[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 265 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 265

                      Relating to church burnings.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 18, 1996

Mr. Lott (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mrs. Hutchison, Ms. Moseley-Braun, 
 Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Levin, Mr. Helms, Mr. Kempthorne, Mr. Abraham, Mr. 
Biden, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coverdell, 
   Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Dodd, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Harkin, Mr. 
  Inhofe, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. 
McConnell, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
 Nickles, Mr. Pell, Mr. Simon, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Warner, 
   and Mr. Wellstone) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                      Relating to church burnings.

Whereas there have been at least 156 fires in houses of worship across the 
        nation since October 1991;
Whereas there have been at least 35 fires of suspicious origin at churches 
        serving African-American communities in the last 18 months;
Whereas these churches and houses of worship are a vital part of the life of 
        these communities;
Whereas intentionally burning churches or other houses of worship is a very 
        heinous crime;
Whereas intentionally burning churches, when done to intimidate any American 
        from the free exercise of his or her rights as an American, is 
        inconsistent with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, 
        which guarantees every American the right to free exercise of his or her 
        religion, and which ensures that Americans can freely and peaceably 
        assemble together; and,
Whereas intentionally burning churches, when done to intimidate any American 
        from the free exercise of his or her rights, is a serious national 
        problem that must be expeditiously and vigorously addressed: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the Senate condemns arson and other acts of desecration 
        against churches and other houses of worship as being totally 
        inconsistent with fundamental American values; and
            (2) the Senate believes investigation and prosecution of 
        those who are responsible for fires at churches or other houses 
        of worship, and especially any incidents of arson whose purpose 
        is to divide communities or to intimidate any Americans, should 
        be a high national priority.
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