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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 2015

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PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS

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2015 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Sandra Hollins

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Senate Sponsor: Jani Iwamoto

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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
22     

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