[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8655-H8657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORTING CHRISTIAN, JEWISH, MUSLIM INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (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, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 374

       Whereas interfaith dialogue among Christians, Jews, and 
     Muslims is a powerful way to bridge the chasms of mistrust 
     and misunderstanding that can divide adherents to the 3 
     Abrahamic faiths;
       Whereas a number of important initiatives to enhance 
     interfaith dialogue have been launched in recent years;
       Whereas in 1997, the Three Faiths Forum was founded in 
     London and has focused on ``improving understanding between 
     the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities'';
       Whereas in 1998, the Foundation for the Three Cultures of 
     the Mediterranean was founded in Seville, Spain, by former 
     Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, King Juan Carlos I of 
     Spain, and King Hassan II of Morocco, with the objective of 
     promoting cooperation between Christians, Jews, and Muslims;
       Whereas in 2005, King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom 
     of Jordan launched the ``Amman Interfaith Message'' in order 
     to ``establish full acceptance and goodwill'' between 
     Christians, Jews, and Muslims;
       Whereas in 2007, 138 Muslim scholars, leaders, and 
     activists sent a letter to numerous Christian leaders 
     expressing their support for peace, harmony, and goodwill 
     between Christians, Jews, and Muslims;
       Whereas in 2007, the Council of Religious Institutions of 
     the Holy Land was founded ``to advance [the] sacred values 
     [of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism], to prevent religion 
     from being used as a source of conflict, and instead serve 
     the goals of just and comprehensive peace and 
     reconciliation'';
       Whereas the Vatican has announced that the Pope intends to 
     address a Catholic-Muslim summit of religious leaders in 
     November 2008;
       Whereas interfaith dialogue has the potential to inspire 
     men and women around the world to appreciate the common 
     values shared by adherents of different religions, thereby 
     strengthening the bonds of respect, cooperation, and 
     tolerance against the forces of radicalism, extremism, and 
     hatred;
       Whereas these initiatives provide an opportunity to elevate 
     the voices of people of faith who, often at risk to 
     themselves, advocate for peace and understanding, courageous 
     positions too often drowned out by radical extremists; and
       Whereas unity among leaders of different faiths is a 
     powerful weapon to fight intolerance, marginalize extremism, 
     and defeat the agents of terrorism: 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 in initiatives of interfaith 
     dialogue among leaders of the 3 Abrahamic faiths;
       (2) the United States further supports additional meetings 
     of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious leaders aimed at 
     greater dialogue between the religions;
       (3) the United States encourages the many people of faith 
     around the world who reject terrorism, radicalism, and 
     extremism to join these and similar efforts in order to build 
     a common bond based on peace, reconciliation, and a 
     commitment to tolerance; and
       (4) the United States appreciates those voices around the 
     world who condemn terrorism, intolerance, genocide, and 
     ethnic and religious hatred, and instead commit themselves to 
     a global peace anchored in respect and understanding among 
     adherents of the 3 Abrahamic faiths.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Berman) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
but no longer than 3 minutes as I need an arbitrary restraint.
  I want to begin first by thanking both the gentleman from Tennessee 
(Mr. Wamp) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison) for this 
resolution and for coming to the committee with a sense of the 
importance of this resolution and for the broader sentiment this 
resolution reflects, which is a broad and sincere commitment to global 
interfaith dialogue. I think it's a brilliant proposal.
  I am pleased to have before us this resolution that supports such 
interfaith dialogue. I know its authors were inspired by a dialogue 
that 138 Muslim scholars, from all major sects of Islam, initiated in a 
letter to the Pope and to other Christian leaders. The letter 
emphasizes the importance of religious tolerance and of mutual respect 
between Christians and Muslims. In fact, the Pope graciously responded 
to this letter by agreeing to host a summit of

[[Page H8656]]

