A concurrent resolution recognizing March 25, 1997, as the anniversary of the Proclamation of Belarusan independence, and calling on the Government of Belarus to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 20, 1997

Calls upon the President to urge President Lukashenka and the Government of Belarus to: (1) abide by the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and other agreements of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation of Europe; and (2) guarantee human rights, fundamental freedom (including freedom of the press, assembly, and expression), and separation of powers. Supports the people of Belarus in: (1) maintaining independent statehood; (2) promoting the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms; and (3) assuring that Belarus has the opportunity to survive as an equal and full-fledged member-state among the sovereign nations of the world.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] · D–NJ

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 20, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mar 20, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2718)
Mar 20, 1997
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 20, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Con.Res.18 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.18, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution recognizing March 25, 1997, as the anniversary of the Proclamation of Belarusan independence, and calling on the Government of Belarus to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/18

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres18/BILLS-105sconres18is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Con.Res.18 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Con.Res.18 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.18, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution recognizing March 25, 1997, as the anniversary of the Proclamation of Belarusan independence, and calling on the Government of Belarus to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/18

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres18/BILLS-105sconres18is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Con.Res.18 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Con.Res.18 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.18, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution recognizing March 25, 1997, as the anniversary of the Proclamation of Belarusan independence, and calling on the Government of Belarus to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/18

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres18/BILLS-105sconres18is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Con.Res.18 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Con.Res.18 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Con.Res.18, 105th Congress: A concurrent resolution recognizing March 25, 1997, as the anniversary of the Proclamation of Belarusan independence, and calling on the Government of Belarus to respect fundamental freedoms and human rights.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-concurrent-resolution/18

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-03-20.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/sconres18/BILLS-105sconres18is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:44Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Con.Res.18 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.