The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #24 on Resolution D077 (Remembering Hurricanes Katrina and Rita) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D077)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention offer its continued prayers for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention express deep appreciation and thanks for all Episcopalians who have offered prayers, support and contributed financial and material assistance to all those affected by the hurricanes; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention express deep appreciation and thanks for the Gulf Coast diocesan staffs as they continue to minister to the congregations and individuals of their dioceses; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention encourage Episcopalians to continue to press the federal government to meet its commitments for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention recognize that the widespread presence of potentially toxic substances poses an immediate health risk to returning residents and cleanup workers; and that unsafe disposal of hazardous materials or burning waste will impact human and environmental health; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention support the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast communities which are racially and economically diverse, and rebuilt in an environmentally sustainable manner; and be it further

Resolved, That we recognize that the Gulf Coast Hurricanes are not catastrophes isolated to a subsection of God’s world, but are tragedies that have touched and will continue to touch all of God’s creation, and that poverty and environmental degradation exists in every community in our nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention challenge Episcopalians to be reminded that across the country and around the world, our lifestyles often produce silent destruction and undermine the health of marginalized communities; and be it further

Resolved, That as Christians, we are called to act on our beliefs and to work for justice and peace for all of God’s creation and that these actions include personal actions, congregational action, and public witness with policy makers.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention offer its continued prayers for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention express deep appreciation and thanks for all Episcopalians who have offered prayers, support and contributed financial and material assistance to all those affected by the hurricanes; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention express deep appreciation and thanks to the bishops, diocesan staffs, and congregations of the dioceses of the Central Gulf Coast, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas for the Gulf Coast diocesan staffsas they continue to minister to the congregations and individuals of their diocese; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention encourage Episcopalians to continue to press the federal government to meet its commitments for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention recognize that the widespread presence of potentially toxic substances poses an immediate health risk to returning residents and cleanup workers; and that unsafe disposal of hazardous materials or burning waste will impact human and environmental health; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention support the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast communities in a manner that supports racial and economic justicewhich are racially and economically diverse, and rebuilt in an environmentally sustainable manner; and be it further

Resolved, That we recognize that the Gulf Coast Hurricanes are not catastrophes isolated to a subsection of God’s world, but are tragedies that have touched and will continue to touch all of God’s creation, and that poverty and environmental degradation exists in every community in our nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention challenge Episcopalians to be reminded that across the country and around the world, our lifestyles often produce silent destruction and undermine the health of marginalized communities; and be it further

Resolved, That as Christians, we are called to act on our beliefs and to work for justice and peace for all of God’s creation and that these actions include personal actions, congregational action, and public witness with policy makers.

The Bishop of North Dakota moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve clause, add the words “Western Louisiana” after the word “Louisiana.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Central Florida moved to divide the first four resolve clauses from the last five resolve clauses.

Motion carried

Resolution divided

A vote was taken on the first, second, third, and fourth resolve clauses of Resolution D077 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolved clauses adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #231)

A vote was taken on the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth resolve clauses of Resolution D077 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolved clauses adopted

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #251)