Catholic and Muslim leaders that is scheduled for this November.
  This initiative reflects the same spirit as that of several other 
major interfaith initiatives meant to strengthen relations among the 
Abrahamic faiths, such as the 2005 Amman Initiative of King Abdullah II 
of Jordan and the 1998 initiative launched by the now Israeli President 
Shimon Peres, by King Juan Carlos I of Spain and by the late King 
Hassan II of Morocco.
  Ever since Samuel Huntington coined the phrase, much is said in our 
public discourse about a ``clash of civilizations'' and about how to 
avoid it, but we really have to shoot higher than that. We have to aim 
to seek a comedy of civilizations. To do so, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, 
and other religious leaders must emphasize the core similarities of 
their faiths and values.
  This resolution encourages understanding and partnership among 
Christians, Muslims and Jews. Much of the cultural heritage of the West 
and the Middle East can be ascribed to these three Abrahamic religions, 
but of course interfaith dialogue doesn't need to and should not stop 
there. We should support and encourage the sentiments expressed in this 
resolution in favor of dialogue, not only among Abrahamic religions but 
among all religions.
  While there is much work still to be done to reach our goals, I again 
want to thank Mr. Ellison and Mr. Wamp for this resolution that points 
the way towards developing societies, in the words of the resolution, 
based on peace, reconciliation and on a commitment to tolerance.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 374, which 
expresses the House's backing for interfaith dialogue between 
Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time when violent extremists are misusing Islam in 
order to encourage others to commit mass murder and to do away with 
liberty, it is more important than ever for true moderates from all 
faiths to come together and to unequivocally repudiate hate and 
violence and to embrace peace, tolerance and religious freedom for all.
  As true moderates do come together for this most noble of purpose, 
they should know that America stands with them in their quest.
  Mr. Speaker, while this important resolution deals with interfaith 
dialogue involving adherence to Christianity, to Judaism and to Islam, 
I would like to note that interfaith dialogue and religious freedom 
should encompass all faiths.
  Finally, I would like to thank my distinguished colleague and dear 
friend, Mr. Wamp of Tennessee, for introducing this important 
resolution and for presenting it before us today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to a 
cosponsor of the resolution, to a gentleman who brought it to my 
attention some months ago. He is the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Ellison).
  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I know that it's protocol and important to 
thank the Chair of the committee and the ranking member, but today, I 
have to convey my very sincere and heartfelt thanks to Chairman Berman 
and to Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Of course, I have to also 
thank my dear friend Zach Wamp, who came to me many months ago and 
proposed that we offer this resolution together.
  I believe this is an historic day, and I am deeply humbled. Other 
than the day that I had to come here before the House to talk about the 
collapse of our bridge in Minneapolis, I feel the most sense of emotion 
and of weight and of gravity today.
  I also want to point out that this resolution that comes to the floor 
today takes place during a very special time for people of the Muslim 
faith, which is the month of Ramadan--a month of reflection, of fasting 
and, based on this resolution's coming to the floor, of good things as 
well.
  The passion that my colleague Mr. Wamp and I share for this 
resolution may strike some Members as unusual, but it shouldn't. 
Indeed, as Members of Congress on different sides of the political 
aisle, Mr. Wamp and I may not always agree on policy, but we are two 
men who have come together as people of faith to highlight what we both 
believe are historic interfaith developments within the Christian, 
Jewish and Muslim faiths.
  In late 2007, 138 Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam, 
representing communities of faith in countries both friendly and 
hostile to the United States, sent a letter to Christian leaders 
everywhere, declaring common ground between our faiths and seeking 
dialogue among leaders of two traditions that represent nearly half the 
world's population.

