wfn.org | General Assembly gives green light to resolution denouncing racial

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #6716 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

slurs against Asian Americans
16-June-2001
GA01156

General Assembly gives green light to resolution denouncing racial slurs
against Asian Americans

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE, June 16 - Working late into the night Friday, the 213th General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) took the following action based
on recommendations from the Assembly Committee on National and Social
Issues:

* Approved a commissioners' resolution denouncing racial slurs against Asian
Americans. The resolution calls for the General Assembly to denounce all
such "racial slurs, stereotyping, and hate talk." It also calls for the
offices of the General Assembly Council to be instructed to reflect racial
justice and harmony in its overall programs. It also requests the stated
clerk to communicate this resolution to all synods and presbyteries, the
National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and to the president
of the United States.

* Approved a commissioners' resolution on full legalization for immigrants
in the United States and referred it to the Advisory Committee on Social
Witness Policy (ACSWP) with comment. It calls, among other things, for the
213th General Assembly to call publicly and openly on the federal government
to grant a full legalization program for immigrants in the United States;
direct the stated clerk to advocate for the passage of an immigrant bill
that brings about comprehensive immigration reform to laws and allows
immigrants who work and live in the United States to apply and receive
permanent U.S. residency status; urge presbyteries and synods to advocate
for the passage of the immigration bill with their respective members of
Congress; instructs Presbyterian Washington office to work with lawmakers to
develop appropriate immigration reform legislation.

* Defeated a commissioners' resolution with amendment and comment on the
recent federal tax reductions. It calls for the Assembly to condemn the
design of the recent reduction in federal taxes that "shift even more wealth
to the wealthiest few while ignoring the poorest";
applauds the opposition to these tax reductions expressed by a number of 
"our wealthiest Americans" in advertisement in major newspapers;
requests all Presbyterians to pledge their tax reductions to support the
general benevolence mission of their local church; requests the stated clerk
to advise leaders of Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other religious
communities with which the PC(USA) is joined in ecumenical relations of the
action and to request all people of faith to join the Presbyterian Church by
making similar pledges to their own congregations. It also requests the
stated clerk to invite all Americans, whether or not a part of a faith
community, to also offer their tax reductions to a charity of their choice.

* Approved (on Thursday) an overture, with amendment, to provide financial
assistance to Presbyterians who are pursing adoption. The overture calls
upon Assembly commissioners to direct the General Assembly Council to
establish within two years a special fund for adoption to which voluntary
contributions may be made by churches, individuals and others for the
purpose of providing financial assistance to those seeking to adopt a child,
and report to the General Assembly in 2003.

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