[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 22783]]

                    HONORING A DAY OF UNDERSTANDING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2001

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge Sunday, 
November 18, 2001 as a Day of Understanding. In a society where so many 
diverse ethnicities and beliefs coincide with each other every day it 
is important that we take the time to realize and appreciate all the 
different cultures that are represented throughout the United States.
  The County of San Luis Obispo in California has resolved that 
November 18th be recognized as a Day of Understanding, in order to 
promote understanding among many different faiths. As a nation, we need 
to take this opportunity to listen and learn about one another's 
faiths, and attempt to understand different cultures and practices.
  Religious intolerance and lack of understanding has long contributed 
to wars between different groups throughout the history of mankind. It 
is time to recognize and appreciate cultural differences instead of 
condemn and remain ignorant about them. In a free society, peoples of 
divergent faiths should endeavor to understand and respect one 
another's different religious and spiritual heritages, beliefs, hopes 
and dreams, and it is my hope that by acknowledging the Day of 
Understanding we are taking the first step in making this possible.
  I encourage you to pause this Sunday, November 18, and take the time 
to ask a neighbor, friend, or co-worker about his or her culture or 
religion that may be different than yours. We should all attempt to 
learn more about and appreciate the multitude of cultures that surround 
us every day, and I am so pleased that the citizens of San Luis Obispo 
County have taken the initiative in creating this wonderful Day of 
Understanding.

                          ____________________