IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1259 
Recognizing the 72d anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights and the celebration of ‘‘Human Rights Day’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 10, 2020 
Mr. LOWENTHAL (for himself, Mr. POCAN, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. GRIJALVA, 
Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Ms. HAALAND, Mr. 
RASKIN, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. 
MCCOLLUM, Mrs. TORRES of California, Mr. CA´RDENAS, Mr. CICILLINE, 
Ms. NORTON, Ms. OMAR, Mr. HIMES, Mr. RUSH, Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. 
BONAMICI, Mrs. DEMINGS, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Ms. 
MENG, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. CASE, Mr. COOPER, Mr. SIRES, Ms. LEE of 
California, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, 
Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Mr. CORREA, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. JOHNSON 
of Georgia, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. VARGAS, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Ms. 
MATSUI, Mr. HIGGINS of New York, Mr. BERA, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. 
TRONE, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. TITUS, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. 
SHERMAN, Mr. EVANS, and Mr. COSTA) submitted the following resolu-
tion; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the 72d anniversary of the Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights and the celebration of ‘‘Human Rights 
Day’’. 
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopt-
ed by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, rep-
resents the first comprehensive agreement among coun-
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•HRES 1259 IH 
tries as to the specific rights and freedoms of all human 
beings; 
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upholds 
the basic principles of liberty and freedom enshrined in 
the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of 
Rights; 
Whereas awareness of human rights— 
(1) is essential to the realization of fundamental 
freedoms; 
(2) promotes equality; 
(3) contributes to preventing conflict and human 
rights violations; and 
(4) enhances participation in democratic processes; 
Whereas Congress has a proud history of promoting human 
rights that are internationally recognized; 
Whereas the global COVID–19 pandemic has exacerbated on-
going human rights violations and created new ones; 
Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States to 
observe consistent and principled human rights policies in 
the face of growing illiberalism and authoritarianism 
around the world; 
Whereas the United States is dedicated to working with its 
allies and partners to confront these challenges and to 
bolster respect for human rights and fundamental free-
doms as described in the Universal Declaration; and 
Whereas December 10 of each year is celebrated around the 
world as ‘‘Human Rights Day’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of 
‘‘Human Rights Day’’; 
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•HRES 1259 IH 
(2) recognizes the 72d anniversary of the Uni-
versal Declaration of Human Rights; 
(3) reaffirms the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights; 
(4) supports the right of human rights defend-
ers all over the world to promote the fundamental 
freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights; and 
(5) encourages the people of the United 
States— 
(A) to observe Human Rights Day; and 
(B) to continue a commitment to uphold-
ing freedom, democracy, and human rights 
around the globe. 
Æ 
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