33. National Hostage Awareness Day

Public Law 101–122 [H.J. Res. 400], 103 Stat. 757, approved October 23, 1989

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating October 27, 1989, as "National Hostage
Awareness Day".

Whereas 10 innocent citizens of the United States have been held hostage in Lebanon;

Whereas it is reported that 1 of the hostages, Lieutenant Colonel William R. Higgins, taken February 17, 1988, was killed by his captors;

Whereas another hostage, William Buckley, political officer at the United States Embassy in Beirut, seized March 18, 1984, is presumed dead;

Whereas the remaining hostages from the United States are: Terry Anderson, chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, seized March 16, 1985; Thomas P. Sutherland, dean of agriculture, American University of Beirut, taken June 9, 1985; Frank Herbert Reed, headmaster of the Lebanese International School, seized September 9, 1986; Joseph James Cicippio, deputy comptroller of the American University of Beirut, seized September 12, 1986; Edward Austin Tracy, illustrator, seized October 21, 1986; Jessee Jonathan Turner, computer and mathematics professor, Beirut University College, seized January 24, 1987; Alann Bradford Steen, professor of journalism at Beirut University College, seized January 24, 1987; and Robert Bruce Polhill, business professor at Beirut University College, seized January 24, 1987; Whereas efforts by national and international organizations have failed to end the terrible plight of the hostages in Lebanon: Whereas the fate of other hostages seized in Lebanon of British, West German, Irish, and Italian nationalities is uncertain; and Whereas Terry Anderson had been held for the longest period of time of all foreign hostages in Lebanon: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That

(1) October 27, 1989, is designated as "National Hostage Awareness Day" in recognition of the 42d birthday of Terry Anderson, his 5th in captivity;

(2) efforts should be made to have October 27 declared International Hostage Day by the United Nations;

(3) all nations and international agencies should work to secure the prompt, safe, and unconditional release of the hostages by exerting influence, either directly on the hostage takers, or indirectly on other involved nations;

(4) adherents of all faiths in the United States should pray for the release of all United States and foreign hostages in Lebanon on such day; and

34. Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month

Public Law 101-128 [H.J. Res. 392], 103 Stat. 773, approved October 25, 1989

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating October 1989 as "Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month".

Whereas Italians and Italian-Americans have contributed to the United States in all aspects of life, including art, science, civil service, military service, athletics, and education;

Whereas Italian-Americans make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States;

Whereas, in recognition of the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, recognized as one of the greatest explorers in world history and the first to record the discovery of the Americas, a national observance day was established in October of every year; Whereas the phrase in the Declaration of Independence, "All men are created equal", was suggested by the Italian patriot and immigrant Philip Mazzei;

Whereas during October 1989 special attention will be directed at local and State programs that promote Italian heritage and culture, with special emphasis on national programs such as the Italian Heritage Center at Catholic University of America; and Whereas during October 1989 the National Italian American Foundation will host the 14th annual dinner to honor Italians and Italian-Americans making important contributions to the development of the arts, sciences, athletics, and education in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 1989 is designated as "Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month", and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

35. Geography Awareness Week

Public Law 101–139 [S.J. Res. 120], 103 Stat. 828, approved November 3, 1989 JOINT RESOLUTION To designate the period commencing November 12, 1989, and ending November 18, 1989, 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, historically, geography has aided Americans in understanding the wholeness of their vast nation and the great abundance of its natural resources;

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 statistics illustrate that a significant number of American students could not find the United States on a world map, could not identify Alaska and Texas as the Nation's largest States, and could not name the New England States;

Whereas, according to a recent Gallup poll, Americans ranked among the bottom third on an international test of geography knowledge, and those age eighteen to twenty-four came in last; Whereas geography has been offered to fewer than one in ten United States secondary school students as part of the curriculum;

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

Whereas traditional geography has virtually disappeared from the curricula of American schools while 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, and the environment; Whereas the United States is a nation of worldwide involvements and global influence, the responsibilities of which demand an understanding of the lands, languages, and cultures of the world; Whereas one-third of adult Americans cannot name four of the sixteen NATO 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 and interconnected world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That the period commencing November 12, 1989, and ending November 18, 1989, 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.