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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses support for
11 the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ recognizes the importance of the Parliament of the World's Religions as an
15 international conference to find common ground between faiths;
16 ▸ urges support for, and participation in, the Parliament of the World's Religions; and
17 ▸ recognizes the Parliament of the World's Religions' focus on addressing violence
18 and war, decreasing wealth disparities, caring for creation, and encouraging
19 sustainable living.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
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23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, Utah will be in the international spotlight when Salt Lake City hosts the
25 international interfaith conference of the Parliament of the World's Religions from October
26 15-19, 2015;
27 WHEREAS, Utah has the experience and existing infrastructure to embrace people
28 from across the globe;
29 WHEREAS, over 10,000 people from around the world plan to attend the Parliament of
30 the World's Religions to find common ground while respecting all faiths and beliefs;
31 WHEREAS, Utah has strong interfaith roots;
32 WHEREAS, Utah is the world headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of
33 Latter-day Saints, which supports and promotes interfaith connections;
34 WHEREAS, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom web page
35 titled "Environmental Stewardship and Conservation" states, "All humankind are stewards over
36 the earth and should gratefully use what God has given, avoid wasting life and resources and
37 use the bounty of the earth to care for the poor and the needy" and "The earth and all things on
38 it should be used responsibly to sustain the human family. However, all are stewards -- not
39 owners -- over this earth and its bounty and will be accountable before God for what they do
40 with His creations";
41 WHEREAS, the 2015 theme of the Parliament of the World's Religions is "Reclaiming
42 the Heart of our Humanity: Working Together for a World of Compassion, Peace, Justice, and
43 Sustainability";
44 WHEREAS, the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions will focus on addressing
45 violence and war, decreasing wealth disparities, caring for creation, and encouraging
46 sustainable living;
47 WHEREAS, the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions will put extra time and
48 energy into reaching out to three special groups - namely, young people and students,
49 indigenous peoples, and women;
50 WHEREAS, the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions will host His Holiness the
51 Dalai Lama and several other Nobel Peace Prize winners and religious dignitaries; and
52 WHEREAS, the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions will generate over $14
53 million in tourist-participant related revenues for the local economy:
54 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
55 Governor concurring therein, welcomes the thousands of participants in the Parliament of the
56 World's Religions from around the world to the state of Utah.
57 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor particularly
58 welcome young people and students, indigenous peoples, and women as participants in the
59 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions.
60 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor welcome His
61 Holiness the Dalai Lama and several other Nobel Peace Prize winners and religious dignitaries.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
63 Parliament of the World's Religions' focus on addressing violence and war, decreasing wealth
64 disparities, caring for creation, and encouraging sustainable living.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
66 importance of a strong interfaith movement.
67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the international
68 interfaith conference of the Parliament of the World's Religions and the Salt Lake Interfaith
69 Roundtable.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-7-15 10:00 AM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel