A BALANCED RESOLUTION ON IRAQ
(House of Representatives - Congressional Record - July 13, 2006)

U.S. House of Representatives
July 13, 2006
 

Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, as someone who voted against the original legislation authorizing the U.S. military action in Iraq, I remain convinced that our military involvement there is a mistake, regardless of which of the Administration's evolving rationales for sending U.S. troops there is put forward. 

I was therefore pleased to receive the resolution on Iraq that was approved recently by the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This statement, which calls for an orderly withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, points out the deficiencies in our Iraq policy, while maintaining toward our military and civilian personnel serving there an appropriately supportive position. I ask that a copy of the resolution adopted by the New England Annual Conference be printed here.

RS--209 REGARDING AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN THE WAR IN IRAQ

(Submitted by Proposed by Betty and Dan Allen, Mark Goad, Gary Richards, Don Rudalevige, Phil Susag)

(Adopted Friday Evening, June 10, 2006)

Scripture and the call of Justice demand of Christians a bias towards peace and reconciliation. Our calling as United Methodist Christians demands that we not remain silent regarding the on-going war in Iraq. We proclaim a God who cares for all people. Clear evidence of absolute need is required before engaging in armed conflict. Such evidence does not exist to support American occupation of Iraq. The conflict has crated and spread terrorism, not lessened it. It has compromised our own attitude as to the value of human life.

Therefore, The New England Conference of the United Methodist Church calls on all churches to actively participate in peace-making through preaching, prayer, study and participation in local forums and peace actions.

Further, we call on our church members to be in regular contact with their U.S. Representatives and Senators, calling for the orderly withdrawal of troops and personnel from Iraq. We recommend that such contacts begin during the week of June 19 and continue on a monthly basis until such time as withdrawal is achieved.

Further, the Annual Conference directs the Secretary to send this resolution to the U.S. Representatives and Senators from the New England region, President Bush, Secretaries Rumsfeld and Rice.

Further, the New England Conference is called upon to support those troops returning from Iraq with our prayers, love and gratitude for their service to our country.

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