IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 535 

Commending the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions 

for calling upon all nations to live in peace and mutual understanding. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 11, 2009 

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA (for himself, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. RAHALL, 

Mr. MCKEON, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. BORDALLO, Mrs. 

CHRISTENSEN, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. WILSON of 

South Carolina, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. ISSA, Mr. 

FLAKE, Mr. TIBERI, Mr. CAO, Mrs. BONO MACK, Ms. WATSON, Mr. 

PAYNE, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. SIRES, Mr. MCDERMOTT, and 

Mr. ABERCROMBIE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Commending the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for calling upon all nations to live in 

peace and mutual understanding. 

Whereas religious leaders can be a decisive factor in maintaining peace and security in the world; 

Whereas a Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was established in 2003; 

Whereas the Congress is based on the premise that religion 

can be an important arbiter for resolving political differences and conflicts; 


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•HRES 535 IH 

Whereas the purpose of the Congress is to advance tolerance, 

development, and security; 

Whereas the Congress provides a forum for improving understanding and mutual cooperation among religious communities from around the world; 

Whereas the Congress considers interfaith dialogue one of the 

most important instruments for the maintenance of peace 

and harmony among peoples and nations; 

Whereas the Congress regularly holds forums that address, 

among other issues, religious freedom, inter-religious dialogue, and the role of religious leaders in strengthening 

global security; 

Whereas the world’s major religions, including Buddhism, 

Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto, and 

Taoism are represented in the Congress; 

Whereas religious leaders representing more than 26 nations, 

including Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, 

Libya, Armenia, South Korea, China, India, Thailand, 

the United States, Switzerland, France, Japan, and the 

Holy See, participate in the Congress; 

Whereas a Secretariat of the Congress was established by the 

leaders and representatives of the world and traditional 

religions in 2003 as a permanent body of the interfaith 

dialogue; 

Whereas the Secretariat of the Congress adopted resolutions 

to convene the second and third Congress in 2006 and 

2009; and 

Whereas the third Congress will be held in Astana, 

Kazakhstan, July 1–2, 2009: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 535 IH 

1 (1) commends the Congress of Leaders of 

2 World and Traditional Religions for calling upon all 

3 nations to live in peace and mutual understanding; 

4 (2) supports freedom of religion and conscience 

5 throughout the world as a fundamental human right 

6 and as a source of stability for all countries; and 

7 (3) recognizes Kazakhstan for initiating the 

8 Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Reli9 gions and for having been selected by the Secretariat 

10 to host the second and third Congress. 

Æ 


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