[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Con. Res. 255 Introduced in House (IH)] 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 255 Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 13, 2007 Mr. Ferguson (for himself, Mr. Crowley, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to preservation of religious and cultural sites and condemning instances where sites are desecrated. Whereas the Congress is committed to protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of all national, religious, and ethnic groups, including sacred sites of such groups, including cemeteries in the United States and abroad; Whereas the Holocaust annihilated much of Europe's Jewish population and in many countries, none were left to care for the communal properties that represent a historic culture in the area and constitute an integral part of the Jewish religion; Whereas the Holocaust and 45 years of atheistic, Communist governments created a critical need that led to the establishment of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; Whereas the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad is tasked with identifying and reporting on cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that are associated with the heritage of United States citizens and obtaining assurances from the governments of those regions that the properties will be protected and preserved; Whereas the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad has in effect over 20 bilateral agreements between the United States and foreign governments assuring the protection and preservation of cultural property; Whereas many properties continue to be endangered and many governments and communities continue to face fundamental and compelling challenges in the preservation of these properties; Whereas the Congress is outraged that news reports indicate construction continues within the boundaries of the historic Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania. Whereas cemeteries are sacred sites and are established to remain undisturbed in perpetuity, and the sanctity of a cemetery is determined by the bodies buried therein; Whereas, while vandalism of headstones or construction of a commercial building on the site disgraces the cemetery, it does not change its status; Whereas experts within Lithuania and from around the world community believe that the cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, is a Jewish cemetery and is therefore sacred ground; Whereas the Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, is known by scholars in Lithuania and around the world as the first Jewish cemetery in Vilnius and dates back to the 13th century, and it is believed that before the government closed the cemetery in the early 1800s, more than 50,000 Jews were buried there; Whereas the fact that the Government of Lithuania has allowed construction to take place at the Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, and that desecration continues into the 21st century is an affront to the international Jewish community, the American people, and everyone who values religious freedom and ethnic diversity around the world; Whereas the failure of the Government of Lithuania to protect the Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, violates the October 15, 2002, bilateral agreement between Lithuania and the United States on the protection and preservation of certain cultural properties, including cemeteries; and Whereas specifically, Article 1 of the bilateral agreement states: ``[E]ach party will take appropriate steps to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of all national, religious, or ethnic groups that reside or resided in its territory, including victims of genocide during the Second World War. The term `cultural heritage' for purposes of this agreement means . . . cemeteries, and memorials to the dead . . .'': Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-- (1) expresses strong support for the work of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad and for the European countries that continue to work to preserve sacred historical sites, despite ongoing challenges; (2) expresses strong sentiments to the Government of Lithuania that the people of the United States believe the Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, must not be further desecrated; (3) declares that constructive bilateral relations between Lithuania and the United States are important to the governments, citizens, and shared agendas of both countries; and (4) declares that if the Government of Lithuania fails to immediately stop construction and protect the Jewish cemetery located in the Snipiskes area of Vilnius, Lithuania, it will jeopardize its important relationship with the United States and its standing in the international community. <all>