[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 158 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9922-H9923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR MARKING THE CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY OF 
                               JERUSALEM

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the 
Senate Concurrent Resolution (S. Con. Res. 29) providing for marking 
the celebration of Jerusalem on the occasion of its 3,000th 
anniversary, and ask for its consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will 
not object, I will yield to the gentleman from California [Mr. Thomas] 
for a statement, and then I have a few comments.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, the Speaker of the House and the leadership join me in 
urging all Members to support what is an occasion that I think will 
allow us to focus on our humanness in a way that we are rarely able to 
do it.
  In the resolution talking about the celebration of Jerusalem in the 
Rotunda of its 3,000th anniversary, it says: ``Whereas Jerusalem, the 
City of Peace, has held a unique place and exerted a unique influence 
on the moral development of Western Civilization;'' I think Jerusalem 
plays an even more significant role than that, if that is possible. 

[[Page H 9923]]

  I think it is because Jerusalem is one of the places in the world 
that is truly a crossroads for a majority of people in the world, 
because when we look at the development and history of religions, those 
things that have occurred in and around the city of Jerusalem have not 
only sent fundamental, positive repercussions East and West, but they 
have somehow been tied to defining developmental periods throughout the 
history of the world.
  Although we have not yet located the center of the universe, I think 
in terms of man's experience on this planet, the city of Jerusalem, 
along with very few other places in this world, Jerusalem deserves 
being placed in that category. I think it is entirely appropriate that 
the Rotunda of the United States Capitol be used as the place for the 
recognition of the 3,000 years of inhabitance of the city of Jerusalem.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I join the gentleman 
in support of the resolution saying this is a year that it is 
particularly appropriate to be having this celebration. We could not 
have chosen the 3,000th year, obviously, but as we look at the peace 
process moving forward, something that I think many of us thought would 
not happen in our lifetime, this City of Peace may indeed soon be an 
example for dialogue for the entire globe.
  All of us who have worked so hard on issues of peace in the Middle 
East, while we understand there are tremendous challenges ahead, this 
is a very exciting time, with hopefully the beginnings of a real peace 
for that region of the world, something that will not only hopefully 
bring benefit to the people there, but people around the globe, and 
open up the holy places to the multiple of religions that see Jerusalem 
as their center, to give pilgrims from all religions a greater 
opportunity to visit the holy sites and to spend time in the Middle 
East.
  For those of us who have been to Jerusalem, it is truly a special 
city. I am privileged to be here with the gentleman from California, 
urging support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 29

       Whereas the Senate wishes to make the 3,000th anniversary 
     of King David's establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of 
     Israel;
       Whereas Jerusalem, the City of David, has been the focal 
     point of Jewish life;
       Whereas Jerusalem, the City of Peace, has held a unique 
     place and exerted a unique influence on the moral development 
     of Western Civilization; and
       Whereas no other city on Earth is today the capital of the 
     same country, inhabited by the same people, speaking the same 
     language, and worshipping the same God as it was 3,000 years 
     ago: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Architect is directed to make the 
     necessary arrangements for a date in October to be mutually 
     agreed upon by the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
     and the Majority Leader of the Senate, after consultation 
     with the Minority Leaders of the two houses, for the use of 
     the Rotunda for a celebration of the founding of the city of 
     Jerusalem.

  The Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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