[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 91 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1401]]
                     A BALANCED RESOLUTION ON IRAQ

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                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, as someone who voted against 
the original legislation authorizing the U.S. military action in Iraq, 
I remain convinced that our military involvement there is a mistake, 
regardless of which of the Administration's evolving rationales for 
sending U.S. troops there is put forward.
  I was therefore pleased to receive the resolution on Iraq that was 
approved recently by the New England Annual Conference of the United 
Methodist Church. This statement, which calls for an orderly withdrawal 
of our troops from Iraq, points out the deficiencies in our Iraq 
policy, while maintaining toward our military and civilian personnel 
serving there an appropriately supportive position. I ask that a copy 
of the resolution adopted by the New England Annual Conference be 
printed here.

      RS--209 Regarding American Participation in the War in Iraq

    (Submitted by Proposed by Betty and Dan Allen, Mark Goad, Gary 
                 Richards, Don Rudalevige, Phil Susag)

                (Adopted Friday Evening, June 10, 2006)

       Scripture and the call of Justice demand of Christians a 
     bias towards peace and reconciliation. Our calling as United 
     Methodist Christians demands that we not remain silent 
     regarding the on-going war in Iraq. We proclaim a God who 
     cares for all people. Clear evidence of absolute need is 
     required before engaging in armed conflict. Such evidence 
     does not exist to support American occupation of Iraq. The 
     conflict has crated and spread terrorism, not lessened it. It 
     has compromised our own attitude as to the value of human 
     life.
       Therefore, The New England Conference of the United 
     Methodist Church calls on all churches to actively 
     participate in peace-making through preaching, prayer, study 
     and participation in local forums and peace actions.
       Further, we call on our church members to be in regular 
     contact with their U.S. Representatives and Senators, calling 
     for the orderly withdrawal of troops and personnel from Iraq. 
     We recommend that such contacts begin during the week of June 
     19 and continue on a monthly basis until such time as 
     withdrawal is achieved.
       Further, the Annual Conference directs the Secretary to 
     send this resolution to the U.S. Representatives and Senators 
     from the New England region, President Bush, Secretaries 
     Rumsfeld and Rice.
       Further, the New England Conference is called upon to 
     support those troops returning from Iraq with our prayers, 
     love and gratitude for their service to our country.

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