded rights, and extending the protection of law to the peasantry, which previously had no recourse against the arbitrary action of feudal lords; and Whereas, the principles of the Polish Constitution endured and became the symbol around which a powerful new national consciousness was born, helping the Polish nation to survive long periods of misfortune over the next two centuries: Now, therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the people of the United States of America salute and congratulate the people of Poland as they commemorate the two-hundredth anniversary of the adoption of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1991, and recognize that Poland's rebirth as a free nation is supported by the legacy of the Polish Constitution of 1791;

SEC. 2. The Library of Congress is authorized and directed to commemorate this anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

SEC. 3. The President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Governors of the several States, the chief officials of local governments, and the