I think the resolution speaks for itself. This is a followup to the Year of the Handicapped and Disabled, and we are just doing what the United Nations has done. We are accepting their action as to make more people around the world aware of the problems of the disabled. And so now we are asking that the United States and this committee take a lead in declaring this the decade of the disabled persons. Since I have referred to the United Nations, I would like to refer to some quotes in the message from U.N. Secretary General PerezCuellar, and I would like the full text of his message to go into the record, if I can, Mr. Chairman. But in his message he points out that as many as 500 million disabled persons around the world do contribute to and benefit from the economic and social progress in their countries. And he points out that, "However, this cannot be achieved unless society changes its attitude toward people with disabilities." And he says, "Indeed, we should focus on their abilities and the contribution that they can make." He also points out that: We bear-we, the people in society in general-bear the responsibility to encourage and assist disabled persons to lead useful and meaningful lives. This is not to be done as an act of charity but because it is their right, because society as a whole can progress only if each of its members is given full recognition and respect for his or her own inherent dignity and worth. And in his closing statement he says: I appeal to all governments, concerned organizations and individuals alike to contribute to the implementation of the world plan of action, which is the decade of the disabled persons, and beyond, and therefore demonstrate our commitment to the full participation and equality of persons with disabilities. I thank the Chairman for his time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Chairman ZABLOCKI. The chief of staff will read House Concurrent Resolution 39. Mr. BRADY [reading]: House Concurrent Resolution 39, concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to implementing the objectives— Mr. YATRON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be considered as read and open for amendment at any time. Chairman ZABLOCKI. Is there objection? [No response.] Chairman ZABLOCKI. The Chair hears none. So ordered. Does the gentleman from Pennsylvania have an amendment? Chairman ZABLOCKI. The chief of staff will read the amendment. Amendment offered by Mr. Yatron, page 3, line 1, strike out "for" and insert in lieu thereof "of"; page 3, line 3, insert the following new section 2 and redesignate existing section 2 as section 3. Section 2: "The President should report to the Congress annually during the U.N. Decade of Disabled Persons on plans developed by the executive branch in accordance with the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 3753 to implement within the United States the objectives of the U.Ñ. Decade of Disabled Persons and on steps taken pursuant to those plans." Chairman ZABLOCKI. The gentleman from Pennsylvania is recognized to explain his amendment. Mr. YATRON. Mr. Chairman, I feel that the amendment is selfexplanatory, and I urge its adoption. Chairman ZABLOCKI. The question occurs on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Yatron. to. All those in favor signify by saying "aye." [Chorus of "ayes."] Chairman ZABLOCKI. Opposed, "no." [No response.] Chairman ZABLOCKI. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed The question now occurs on the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 39, as amended. All those in favor signify by saying "aye." [Chorus of "ayes."] Chairman ZABLOCKI. Opposed, "no." [No response.] Chairman ZABLOCKI. The ayes have it, and House Concurrent Resolution 39 is agreed to, as amended, and will be reported.1 [Whereupon the committee proceeded in consideration to other business.] 'H. Con. Res. 39 passed the Senate by voice vote on July 27, 1983. Prior to this action, the Senate had passed S. Con. Res. 22 on June 23, 1983, but subsequently agreed to accept the House-passed measure. APPENDIX 1 [From the Washington Post, Mar. 16, 1983] TEXT OF EDITORIAL ENTITLED "SPECIAL PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS” The Peace Corps celebrated its 22nd anniversary last week, and maturity has not diminished the vitality and enthusiasm that has characterized this volunteer agency throughout its history. In New Frontier days, recent college graduates usually generalists, flocked to the corps eager to bring American skills, culture and friendship to the Third World. The volunteers are still coming, and over 5,000 of them are serving in 62 countries today. Emphasis is placed on providing host countries with volunteers trained in agriculture, renewable energy resources and small business skills as well as traditional education programs. And efforts have been made to place older volunteers. More than 300 over the age of 50 are now serving, including many married couples. All who volunteer, survive the selective screening process and rigorous training and serve under hardship conditions are special. But some are standouts. A Detroit couple-he is 87 and she is 84—have just signed up for their second two-year hitch. A blind volunteer, recently returned from Ecuador and now working in Peace Corps headquarters here in Washington, not only completed his tour with distinction; he also organized and ran a Special Olympics for the mentally retarded, the first such event held in Latin America. Eight deaf volunteers-trained here at Gallaudet College-set up a program for teaching deaf children in the Philippines. One volunteer, a graduate of Gallaudet who is both deaf and a victim of cerebral palsy, spent her tour on the island of St. Vincent teaching two dozen deaf 6- to 8-year-olds. Before she arrived, these children had no knowledge of sign language and no hope for education. Now they can communicate, read and write and use basic math skills. Twenty-four children have been given hope, and their country has been given a model for teaching the handicapped. More than 100,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps. In large numbers they have entered government, particularly the Foreign Service and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Two returned volunteers now serve in the Senate, three in the House. Another, Mrs. Lillian Carter of Plains, Ga., had special influence with a president of the United States. All deserve praise but none more than those special volunteers who overcame their own physical handicaps to help others far from home. That spirit is America's finest export. APPENDIX 2 TEXT OF U.N. RESOLUTION 37/52 ON THE "WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS," ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, DECEMBER 3, 1982, SUBMITTED BY HON. JOHN MCDONALD Date: December 3, 1982. Adopted without a recorded vote. Meeting: 90. Report: A/ 37/632. The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 31/123 of December 16, 1976 by which it proclaimed the year 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons, 32/133 of December 16, 1977 by which it established the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons, 33/170 of December 20, 1978, 34/154 of December 17, 1979 in which it, inter alia, decided to expand the theme of the International Year of Disabled Persons to "Full participation and equality", 35/133 of December 11, 1980 and 36/77 of December 8, 1981; Deeply concerned that no less than five hundred million persons are estimated to suffer from disability of one form or another, of whom four hundred million are estimated to be in developing countries; Reiterating the continuing need to promote the realization of the right of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and development of their societies and to enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, as well as to share equally in the improvements in living conditions resulting from social and economic development; Recognizing that the International Year of Disabled Persons contributed to the acceptance by the community of the right of disabled persons to participate fully in the social life and development of their societies and to enjoy living conditions equal to those of their fellow citizens; Convinced that the International Year of Disabled Persons gave a genuine and meaningful impetus to activities related to equalization of opportunities for disabled persons, as well as prevention and rehabilitation at all levels; Expressing its satisfaction with the efforts of Member States during the International Year of Disabled Persons to improve the conditions and well-being of disabled persons and their willingness to involve disabled persons and their organization in all matters of concern to them; Also expressing its satisfaction with the initiatives taken by the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and, in particular, organizations of disabled persons; Taking note of the emergence of organizations of disabled persons in all parts of the world and their positive influence on the image and condition of persons with a disability; Having considered the Vienna Affirmative Action Plan adopted by the World Symposium of Experts on Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries and Technical Assistance in Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation; 47 Expressing its appreciation to the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons for the work it has done; Having considered the report of the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons on its fourth session 48 and its proposal for a World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons; Desirous of ensuring an effective follow-up to the International Year of Disabled Persons and aware that if this is to be achieved Member States, organs, organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and organizations of disabled persons must therefore be encouraged to continue the activities already undertaken and to initiate new programmes and activities; Stressing that the primary responsibility for promoting effective measures for prevention of disability, rehabilitation and the realization of the goals of "full partici |