[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 374 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 374

 Supporting the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in the 
  letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars, and in the Pope's response.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 19, 2008

    Mr. Wamp (for himself and Mr. Ellison) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in the 
  letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars, and in the Pope's response.

Whereas 138 Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam sent a letter to the Pope 
        and other Christian leaders expressing their belief that ``[t]he future 
        of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians'';
Whereas ``the survival of the world'' is at stake because about half the world's 
        population is composed of Christians and Muslims and there are too many 
        conflicts between the two;
Whereas the Vatican has announced that the Pope intends to address a Catholic-
        Muslim summit of religious leaders in November 2008, with the goal of 
        beginning regular, official dialogue between the two religions;
Whereas around the world and throughout history, religious faith has inspired 
        many people to great acts of kindness and generosity;
Whereas each faith contains adherents who have struggled to foster peace, 
        wellness, strong families, economic justice, environmental 
        sustainability, and human and civil rights;
Whereas many faiths include groups and individuals who have exploited religious 
        devotion to promote various causes through the use of violence, and this 
        extremism is a threat to peace in the world;
Whereas the recent letter from Muslim scholars to the Pope and others reminds us 
        that the Muslim voices advocating peace and dialogue are too often being 
        drowned out and suppressed by the radical extremists; and
Whereas the best opportunity to stem the tide of terrorism is for moderates in 
        all 3 ``Abrahamic'' religions to stand together against the threat of 
        radicalism: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States supports the spirit of peace and 
        desire for unity displayed both in the letter from 138 leading 
        Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam to the Pope and to 
        other Christian leaders, and in the Pope's gracious response to 
        the letter;
            (2) the United States further supports the summit of 
        Catholic and Muslim religious leaders and their mutual goal of 
        greater dialogue between the religions;
            (3) the United States should encourage those Muslims 
        throughout the world who stand for peace and reconciliation; 
        and
            (4) the United States appreciates those voices within all 
        faiths who have condemned genocide, terrorism, death, and 
        destruction and who call for global peace between the 
        ``Abrahamic religions''.
                                 <all>