110 HCON 332 EH: Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the U.S. House of Representatives 0 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 332 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Whereas the United Nations Charter sought to establish an international forum to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war…, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small…”; Whereas, through manifold works of generosity, the people of the United States exemplify a noble conviction that the deepest yearnings of the human heart for respect and dignity transcend political, ethnic, and religious differences; Whereas the people of the United States continue to inspire their leaders to prioritize endeavors which bring hope and healing to those in need throughout the world; Whereas the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations…”; Whereas the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “…recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world…”; Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth a common understanding of universal rights and freedoms and the notion that these cannot be created and are neither conferred by countries nor by governments, but rather are inalienable rights and freedoms with which all human persons are endowed by their very nature; Whereas, Eleanor Roosevelt, who led the United States delegation to the first Commission on Human Rights, was responsible for drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in recognition of her unparalleled humanitarian conviction, was elected as Chairwoman of the Commission; Eleanor Roosevelt expressed her vision of a declaration of true universality with enduring principles that would be perpetually recognized by all nations when she stated, as she submitted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for consideration by the United Nations General Assembly, We stand today at the threshold of a great event both in the life of the United Nations and in the life of mankind. This declaration may well become the international Magna Carta for all men everywhere.; and Whereas United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted on Human Rights Day 2007, that “[i]t is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality – that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere”: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1)recognizes on its 60th anniversary year the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a singular achievement of the community of nations; (2)recognizes the contribution in the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution to the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the role of the United States in preserving the legacy of these foundational human rights precepts through its participation in the United Nations; (3)urges all United Nations Member States to renew their commitment to uphold and promote the transcendent principles of human dignity enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable persons and those who have no power to advocate on their own behalf; and (4)joins with colleagues inspired by the spirit of goodwill in parliaments throughout the world in seeking to guide the United Nations and its agencies to serve as effective instruments of genuine and lasting justice and peace among nations.

Passed the House of Representatives June 10, 2008. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.