S10836 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 9, 2008 

Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of 

Randy Pausch have brought, and will continue to bring, renewed advocacy and commitment to the field of pancreatic cancer research and treatment; 

Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of 

Randy Pausch have touched countless people 

throughout the United States and the world 

and encouraged them to change their lives 

for the better; 

Whereas 75 percent of pancreatic cancer 

patients die within the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive more than 

5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest of any cancer; 

Whereas there has been no significant improvement in survival rates in the last 30 

years and pancreatic cancer research is still 

in the earliest scientific stages; 

Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal treatment options for pancreatic cancer; 

Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic 

cancer present themselves, it is generally 

too late for an optimistic prognosis, and the 

average survival rate of those diagnosed with 

metastasis of the disease is only 3 to 6 

months; 

Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic 

cancer is 40 to 50 percent higher in AfricanAmericans than in other ethnic groups; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe 

November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness 

Month to educate communities across the 

Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need 

for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and treatment programs: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate supports the 

goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 

f 

NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN AND 

ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE 

MONTH 

Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent 

that the Indian Affairs Committee be 

discharged from further consideration 

of S. Res. 719 and the Senate proceed to 

its consideration. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The clerk will report the resolution 

by title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 719) recognizing National American Indian and Alaska Native 

Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage 

and culture of American Indians and Alaska 

Natives and the contributions of American 

Indians and Alaska Natives to the United 

States. 

There being no objection, the Senate 

proceeded to consider the resolution. 

Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent 

that the resolution be agreed to, the 

preamble be agreed to, the motions to 

reconsider be laid upon the table, there 

be no intervening action or debate, and 

any statements related to the resolution be printed in the RECORD. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 719) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 

S. RES. 719 

Whereas from November 1, 2008, through 

November 30, 2008, the United States celebrates National American Indian and Alaska 

Native Heritage Month; 

Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are descendants of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the United 

States; 

Whereas, in 2000, the United States Census 

Bureau reported that there were more than 

4,000,000 people in the United States of American Indian and Alaska Native descent; 

Whereas, on December 2, 1989, the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate held a 

hearing exploring the contributions of the Iroquois Confederacy, and its influence on the 

Founding Fathers in the drafting of the Constitution of the United States with the concepts of freedom of speech, the separation of 

governmental powers, and checks and balances among the branches of government; 

Whereas the Senate has reaffirmed that a 

major national goal of the United States is 

to provide the resources, processes, and 

structure that will enable Indian Tribes and 

tribal members to obtain the quantity and 

quality of health care services and opportunities that will eliminate the health disparities between American Indians and the general population of the United States; 

Whereas Congress recently reaffirmed its 

trust responsibility to improve the housing 

conditions and socioeconomic status of 

American Indians and Alaska Natives by 

providing affordable homes in a safe and 

healthy environment; 

Whereas, throughout its course of dealing 

with Indian Tribes, the United States Government has engaged in a government-togovernment relationship with Tribes; 

Whereas the United States Government 

owes a trust obligation to Tribes, acknowledged in treaties, statutes, and decisions of 

the Supreme Court, to protect the interests 

and welfare of tribal governments and their 

members; 

Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have consistently served with honor 

and distinction in the Armed Forces of the 

United States, some as early as the Revolutionary War, and continue to serve in the 

Armed Forces in greater numbers per capita 

than any other group in the United States; 

Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and preserve indigenous languages and have contributed hundreds of 

words to the English language, including the 

names of people and locations in the United 

States; 

Whereas Congress has recognized Native 

American code talkers who served with 

honor and distinction in World War I and 

World War II, using indigenous languages as 

an unbreakable military code, saving countless American lives; 

Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are deeply rooted in tradition and culture, which drives their strength of community; and 

Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages celebrate the great achievements of their ancestors and heroes and continue to share their stories with future generations: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) recognizes the celebration of National 

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage 

Month during the month of November 2008; 

(2) honors the heritage and culture of 

American Indians and Alaska Natives and 

the contributions of American Indians and 

Alaska Natives to the United States; and 

(3) urges the people of the United States to 

observe National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month with appropriate 

programs and activities. 

REGARDING HORRIFIC TERRORIST 

ATTACKS AND SIEGE IN 

MUMBAI, INDIA 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed 

to S. Res. 724 submitted earlier today. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will report the resolution by 

title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 724) expressing the 

sense of the Senate on the horrific terrorist 

attacks and siege in Mumbai, India, beginning on November 26, 2008, and concluding on 

November 29, 2008. 

