[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 535 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 535

 Commending the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions 
for calling upon all nations to live in peace and mutual understanding.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 11, 2009

 Mr. Faleomavaega (for himself, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Rahall, 
 Mr. McKeon, Mr. Crowley, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Bordallo, Mrs. Christensen, 
 Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Ms. 
 Berkley, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Issa, Mr. Flake, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. 
 Cao, Mrs. Bono Mack, Ms. Watson, Mr. Payne, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Sablan, 
Mr. Sires, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Abercrombie) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions 
for calling upon all nations to live in peace and mutual understanding.

Whereas religious leaders can be a decisive factor in maintaining peace and 
        security in the world;
Whereas a Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was established 
        in 2003;
Whereas the Congress is based on the premise that religion can be an important 
        arbiter for resolving political differences and conflicts;
Whereas the purpose of the Congress is to advance tolerance, development, and 
        security;
Whereas the Congress provides a forum for improving understanding and mutual 
        cooperation among religious communities from around the world;
Whereas the Congress considers interfaith dialogue one of the most important 
        instruments for the maintenance of peace and harmony among peoples and 
        nations;
Whereas the Congress regularly holds forums that address, among other issues, 
        religious freedom, inter-religious dialogue, and the role of religious 
        leaders in strengthening global security;
Whereas the world's major religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, 
        Islam, Judaism, Shinto, and Taoism are represented in the Congress;
Whereas religious leaders representing more than 26 nations, including Israel, 
        Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Armenia, South Korea, China, 
        India, Thailand, the United States, Switzerland, France, Japan, and the 
        Holy See, participate in the Congress;
Whereas a Secretariat of the Congress was established by the leaders and 
        representatives of the world and traditional religions in 2003 as a 
        permanent body of the interfaith dialogue;
Whereas the Secretariat of the Congress adopted resolutions to convene the 
        second and third Congress in 2006 and 2009; and
Whereas the third Congress will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 1-2, 2009: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the Congress of Leaders of World and 
        Traditional Religions for calling upon all nations to live in 
        peace and mutual understanding;
            (2) supports freedom of religion and conscience throughout 
        the world as a fundamental human right and as a source of 
        stability for all countries; and
            (3) recognizes Kazakhstan for initiating the Congress of 
        Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and for having been 
        selected by the Secretariat to host the second and third 
        Congress.
                                 <all>