III 

112TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 26 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of the year of 2011 

as the International Year for People of African Descent. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 27, 2011 

Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. WICKER) submitted the following concurrent 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of the 

year of 2011 as the International Year for People of 

African Descent. 

Whereas the year of 2011 is recognized as the ‘‘International 

Year for People of African Descent’’; 

Whereas the African Diaspora is expansive, spanning the 

globe from Latin America and the Caribbean to Asia, 

with persons of African descent living on every continent, 

including Europe; 

Whereas in recognition of the African Diaspora, on December 

18, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted 

Resolution 64/169, designating the year of 2011 as the 

‘‘International Year for People of African Descent’’; 


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•SCON 26 ATS 

Whereas the historical bonds and shared experiences that tie 

the African continent with the world must be recalled; 

Whereas the global contributions of people of African descent 

must be recognized as a means of preserving that heritage; 

Whereas a central goal of recognizing the year of 2011 as the 

International Year for People of African descent is to 

strengthen national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African 

descent in relation to— 

(1) the full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, 

civil, and political rights for people of African descent; 

(2) the participation and integration of people of African descent in all political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of society; and 

(3) the promotion of greater knowledge of, and respect for, the diverse heritage and culture of people of 

African descent; and 

Whereas the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, done at Helsinki August 1, 1975, 

states that ‘‘participating States will respect human 

rights and fundamental freedoms . . . for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion’’: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) supports the goals and ideals of the des4 ignation of the year of 2011 as the International 

5 Year for People of African Descent; 


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•SCON 26 ATS 

1 (2) encourages the recognition and celebration 

2 of the collective history and achievements made by 

3 people of African descent; 

4 (3) reaffirms the importance of inclusion and 

5 the full and equal participation of people of African 

6 descent around the world in all aspects of political, 

7 economic, social, and cultural life; 

8 (4) recognizes bilateral and multilateral efforts 

9 to promote democracy, human rights, and rule of 

10 law, including those efforts that target the eradi11 cation of poverty, hunger, and inequality; and 

12 (5) reaffirms the commitment of Congress to 

13 address racism, discrimination, and intolerance in 

14 the United States and around the globe. 

Æ 


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