Environment: Remembering Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita
Resolved,
the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 75th General Convention offer its continued prayers
for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and be it
further
Resolved,
That the Convention express deep appreciation and thanks for
all Episcopalians who have offered prayers, support and contributed
financial and material assistance to all those affected by the
hurricanes; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Convention express deep appreciation and thanks to
the bishops, diocesan staffs, and congregations of the diocese
of the Central Gulf Coast, Louisiana, Western Louisiana,
Mississippi and Texas for the Gulf Coast diocesan staffs
as they continue to minister to the congregations and individuals
of their diocese; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Convention encourage Episcopalians to continue to
press the federal government to meet its commitments for the rebuilding
of the Gulf Coast. ; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Convention recognize that the widespread presence
of potentially toxic substances poses an immediate health risk
to returning residents and cleanup workers; and that unsafe disposal
of hazardous materials or burning waste will impact human and
environmental health; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Convention support the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast communities
in a manner that supports racial and economic justice which are
racially and economically diverse, and rebuilt in an environmentally
sustainable manner; and be it further
Resolved,
That we recognize
that the Gulf Coast Hurricanes are not catastrophes isolated to
a subsection of God’s world, but are tragedies that have
touched and will continue to touch all of God’s creation,
and that poverty and environmental degradation exists in every
community in our nation; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Convention challenge Episcopalians to be reminded
that across the country and around the world, our lifestyles often
produce silent destruction and undermine the health of marginalized
communities; and be it further
Resolved,
That as Christians, we are called to act on our beliefs and
to work for justice and peace for all of God’s creation and
that these actions include personal actions, congregational action,
and public witness with policy makers.
NOTE: The struck text is now contained in Resolution B034.
Explanation:
The death, destruction and environmental
degradation in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf of Mexico region
brought to light the need for a renewed covenant of community. The
wind and waters that battered the Gulf States stripped away our
collective blindness to the plight of the poor and marginalized
among us and awakened us anew to the challenges faced in environmental
racism. We were reminded of our dependence on God's creation and
recognize that too often our lifestyle choices despoil the Earth
and expose communities to greater harm and environmental threats.
(quoted from the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program's
resource: Through the Eye of a Hurricane: Rebuilding Just Communities)
Submitted by
- Ms. Martha S. Gardner (Newark)
NOTE:
This resolution was acted on by at
least one House but it did not complete the entire legislative
process before Convention adjourned. This resolution did not become
an act of Convention and is considered rejected although D098
gave the Secretary of General Convention authority to refer this
resolution to the Executive Council or to a CCAB (Commissions,
Committees, Agencies and Boards).
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