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 na-
tions large and small. . .’’; 
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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 dif-
ferences; 
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 dig-
nity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all mem-
bers 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 dele-
gation to the first Commission on Human Rights, was re-
sponsible for drafting the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights and in recognition of her unparalleled hu-
manitarian 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, every-
where’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) recognizes on its 60th anniversary year the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a sin-
gular achievement of the community of nations; 
(2) recognizes the contribution in the Declara-
tion of Independence and the United States Con-
stitution to the development of the Universal Dec-
laration of Human Rights, and the role of the 
United States in preserving the legacy of these 
foundational human rights precepts through its par-
ticipation in the United Nations; 
(3) urges all United Nations Member States to 
renew their commitment to uphold and promote the 
transcendent principles of human dignity enshrined 
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, espe-
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cially on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable per-
sons and those who have no power to advocate on 
their own behalf; and 
(4) joins with colleagues inspired by the spirit 
of goodwill in parliaments throughout the world in 
seeking to guide the United Nations and its agencies 
to serve as effective instruments of genuine and last-
ing justice and peace among nations. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 10, 2008. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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