IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 332 

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human 

Rights. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 24, 2008 

Mr. FORTENBERRY (for himself and Mr. DELAHUNT) submitted the following 

concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Universal 

Declaration of Human Rights. 

Whereas the United Nations Charter sought to establish an 

international forum to ‘‘save succeeding generations from 

the scourge of war. . ., reaffirm faith in fundamental 

human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human 

person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. . .’’; 

Whereas, through manifold works of generosity, the people of 

the United States exemplify a noble conviction that the 

deepest yearnings of the human heart for respect and 

dignity transcend political, ethnic, and religious differences; 


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•HCON 332 IH 

Whereas the people of the United States continue to inspire 

their leaders to prioritize endeavors which bring hope and 

healing to those in need throughout the world; 

Whereas the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 

10, 1948, as a ‘‘common standard of achievement for all 

peoples and nations. . .’’; 

Whereas the preamble of the Universal Declaration of 

Human Rights states, ‘‘. . .recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, 

justice, and peace in the world. . .’’; 

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets 

forth a common understanding of universal rights and 

freedoms and the notion that these cannot be created and 

are neither conferred by countries nor by governments, 

but rather are inalienable rights and freedoms with which 

all human persons are endowed by their very nature; and 

Whereas United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 

noted on Human Rights Day 2007, that ‘‘[i]t is our duty 

to ensure that these rights are a living reality—that they 

are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes on its 60th anniversary year the 

4 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a sin5 gular achievement of the community of nations; 

6 (2) recognizes the contribution in the Declara7 tion of Independence and the United States ConVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:53 Apr 25, 2008 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC332.IH HC332

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•HCON 332 IH 

1 stitution to the development of the Universal Dec2 laration of Human Rights, and the role of the 

3 United States in preserving the legacy of these 

4 foundational human rights precepts through its par5 ticipation in the United Nations; 

6 (3) urges all United Nations Member States to 

7 renew their commitment to uphold and promote the 

8 transcendent principles of human dignity enshrined 

9 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, espe10 cially on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable per11 sons and those who have no power to advocate on 

12 their own behalf; and 

13 (4) joins with colleagues inspired by the spirit 

14 of goodwill in parliaments throughout the world in 

15 seeking to guide the United Nations and its agencies 

16 to serve as effective instruments of genuine and last17 ing justice and peace among nations. 

Æ 


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