III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 332 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 11, 2008 

Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

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. . .’’; 


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HCON 332 RFS 

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; 

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; 

Whereas, Eleanor Roosevelt, who led the United States delegation to the first Commission on Human Rights, was responsible for drafting the Universal Declaration of 

Human Rights and in recognition of her unparalleled humanitarian conviction, was elected as Chairwoman of the 

Commission; Eleanor Roosevelt expressed her vision of a 

declaration of true universality with enduring principles 

that would be perpetually recognized by all nations when 


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she stated, as she submitted the Universal Declaration of 

Human Rights for consideration by the United Nations 

General Assembly, ‘‘We stand today at the threshold of 

a great event both in the life of the United Nations and 

in the life of mankind. This declaration may well become 

the international Magna Carta for all men everywhere.’’; 

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 Con8 stitution to the development of the Universal Dec9 laration of Human Rights, and the role of the 

10 United States in preserving the legacy of these 

11 foundational human rights precepts through its par12 ticipation in the United Nations; 

13 (3) urges all United Nations Member States to 

14 renew their commitment to uphold and promote the 

15 transcendent principles of human dignity enshrined 

16 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, espeVerDate Aug 31 2005 00:28 Jun 12, 2008 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC332.RFS HC332

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HCON 332 RFS 

1 cially on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable per2 sons and those who have no power to advocate on 

3 their own behalf; and 

4 (4) joins with colleagues inspired by the spirit 

5 of goodwill in parliaments throughout the world in 

6 seeking to guide the United Nations and its agencies 

7 to serve as effective instruments of genuine and last8 ing justice and peace among nations. 

Passed the House of Representatives June 10, 2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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