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.