[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 27089-27090]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

 EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT DAY OF PEACE AND SHARING SHOULD BE 
                 ESTABLISHED AT BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of 
the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 138) expressing the 
sense of Congress that a day of peace and sharing should be established 
at the beginning of each year, and ask for its immediate consideration 
in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 138

       Whereas human progress in the 21st century will depend upon 
     global understanding and cooperation in finding positive 
     solutions to hunger and violence;
       Whereas the turn of the millennium offers unparalleled 
     opportunity for humanity to examine its past, set goals for 
     the future, and establish new patterns of behavior;
       Whereas the people of the United States and the world 
     observed the day designated by the United Nations General 
     Assembly as ``One Day in Peace, January 1, 2000'' (General 
     Assembly Resolution 54/29);
       Whereas the example set on that day ought to be recognized 
     globally and repeated each year;
       Whereas the people of the United States seek to establish 
     better relations with one another and with the people of all 
     countries; and
       Whereas celebration by the breaking of bread together 
     traditionally has been the means by which individuals, 
     societies, and nations join together in peace: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) each year should begin with a day of peace and sharing 
     during which--
       (A) people around the world should gather with family, 
     friends, neighbors, their faith community, or people of 
     another culture to pledge nonviolence in the new year and to 
     share in a celebratory new year meal; and
       (B) Americans who are able should match or multiply the 
     cost of their new year meal with a timely gift to the hungry 
     at home or abroad in a tangible demonstration of a desire for 
     increased friendship and sharing among people around the 
     world; and
       (2) the President should issue a proclamation each year 
     calling on the people of the United States and interested 
     organizations to observe such a day with appropriate programs 
     and activities.

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have been delighted to meet over the past 
several weeks with proponents of this resolution and the movement they 
represent. Their energy and dedication to the cause of peace is 
commendable.
  The idea of an annual meal with someone of another culture is 
patently a good one. It should lead, of course, to more such meals over 
the course of a year as people throughout the world get to know fellow-
humans of other backgrounds.

[[Page 27090]]

  I hope that Members of our House and of the public will carefully 
consider the sense of the House and the Senate as expressed in this 
resolution and if they feel it is appropriate that they will act 
accordingly.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the Senate concurrent 
resolution.
  The Senate concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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