IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 290

Expressing the sense of the Congress that women throughout the world

should join together for a week of workshops, forums, and other events

to speak up for world peace.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DECEMBER 18, 2001

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas submitted the following concurrent

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that women throughout

the world should join together for a week of workshops,

forums, and other events to speak up for world peace.

Whereas the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, have

focused the world’s attention on the scourge of terrorism

and the need to challenge the belief that violence is an

acceptable tool in resolving differences and conflicts;

Whereas the presence of the United Nations peacekeeping

missions throughout the world is a strong indication of

the need for increased dialogue in order to bring lasting

peace to war-torn and strife-ridden areas of the world;

Whereas the Beijing Declaration of the United Nations

Fourth World Conference on Women stated that the full

participation of women in all spheres of society, including
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participation in decisionmaking processes, is fundamental

for the achievement of equality, development, and peace;

Whereas women are generally non-combatants in war but are

severely affected by conditions accompanying war,

through displacement as refugees and the deprivation of

human and civil rights;

Whereas women at the grassroots level have been deeply involved in establishing and maintaining stability within

their communities through cooperative efforts that often

reach across boundaries of race, class, and economic circumstances;

Whereas the individual and collective works of women in

peace-building and community-building activities help to

undo the legacies of hatred and suspicion and therefore

break the cycle of violence;

Whereas in the last 50 years, the political and social influence of women in the United States and throughout the

world has increased and the voices of women are emerging in policy disciplines from which they have traditionally been excluded, including national security, foreign

policy, and international economics;

Whereas the rights and interests of women are rarely given

attention during formal peace negotiations, and the failure to address these issues ensures that the status quo

will continue;

Whereas in peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts, the contributions of women to the economy and the potential of

women as agents of economic and social change must be

given appropriate consideration; and

Whereas the month of May, when the traditional role of

women as mothers and caregivers is recognized on Moth-
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er’s Day, is an appropriate time to focus on the role of

women in achieving world peace: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that

3 women throughout the world should join together for a

4 week of workshops, forums, and other events to speak up

5 for world peace.

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