III
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 185
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPTEMBER 15, 1998
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas on December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the
United Nations proclaimed the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, after it was adopted by the General As-
sembly without a dissenting vote;
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
modeled on the Bill of Rights of the United States Con-
stitution and it was developed with strong United States
HCON 185 RFS
leadership, and in particular the personal involvement of
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, who served as Chair of the
United Nations Human Rights Commission;
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets
forth fundamental human rights including the right to
life, liberty, and security of person; freedom of religion;
freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of assembly;
self-government through free elections; freedom from
slavery and torture; the right to a fair trial and to equal-
ity before the law; presumption of innocence until proved
guilty; the right not to be subjected to retroactive laws;
freedom of movement within one’s state and freedom to
leave or return to it; the right of asylum; the right to a
nationality; the right to found a family; the right against
arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or cor-
respondence; the right to own property; to social security
and to work; the right to form and join trade unions; the
right to an adequate standard of living, to education, and
to rest and leisure; and the right to participation in the
cultural life of the community;
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has be-
come the most widely accepted statement identifying
human rights and is referred to in resolutions and cov-
enants adopted by numerous international organizations,
in multilateral and bilateral treaties, in national constitu-
tions, and in local laws and decrees; and
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, though
it is not a treaty or a binding international agreement,
it is ‘‘a common standard of achievement for all peoples
and all nations’’: Now, therefore, be it
HCON 185 RFS
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) reaffirms the commitment of the United
States to the fundamental human rights enunciated
half a century ago in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, which are a reflection of the fun-
damental civil and human rights that are enshrined
in the Declaration of Independence and in the
United States Constitution, and in particular in the
Bill of Rights;
(2) expresses the determination to work for the
implementation of and observance of international
human rights and international human rights agree-
ments; and
(3) urges the government leaders of all nations,
representatives of private international human rights
organizations, business and labor leaders, local gov-
ernment officials, and all Americans to use the Uni-
versal Declaration of Human Rights as an instru-
ment to promote tolerance, understanding, and
greater respect for human rights.
Passed the House of Representatives September 14,
1998.
Attest:
ROBIN H. CARLE,
Clerk.