[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 333 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
July 11, 2005.
Whereas, on July 22, 2004, Congress declared that genocide was taking place in
Darfur, Sudan;
Whereas, on September 9, 2004, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell testified to
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that ``genocide has been
committed in Darfur'';
Whereas, on September 21, 2004, President George W. Bush stated to the United
Nations General Assembly that ``the world is witnessing terrible
suffering and horrible crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan, crimes my
government has concluded are genocide'';
Whereas Article 1 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide, done at Paris December 9, 1948, and entered into
force January 12, 1951, states that ``[t]he Contracting Parties confirm
that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is
a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to
punish'';
Whereas fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom of thought,
conscience, and religion, are protected in numerous international
agreements and declarations;
Whereas the United Nations Security Council, in Security Council Resolution
1591, condemned the ``continued violations of the N'djamena Ceasefire
Agreement of 8 April 2004 and the Abuja Protocols of 9 November 2004 by
all sides in Darfur and the deterioration of the security situation and
negative impact this has had on humanitarian assistance efforts'';
Whereas scholars estimate that as many as 400,000 have died from violence,
hunger, and disease since the outbreak of conflict in Darfur began in
2003, and that as many as 10,000 may be dying each month;
Whereas it is estimated that more than 2,000,000 people have been displaced from
their homes and remain in camps in Darfur and Chad;
Whereas religious leaders, genocide survivors, and world leaders have expressed
grave concern over the continuing atrocities taking place in Darfur; and
Whereas it is appropriate that the people of the United States, leaders and
citizens alike, unite in prayer for the people of Darfur and reflect
upon the situation in Darfur: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer
and Reflection for Darfur, Sudan;
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe that
weekend by praying for an end to the genocide and crimes against
humanity and for lasting peace in Darfur, Sudan; and
(3) urges all churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious
institutions in the United States to consider the issue of Darfur in
their activities and to observe the National Weekend of Prayer and
Reflection with appropriate activities and services.
Attest:
Clerk.