(Clearwisdom.net) On the occasion of the Human Rights Torch Relay arriving at the US, the House of Representatives and Senate of the State of Maine jointly passed the following resolution expressing support for the Human Rights Torch Relay. The Resolution proclaimed April 2008 to be Human Rights Torch Relay Month. The resolution pointed out that "the Chinese regime illegally harvests vital body organs for sale without consent from Falun Gong practitioners of conscience."
State of Maine
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eight
Joint Resolution Expressing Support for the Human Rights Torch Relay
Whereas, the Chinese communist regime has been granted the honor of hosting the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with the provision that the nation improve its treatment of Chinese citizens; and
Whereas, human rights violations have increased in China since this honor was granted; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime imprisons millions of Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, Falun Gong, democracy advocates, labor organizers, lawyers, journalists, environmental activists, political dissidents and other innocent citizens in slave labor camps without trials; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime illegally harvests vital body organs for sale without consent from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime continues to occupy Tibet and attempts to erase the cultures of Tibetans and Muslim Uighurs; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime forces women to get abortions, even in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, to enforce the "once child per family" rule; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime supports the dictatorships in Sudan, Burma, Zimbabwe and North Korea in perpetuating slaughter upon their citizens; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime prohibits freedom of religion, and those who practice their faith and beliefs in underground churches are arrested, imprisoned and persecuted; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime prohibits freedom of speech, controls the population with private and public surveillance and censors information on the Internet; and
Whereas, the Chinese regime prohibits freedom of the press and imprisons more journalists and reporters than any other country in the world; and
Whereas, the Olympic Charter calls for the Olympic Games to represent "respect for universal fundamental ethical principles" and "the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity." It states that : "Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or other reason is inconsistent with membership in the Olympic Movement"; and
Whereas, the Human Rights Torch Relay is an international campaign that seeks to bring an end to all human rights abuses against the people of China and is dedicated to ending human rights abuses by the Chinese communist regime, to reestablish the mandate of the Olympic Charter and to preserving the true Olympic Spirit; now, therefore, be it
Resolved: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, declare our support for the Human Rights Torch Relay campaign and proclaim April 2008 to be Human Rights Torch Relay Month; and be it further
Resolved: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be displayed at the office of the Secretary of State on behalf of the people of Maine.
House of Representatives Read and Tabled Pending Adoption Unfinished Business February 26, 2008
Subsequently, Adopted-Roll Call #219 (Yeas 102 - Nays 33 - Absent 16) February 28, 2008 Sent up for Concurrence Ordered Sent Forthwith
Millicent M. MacFarland Clerk of the House
In Senate Chamber Read and Adopted March 4, 2008 In Concurrence
Joy J. O'Brien Secretary of the State
Attest: Glenn Cummings Speaker of the House of Representatives
Attest: Beth Edmonds President of the Senate
Sponsored by: Rep. Richard J. Burns Of Berwick
Cosponsored By:
Sen. John M. Nutting of Androscoggin Rep. Timothy A. Carter of Bethel Rep. Alan M. Casavant of Biddeford Rep. Herbert E. Clark of Millinocket Rep. Patsy Garside Crockett of Augusta Rep Cynthia A. Dill of Cape Elizabeth Rep Sean Faircloth of Bangor Rep Charles William Harlow of Portland Rep Jon Hinck of Portland Rep Anne M. Rand of Portland Rep David G. Savage of Falmouth Rep Lawrence G. Sirois of Turner Rep Walter A. Wheeler, Sr. of Kittery President Beth Edmonds of Cumberland Sen. Richard A. Nass of York
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the seal of the State to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at Augusta, this sixth day of March, in the year two thousand and eight.
Matthew Dunlap Secretary of State
