Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 100 Part 5.djvu/898

 100 STAT. 4372

CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—JULY 15, 1986

Whereas no other athlete better symbolizes the human struggle against tyranny, racism, and bigotry than Jesse Owens: Now, ^ therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress— (1) commends the government and people of Berlin for keeping alive the spirit of equality, freedom, and human dignity through their solemn commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Jesse Owens' historic victories at the 1936 Berlin Olympic games; (2) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the government and people of Berlin as they celebrate the legacy of Jesse Owens at the international athletics competition and memorial weekend in Berlin on August 14-15, 1986; and (3) recalls and honors the significant work of Jesse Owens on behalf of the people and Government of the United States, and his victories in 1936 as a symbol of perseverance and the triumph of equality and justice over bigotry and racism. ., Agreed to July 15, 1986.

July 15.1986

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BERLIN—U.S. COMMITMENT TO ITS P E O P L E A N D

CONDEMNATION OF THE BERLIN WALL Whereas, on August 13, 1961, authorities in Eeist Berlin erected the Berlin Wall, cruelly dividing the city and its people with barbed wire and concrete, following the exodus of more than two million Germans fleeing political oppression; Whereas the Berlin Wall has failed to prevent the Western sectors of Berlin from regaining the position of a vibrant world city, firmly tied to the West; Whereas the United States applauds and commends the courage and success of the Berliners in overcoming past adversity and geographic isolation; Whereas people continue to risk and even to lose their lives scaling the Wall to freedom; Whereas the United States remains committed to the principle of freedom for all men and women everywhere; Whereas the United States remains committed to the strict observance and full implementation of the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin; Whereas the United States remains committed to the principles of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights and the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and Whereas the United States remains committed to overcoming the artificial barriers dividing Berliners, Germans, and Europeans, and promoting the observance of human rights and selfdetermination: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress— (1) expressely commends the courage and steadfastness of the Berliners in making the western part of the city a showcase of Western values and an internationaly renowned metropolis;

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