106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 102
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the Geneva Conventions of 1949 set basic humane
standards of behavior during armed conflict, and are the
major written source of international humanitarian law;
Whereas these Conventions prescribe humane treatment for
civilian populations, wounded, sick and shipwrecked mili-
tary personnel, and prisoners of war during armed con-
flict;
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Whereas these Conventions recognize the International Com-
mittee of the Red Cross as an independent and neutral
organization whose humanitarian mission is to protect
and assist civilians, prisoners of war, and other victims
of armed conflict;
Whereas ‘‘the red cross in a field of white’’ is not an ordinary
organizational symbol, but one to which the international
community has granted the ability to impose restraint
during war and to protect human life;
Whereas the American Red Cross and its sister national soci-
eties are members of a world-wide organization rooted in
the provisions of international humanitarian law and
dedicated to the promulgation of its principles, among
which are the Geneva Conventions of 1949;
Whereas the international programs of the American Red
Cross bring relief from natural and manmade disasters
abroad, contribute to the development of nonprofit relief
organizations abroad, and include the teaching of inter-
national humanitarian law throughout the United States;
Whereas many domestic programs of the Red Cross in health
and safety, disaster, blood, youth, and service to the
members of the Armed Forces of the United States grew
out of a response to armed conflict;
Whereas, thanks to the efforts of Clara Barton and Frederick
Douglass, the United States ratified in 1882 the first
convention for the amelioration of the condition of
wounded and sick members of the armed forces in the
field;
Whereas in 1955 the United States ratified the Geneva Con-
ventions of 1949; and
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Whereas the Geneva Conventions of 1949 are among the
most universally ratified treaties in the world: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.
The Congress—
(1) recognizes the historic and humanitarian
significance of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and
celebrates the 50th anniversary of the signing of
these treaties;
(2) exhorts combatants everywhere to respect
the red cross emblem in order to protect innocent
and vulnerable populations on every side of conflicts;
(3) commends the International Committee of
the Red Cross and the more than 175 national Red
Cross and Red Crescent societies, including the
American Red Cross, on their continuing work in
providing relief and assistance to the victims of war
as prescribed by these Conventions;
(4) applauds the Promise of Humanity gath-
ering organized by the American Red Cross in 1999
in Washington, D.C., as an important reminder of
our responsibilities to educate future generations
about the principles of international humanitarian
law;
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(5) commends the efforts of the International
Committee of the Red Cross and the more than 175
national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, in-
cluding the American Red Cross, for their work in
educating the world’s citizens about the humani-
tarian principles of international humanitarian law
as embodied in the Geneva Conventions of 1949;
(6) invites the American Red Cross during this
anniversary year to assist Congress in educating its
Members and staff about the Geneva Conventions of
1949;
(7) supports the anniversary theme of the
International Committee of the Red Cross that
‘‘Even War Has Limits’’; and
(8) calls upon the President to issue a procla-
mation recognizing the anniversary of the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 and recognizing the Conven-
tions themselves as critically important instruments
for protecting human dignity in times of armed con-
flict and limiting the savagery of war.
SEC. 2. GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 1949 DEFINED.
In this concurrent resolution, the term ‘‘Geneva Con-
ventions of 1949’’ means the following conventions, done
at Geneva in 1949:
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(1) Convention for the Amelioration of the Con-
dition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in
the Field (6 UST 3114).
(2) Convention for the Amelioration of the Con-
dition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members
of the Armed Forces at Sea (6 UST 3217).
(3) Convention Relative to the Treatment of
Prisoners of War (6 UST 3316).
(4) Convention Relative to the Protection of Ci-
vilian Persons in Time of War (6 UST 3516).
Passed the House of Representatives October 26,
1999.
Attest:
Clerk.