[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SENATE RESOLUTION 265--RELATING TO CHURCH BURNINGS

  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:

                              S. Res. 265

       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 the 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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