Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 106
04/01/2014 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB127 | |
| HJR32 | |
| HB216 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 127 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 32 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 32-PROTECTION OF CHRISTIAN SYRIANS
8:46:28 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business was HOUSE
JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32, Urging the United States government to
take decisive and concrete action to require the release of
Mother Pelagia Sayaf, the orphans she cares for, and Bishops
Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi; and urging the United States
government to condemn violent acts of religious persecution and
bring a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Syria.
8:46:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HJR 32, Version 28-LS1532\N, Bullock,
3/21/14, as a work draft. There being no objection, Version N
was before the committee.
8:47:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, as
sponsor, presented HJR 32. He said Alaskans historically have
had a willingness to "live and let live," respecting the rights
of people to live and behave as their consciences dictate and
"tolerate those of other ethnic, cultural, and religious
backgrounds." Further, he said many Alaskans have a strong
connection to the Holy Land, comprising Israel, Egypt, Lebanon,
and Syria. He said it is the birthplace of Christianity; the
apostle Paul had his conversion in Syria on the road to
Damascus. He stated, "That's why Alaskans care about this area,
and that's the reason for this resolution." He said
constituents of his that work at the St. John's Orthodox Church,
in Eagle River, Alaska, brought the issue to his attention out
of concern for their fellow Christians in Syria. He said Syria
has been involved in civil war since 2011, with varying Muslim
sects, Al Qaeda factions, Jihadi groups, and Christians all
fighting each other. He said, "It's a mess; I couldn't ...
explain it if I tried."
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER opined that what is important is that
during the civil war, Christians and Christian churches appear
to have been the target of systematic attacks, during which
innocent women and children have been murdered, Christians have
been kidnapped, murdered, or forced to convert under pain of
death, and Christian churches are being "burned, desecrated, and
destroyed." He relayed that Christian Syrians make up
approximately 8 percent of the 22 million people in Syria, but
make up nearly 25 percent of the 2 million refugees of the civil
war and unrest. He said, "They're not safe no matter what side
they support, and many fear for their lives."
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said two bishops, Youhanna Ibrahim and
Boulos Yazigi, were kidnapped in Aleppo, Syria; Mother Pelagia
Sayaf and dozens of orphaned children in her care were kidnapped
from the Monastery of Saint Thecla in Maaloula. He said Mother
Sayaf and the orphans were released after three months of
captivity; however, the bishops and others remain in captivity,
and the destruction of churches continues.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER relayed that it has been said that all
that is required for evil to triumph is for good men and women
to do nothing. He said Alaskans could raise their collective
voices against the crimes in Syria. The proposed legislation
would call on the United States "to exercise our moral authority
and its diplomatic influence," in an effort to seek an end to
the atrocities occurring in Syria against people of faith and
their houses of worship.
8:49:51 AM
CHAIR LYNN said situations like the one in Syria make him
appreciate the freedom of religion in the U.S. He said he
thinks people sometimes take that for granted, but should never
do so.
8:50:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON thanked the sponsor for bringing forward
HJR 32. He remarked that it is one thing to have verbal
assault, but quite another to have deadly assault. He said,
"This is happening throughout the world, and this draws
attention." He indicated that the proposed joint resolution is
a fitting step in considering human rights, and he expressed his
hope that it would be a resounding message passed through [the
U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.]
8:50:52 AM
CHAIR LYNN ascertained that there was no one else who wished to
testify.
8:51:05 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
8:51:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report the proposed committee
substitute for HJR 32, Version 28-LS1532\N, Bullock, 3/21/14,
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHJR
32(STA) was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing
Committee.