Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 3.djvu/494

 113 STAT. 2012 CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—NOV. 3, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL PRESENTATION Oct. 26, 1999 CEREMONY FOR PRESIDENT AND MRS. GERALD [H. Con. Res. 196] R. FORD—CAPITOL ROTUNDA AUTHORIZATION Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be used on October 27, 1999, for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford. Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol may prescribe. Agreed to October 26, 1999. Nov. 3, 1999 GENEVA CONVENTIONS—FIFTIETH [H.Con.Res. 102] ANNIVERSARY 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 military personnel, and prisoners of war during armed conflict; Whereas these Conventions recognize the International Committee 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 societies 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 international 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 Conventions of 1949; and

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