There being no objection, the Senate 

proceeded to consider the resolution. 

Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent 

that the resolution be agreed to, the 

preamble be agreed to, the motions to 

reconsider be laid on the table, that 

there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to 

this matter be printed in the RECORD. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 724) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 

S. RES. 724 

Whereas, on the evening of November 26, 

2008, evidence strongly suggests that 10 terrorists came ashore into the city of Mumbai, 

India, from a hijacked fishing trawler in the 

Arabian Sea, and conducted coordinated attacks on major hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and transportation hubs, and a religious center; 

Whereas the attackers entered into a 

standoff with security forces of the Government of India over the next 60 hours at a 

number of sites, deliberately holding many 

hostages while trapping other innocent victims with no means of escape; 

Whereas authorities of the Government of 

India brought the horrific three-day siege of 

Mumbai to a close on the morning of November 29, 2008; 

Whereas the final death toll from the siege 

exceeded 170 victims, with hundreds more injured; 

Whereas those murdered include citizens of 

India as well as 22 foreigners from 11 different countries, including the following six 

United States citizens: Aryeh Leibish 

Teitelbaum, Rabbi Gavriel Noah Holtzberg, 

Ben Zion Chroman, Sandeep Jeswani, Alan 

Michael Scherr, and Naomi Leia Scherr. 

Whereas the terrorists who attacked 

Mumbai attacked a symbol of religious pluralism and outreach, a Jewish outreach center at the Nariman House, murdering six 

residents of the Nariman House, including 

Rabbi Holtzberg and his five-month pregnant 

wife, Rivka, orphaning their two-year old 

son, Moshe, who was heroically rescued by 

his Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel; 

Whereas nine of the attackers were found 

dead at various sites where they were engaged in a standoff with authorities of the 

Government of India, with only one surviving attacker taken into custody; 

Whereas evidence collected to date suggests the involvement of an Islamic militant 

group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, that has ties to al 

Qaeda and operates out of Pakistan; 

Whereas India has endured a series of devastating terrorist attacks in recent years, 

suffering 3,674 deaths from terrorist attacks 

in a recent three-year period; and 

Whereas India, the world’s largest democracy, is a strategic partner of the United 


wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with SENATE
December 9, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10837 

States, and this bilateral relationship is 

built on common values and unity against 

extremism: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) affirms that the people of the United 

States stand in unison with the people of 

India in the aftermath of these horrific terrorist attacks; 

(2) condemns strongly the atrocities perpetrated against the people of Mumbai, conveys its deepest condolences to the families 

and loved ones of those killed, and expresses 

its wishes for the speedy recovery of the hundreds of people injured in these senseless attacks; 

(3) notes that these attacks did not only 

target citizens of India, but represented a 

collective assault against the international 

community, with 22 foreigners, including six 

Americans, among those murdered; 

(4) noting that President Bush has offered 

United States Government assistance, encourages the Government of India to conduct 

a comprehensive investigation into the attacks and applauds the tone of moderation 

and restraint exhibited by the Government 

of India to date in reaction to these horrific 

attacks; 

(5) urges the Government of Pakistan to 

investigate aggressively the possible connection of groups based in Pakistan, including 

the Lashkar-e-Taiba, to the Mumbai attacks 

and take definitive action to apprehend and 

detain suspects, and is thus encouraged by 

the raid on an apparent militant camp on 

December 7, 2008, and the arrest of key suspects; 

(6) calls upon the Government of Pakistan 

to take all necessary steps to root out all extremist groups operating on its territory, 

halt attacks aimed at Pakistan and any 

other countries, and ensure that no elements 

of the Government support such groups; 

(7) strongly encourages President-elect 

Obama to consider ways in which the United 

States Government can bolster counter-terrorism cooperation with the Government of 

India to ensure that authorities in that 

country possess all the requisite equipment 

and training needed to prevent and respond 

to future terrorist attacks; and 

(8) urges bolstered United States efforts to 

develop and implement policies and projects 

to combat all forms of religious extremism, 

including anti-Semitism, in order to deter 

the type of targeted attacks like that waged 

against the Chabad Lubavitch center in 

Mumbai. 

f 

ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS OF 

THE YOUTH IMPACT PROGRAM 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 

proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 

725. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will report the resolution by 

title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 725) acknowledging 

the accomplishments and goals of the Youth 

Impact Program. 

