III

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 290

Expressing the sense of the Senate that companies large and small in every

part of the world should support and adhere to the Global Sullivan

Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility wherever they have operations.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

APRIL 12, 2000

Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. FEINGOLD) submitted the following

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate that companies large

and small in every part of the world should support

and adhere to the Global Sullivan Principles of Corporate

Social Responsibility wherever they have operations.

Whereas Reverend Leon Sullivan, author of the Global Sullivan Principles, is known throughout the world for his

bold and principled efforts to dismantle the system of

apartheid in South Africa, for his work with Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC’s) to create jobs for

over 1,000,000 youth in 130 United States cities and 18

countries, and for his work in literacy training all over

the world;
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Whereas Reverend Sullivan initiated the original Sullivan

Principles in 1977 as a code of conduct for companies

operating in South Africa;

Whereas the Global Sullivan Principles promote equal opportunity for employees of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, and religions;

Whereas the Global Sullivan Principles stress the social responsibilities of corporations;

Whereas on June 7, 1999, President Clinton gave approval

to the Principles; and

Whereas on November 2, 1999, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, urged corporate leaders to

put the Global Sullivan Principles into practice: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved,

2 SECTION 1. CALLING FOR SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

3 WITH THE GLOBAL SULLIVAN PRINCIPLES OF

4 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

5 The Senate calls on companies large and small in

6 every part of the world to support and adhere to the Glob7 al Sullivan Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility

8 wherever they have operations.

9 SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF GLOBAL SULLIVAN PRINCIPLES OF

10 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

11 In this resolution, the term ‘‘Global Sullivan Prin12 ciples of Corporate Social Responsibility’’ means the prin13 ciples stated as follows:
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1 ‘‘As a company which endorses the Global Sullivan

2 Principles we will respect the law, and as a responsible

3 member of society we will apply these Principles with in4 tegrity consistent with the legitimate role of business. We

5 will develop and implement company policies, procedures,

6 training, and internal reporting structures to ensure com7 mitment to these principles throughout our organization.

8 We believe the application of these principles will achieve

9 greater tolerance and better understanding among peo10 ples, and advance the culture of peace.

11 ‘‘Accordingly, we will:

12 ‘‘Express our support for universal human

13 rights and, particularly, those of our employees, the

14 communities within which we operate, and parties

15 with whom we do business.

16 ‘‘Promote equal opportunity for our employees

17 at all levels of the company with respect to issues

18 such as color, race, gender, age, ethnicity or reli19 gious beliefs, and operate without unacceptable

20 worker treatment such as the exploitation of chil21 dren, physical punishment, female abuse, involuntary

22 servitude, or other forms of abuse.

23 ‘‘Respect our employees’ voluntary freedom of

24 association.
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1 ‘‘Compensate our employees to enable them to

2 meet at least their basic needs and provide the op3 portunity to improve their skill and capability in

4 order to raise their social and economic opportuni5 ties.

6 ‘‘Provide a safe and healthy workplace; protect

7 human health and the environment and promote

8 sustainable development.

9 ‘‘Promote fair competition including respect for

10 intellectual and other property rights, and not offer,

11 pay or accept bribes.

12 ‘‘Work with governments and communities in

13 which we do business to improve the quality of life

14 in those communities, their educational, cultural,

15 economic and social well-being and seek to provide

16 training and opportunities for workers from dis17 advantaged backgrounds.

18 ‘‘Promote the application of these principles by

19 those with whom we do business.

20 ‘‘We will be transparent in our implementation

21 of these principles and provide information which

22 demonstrates publicly our commitment to them.’’.

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