S. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.
This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that nothing in it may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.
This resolution designates October 8, 2023, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" in the U.S. Senate. It is a symbolic recognition, not a law with policy changes or direct effects on any individuals or entities. The resolution cites hydrogen's abundance, historical role in space exploration, and potential for clean energy applications like transportation and grid support. It does not create new regulations, funding, or obligations. As a ceremonial resolution, it serves solely to highlight the importance of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
S. Res. 406 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Richard Clarence Clark, a former U.S. Senator from Iowa (served 1973-1979), who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that the House of Representatives and Clark’s family be informed, and directs the Senate to adjourn for the day as a mark of respect. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy or legal effect, reflecting the Senate’s collective tribute to a former member.
This is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Dianne Feinstein of California. It expresses the Senate's respect for her legacy through a formal statement and calls for the chamber to adjourn as a mark of tribute following her passing. The resolution details her historic milestones, including being the first woman to represent California in the Senate, chair multiple key committees, and advocate on issues like gun safety and conservation. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.
SRES 398 is a Senate resolution designating September 25-29, 2023, as "National Clean Energy Week." It symbolically recognizes the growth of clean energy jobs (citing a 2022 report showing ~8.1 million U.S. energy sector workers) and encourages public and private support for affordable, low-emission energy solutions. The resolution has no legal force and does not create new policies or directly affect specific groups - it serves as a formal acknowledgment of clean energy’s economic and environmental role.
SRES 404 is a ceremonial resolution designating October 4, 2023, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of existing energy efficiency policies and private sector innovation. It does not create new laws, funding, or requirements - it simply urges the public to observe the day with activities celebrating achievements like $800 billion in annual energy cost savings and a 50% reduction in energy use in federal facilities since the 1970s. The resolution references bipartisan energy efficiency policies enacted since the 1970s (e.g., the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Energy Act of 2020) but does not alter them. As a non-binding observance, it directly affects no individuals or entities and serves only to acknowledge past progress.
SRES 394 is a Senate resolution introduced on October 3, 2023, honoring the late James L. Buckley, a former U.S. Senator from New York (1971-1977) who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his passing and directs the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and Buckley's family, while calling for an immediate adjournment in his memory. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely serves to commemorate Buckley's life and legacy.
This resolution designates September 25-29, 2023, as "National Hazing Awareness Week" to highlight hazing prevention efforts. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the issue and encourages public awareness. The Senate emphasizes that hazing prevention requires ongoing commitment beyond a single week, urging communities to promote safety and well-being. It directly affects the general public, educational institutions, and campus communities by raising visibility for a longstanding concern.
SRES 374 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating September 2023 as "National Student Parent Month." It recognizes approximately 4 million student parents enrolled in postsecondary education - over 70% women, including many single mothers and students of color - who face significant challenges like food/housing insecurity, balancing work and childcare, and lower degree completion rates. The resolution expresses the Senate’s support for their contributions but has no legal effect or new policy provisions. It highlights their unique circumstances without proposing concrete solutions. This is a commemorative gesture, not a legislative measure with binding requirements.
SRES 369 is a Senate resolution designating September 2023 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" to promote public education about sickle cell disease (SCD) across the United States. It encourages communities to hold events during September focused on raising awareness about SCD, which affects approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. (with higher prevalence in Black and African American communities), and emphasizes the need for research, early detection, effective treatments, and preventative care. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic call to action for public health engagement.
SRES 353 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week of September 16-23, 2023, as "National Estuaries Week." It expresses the Senate’s support for raising public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries. The resolution highlights estuaries’ role in supporting jobs, economic output, and critical habitats, while acknowledging threats like pollution and habitat loss. This procedural resolution has no direct regulatory or funding impact - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of estuaries’ value.