There being no objection, the Senate 

proceeded to consider the resolution. 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 

agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, 

and the motions to reconsider be laid 

upon the table. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 725) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 

S. RES. 725 

Whereas many at-risk young men in the 

inner cities of the United States face a challenging and uncertain future; 

Whereas the future success of at-risk 

young men can be greatly enhanced through 

sustained mentorship; 

Whereas effective working partnerships between and within the public and private sectors can have a lasting and positive impact 

on the future of at-risk young men; 

Whereas participation in organized sports 

has provided a creative and disciplined outlet and a path to a better life for many atrisk young men; 

Whereas the Youth Impact Program combines the disciplines of football, mentoring, 

and academics in partnerships between local 

National Football League franchises and universities to promote discipline, learning, and 

positive values; 

Whereas the Youth Impact Program is a 

community-based program that has proven 

its value over the past 2 years in raising the 

outlook and aspirations of at-risk young 

men and has provided at-risk young men 

greater exposure to academics, core values, 

and life skills; 

Whereas the Youth Impact Program provides year-round mentoring to its participants, a proven formula for building success; 

Whereas the National Football League, the 

National Football League Players Association, the University of Southern California, 

and Tulane University have provided critical 

support to the Youth Impact Program; 

Whereas the Youth Impact Program will be 

expanded to 3 additional cities in partnership 

with local National Football League franchises and universities; 

Whereas the Youth Impact Program seeks 

to establish a presence in each city with a 

local National Football League franchise; 

and 

Whereas under the vision and leadership of 

Mr. Riki Ellison, the founder of the Youth 

Impact Program, a 10-year veteran of the National Football League, a 3-time Super Bowl 

champion, and a University of Southern 

California alumnus, the Youth Impact Program has expanded from a regional program 

to a program with a growing national presence: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) recognizes the ongoing and significant 

contributions of those organizations that 

support the Youth Impact Program; and 

(2) encourages the expansion of the Youth 

Impact Program to inner cities across the 

United States. 

f 

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 

proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 

726. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will report the resolution by 

title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 726) designating December 13, 2008, as ‘‘Wreaths Across America 

Day.’’ 

There being no objection, the Senate 

proceeded to consider the resolution. 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 

agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, 

and the motions to reconsider be laid 

upon the table. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 726) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 

S. RES. 726 

Whereas, more than 15 years ago, the 

Wreaths Across America project began the 

tradition of donating, transporting, and placing Maine balsam fir holiday wreaths on the 

graves of the fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery each December; 

Whereas, since that tradition began, 

through the hard work and generosity of the 

people involved in the Wreaths Across America project, hundreds of thousands of wreaths 

have been sent to more than 200 national 

cemeteries and veterans’ memorials in all 50 

states; 

Whereas, in December 2008, the Patriot 

Guard Riders, a motorcycle and motor vehicle group dedicated to patriotic events, with 

more than 65,000 members nationally, will 

continue their tradition of escorting a tractor-trailer full of donated wreaths from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery; 

Whereas hundreds of volunteers participate 

in the escort each December; and 

Whereas Wreaths Across America will continue this proud legacy on December 13, 2008: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate— 

(1) designates December 13, 2008, as 

‘‘Wreaths Across America Day’’; 

(2) honors the Wreaths Across America 

project, the Patriot Guard Riders, and all 

other volunteers and donators involved in 

this worthy tradition; and 

(3) recognizes the sacrifices our veterans 

and service members and their families have 

made, and continue to make, for our great 

Nation. 

f 

HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE 

BOMBING OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now 

proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 

727. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 

clerk will report the resolution by 

title. 

The legislative clerk read as follows: 

A resolution (S. Res. 727) honoring the victims of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on 

the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy. 

There being no objection, the Senate 

proceeded to consider the resolution. 

Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be 

agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, 

and the motions to reconsider be laid 

upon the table, that there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to the resolution be 

printed in the RECORD. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

The resolution (S. Res. 727) was 

agreed to. 

The preamble was agreed to. 

The resolution, with its preamble, 

reads as follows: 

S. RES. 727 

Whereas, on December 21, 1988, 259 passengers and crew members on board Pan 

American Airways flight 103, and 11 people 


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