                              {time}  1815

  Responding to that letter, some 300 Christian leaders, including many 
leaders in the United States, declared in November 2007 their 
appreciation and support for this historic outreach. In March 2008 the 
Vatican announced that the Pope had invited these scholars to a first-
ever summit, which will meet in Rome in November 2008.
  I believe the mutual respect by all participants in this effort holds 
tremendous transformative power, not only for relations between 
Christians and Muslims, but also for Islam's entire relationship with 
the West.
  I believe it is in the best interests of the United States to support 
and encourage those efforts so that the world knows that our Nation 
stands with those people who reject extremism and violence and hate and 
embrace reconciliation.
  Let me read from the resolution: ``It is the sense of Congress . . . 
that the United States encourages the many people of faith around the 
world who reject terrorism, radicalism, and extremism to join these and 
similar efforts to build a common bond based on peace, reconciliation 
and a commitment to tolerance . . . Furthermore, the United States 
appreciates those voices around the world who condemn terrorism, 
intolerance, genocide and ethnic and religious hatred, and instead 
commit themselves to global peace anchored in respect and understanding 
among the adherents of the three Abrahamic faiths,'' Christianity, 
Judaism and Islam.
  Today, our world knows too many people who are divided, rather than 
healed, by faith. I speak for myself, but I am sure most Members of the 
House would agree that our religious faith is a great source of 
strength and has the transformative effect of bringing people together, 
not pushing them apart.
  I believe this resolution will serve to send a strong message to 
people everywhere that Members of the House stand in solidarity with 
members of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith as they confront 
ancient and modern divisions so that peace may prevail. It is brought 
up during a particularly special month for me.
  I urge my colleagues to support this truly bipartisan resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he 
may consume to the author of this resolution, my good friend from 
Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).
  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, over the last 14 years that I have had the 
privilege to serve here in the House, many times I have come to the 
floor from the head.
  Today, I totally come to the floor from the heart, and that was the 
initial motive that I had was from the heart. We can't really speak for 
each other because we are speaking from our faith perspectives, but I 
do think that our motives are all for peace, and that is the common 
denominator that brings us together today. It is historic in the sense 
that three principal sponsors here are a Muslim, a Jew and a Christian. 
I happen to be an evangelical.
  But we are here in a country that is pluralistic, that separates us 
from the entire world in that we honor and respect everyone's religious 
views. We may have a foundation that's Judeo-Christian, but it's so 
important that we cling to this pluralistic approach. We are not 
theocratic, and we do not want the world to be divided over our 
religious beliefs.
  The common denominator today is that we stand together against 
radicalism and violence and terrorism. I have seen polling data in the 
Islamic world that shows that 92 percent of Islam denounces and does 
not believe

[[Page H8657]]

that terrorism is an acceptable means to an end. That's the good news.
  The bad news is that 8 percent is a very large number of people. But 
we want to encourage the moderates, the peace lovers in all of the 
Abrahamic faiths to stand together against radicalism and extremism and 
promote tolerance and a pluralistic view, as we have in this country, 
that is part of our foundation that says every one has the right to 
worship as they please and to believe as they please, even not to 
believe, if they please. That is part of our fabric.
  The divisions over religion in the world create this danger of some 
kind of an event where, over religious intolerance and difference in 
the world, we can have a Crusades-like event.
  Now Jesus to me is love. That's my belief. I come to the floor today 
to say I in no way want to water down anyone's faith or beliefs, but I 
do believe that Jesus taught us blessed are the peacemakers, for they 
shall inherit the kingdom of heaven, and I want that to be me.
  I am speaking for that belief, and I believe there is a time for war. 
I believe when we are attacked, we have to defend ourselves and our 
freedom and our way of life.
  But there is also a time for peace, and I hope and pray that is now. 
I think you have to risk peace from time to time, and that's what I am 
doing on the floor today. I think we must, as a Nation, risk peace.
  I want to commend Tony Hall, who is part of the formation of the 
Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, also known as the 
Jerusalem Council, where Mr. Berman, Mr. Ellison and I got together 
with the religious leaders from the Holy Land of all three Abrahamic 
faiths to promote peace.
  Many times the state departments and the governments of these 
countries get together to talk peace, but then religious leaders are 
not there, engaged, buying into what the policies are that will 
maintain peace. We want the religious leaders to also come together and 
stand against radicalism and violence and division in the world.
  I think the scope of these divisions are so great that this is the 
greatest pursuit we can engage in to lasting peace, is to stand 
together against radicalism and to respect each other's religious 
views. That's what I call risking peace. That's the common denominator.
  I don't want to say that I know Mr. Ellison's motives or Mr. Berman's 
motives, but I know mine. I ask the House to come together and stand 
together, even if it's for this brief moment, respecting our traditions 
of pluralism, and the freedom of religion, but standing together united 
against radicalism and violence and terrorism and encouraging all in 
the Islamic world, and all in every faith, to stand together against 
violence and destruction and death so that we have the hope of a world 
that could exist together in peace, because blessed are those 
peacemakers.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, with great appreciation to both of the 
sponsors of this resolution, I yield back the remainder of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 374, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Concurrent resolution 
supporting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim interfaith dialogue that 
promotes peace, understanding, unity, and religious freedom.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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