H.Con.Res. 221House111th Congress (2009-2011)In Committee

Requesting that the President issue a proclamation annually calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, and for other purposes.

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

December 11, 2009

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 11, 2009

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2971-2972)

December 11, 2009

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

December 11, 2009

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Con.Res. 221 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. John Conyers, Jr.D-MI-14 · Feb 24, 2010

Madam Speaker, on February 20, 2010, we lost a dedicated and tireless voice for the pursuit of peace and global sharing and cooperation, Linda Grover. I joined Ms. Grover in the founding of Global…

Madam Speaker, on February 20, 2010, we lost a dedicated and tireless voice for the pursuit of peace and global sharing and cooperation, Linda Grover. I joined Ms. Grover in the founding of Global Family Day, an effort to celebrate and promote harmony within the global family every January 1st, but it was Linda whose every undertaking was in the name of Global Family Day.

Linda Grover, an author, writer, and activist, was resolute in her belief that all people, regardless of race, culture, religion, or economic status, celebrate life on earth together as one human family. It was in the promotion of this ideal, that Linda Grover and her children conceived Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, an international holiday that would allow people around the world to engage in global fellowship.

Linda's Global Family Day initiatives were supported by the Congress and United Nations. In 2000, the 106th Congress unanimously passed S. Con. Res. 138 and in 2006, the 109th Congress unanimously passed H. Con. Res. 317 and S. Res. 582. These Congressional resolutions urged the President of the United States to issue an annual proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day. In 1999 and 2001, United Nations General Assembly resolutions, UNRes54/29 and UNRes56/2, were passed, recognizing a day of peace on January 1st and encouraging Member states to observe the global holiday.

This Congress, I introduced another Global Family Day resolution, H. Con. Res. 221. In this purpose, I was joined by Representative Dennis Kucinich and Senators Harry Reid and Daniel Inouye. It was Linda's hope, as well as ours, that there finally be a proclamation issued by the President asking that the citizens of the United States celebrate Global Family Day, thereby resulting in the Day's widespread observance.

In advancing Linda Grover's legacy, we will continue to pursue this proclamation and recognize Global Family Day every January 1st. Just as Ms. Grover believed, I think that, despite our differences, each of us has an interest in pursuing peaceful solutions to many of our contemporary world problems. A better appreciation for one another, practiced at the start of a new year, can only lead to the eradication of human suffering that results from violence, hunger, poverty, and other social ills.

Even in the weeks right before she died, Linda worked diligently to spread the Global Family Day message. Linda said, ``it's [Global Family Day] is going to improve our global attitude and give us a slightly better chance to overcome all these global crises that are demanding global solutions. Economy, Environment, Energy, Ethnic Enmity, Education, Employment, Epidemics--and those are just the ones that start with the letter E.''

Linda's fight and determination to spread the message of peace and sharing through Global Family Day will be missed. However, I will work to make sure that the message is not forgotten. Linda is survived by three children, who I understand will continue their mother's work to champion Global Family Day, and I will join them in this effort. We must all understand, as Linda did, that by working together as one global family, we can better meet the challenges humanity will face in the years to come.

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 11, 2009

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 221

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 11, 2009

Mr. Conyers (for himself and Mr. Kucinich) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Requesting that the President issue a proclamation annually calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, and for other purposes.

Whereas in 2009, the people of the world suffered many calamitous events, including devastation from tsunami, terror attacks, war, famines, genocides, hurricanes, earthquakes, political and religious conflicts, disease, poverty, and rioting, all necessitating global cooperation, compassion, and unity previously unprecedented among diverse cultures, faiths, and economic classes;

Whereas grave global challenges in the year 2010 may require cooperation and innovative problem-solving among citizens and nations on an even greater scale;

Whereas Congress has adopted three resolutions, S. Con. Res. 138 on December 15, 2000, H. Con. Res. 317 on September 19, 2006, and S. Res. 582 on September 25, 2006, expressing the sense of Congress that the President of the United States should issue a proclamation each year calling upon the people of the United States and interested organizations to observe an international day of peace and sharing at the beginning of each year;

Whereas in 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 56/2, which invited Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and all the peoples of the world to celebrate One Day in Peace, 1 January 2002, and every year thereafter;

Whereas many foreign heads of state have recognized the importance of establishing Global Family Day, a special day of international unity, peace, and sharing, on the first day of each year; and

Whereas family is the basic structure of humanity, thus, we must all look to the stability and love within our individual families to create stability in the global community: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress—

(1)

requests that the President issue a proclamation annually calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, a day which is dedicated to—

(A)

eradicating violence, hunger, poverty, and suffering; and

(B)

establishing greater trust and fellowship among peace-loving nations and families everywhere; and

(2)

requests that the President invite former Presidents of the United States, Nobel laureates, and other notables, including United States business, labor, faith, and civic leaders, to join the President in promoting appropriate activities for the people of the United States and in extending appropriate greetings from the families of the United States to families around the world.