Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to recent church burnings.

Summary

Condemns the burning of African-American churches. Sends condolences to affected individuals. Supports the activities of local law enforcement officials, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Treasury in investigating these incidents. Urges: (1) the United States Attorney General and local prosecutors to seek the maximum penalty available under law to punish the perpetrators; and (2) the President to make the fullest possible use of all available law enforcement resources to bring the culprits to justice. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) attacks on places of worship because of the race, color, denomination, or ethnicity of the congregation undermine fundamental American ideals; (2) these fires appear to be hate crimes and implicitly interfere with the First Amendment and other civil rights of the victims; (3) the arson of a place of worship is repulsive to us as a society; and (4) it is important that the Congress enact legislation to ensure that Federal law enforcement has the necessary tools to punish and deter such acts. Encourages: (1) the people of the United States to work within their own communities to prevent arson against African-American or any other house of worship; and (2) American citizens to observe a national week of prayer beginning June 16, and ending June 23, 1996, in their places of worship.

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Documents

7 official files

• Referred in Senate (text)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 20 June 1996

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• Referred in Senate (PDF)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 20 June 1996

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• Agreed to House (text)

  Agreed to House · EN · 13 June 1996

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• Agreed to House (PDF)

  Agreed to House · EN · 13 June 1996

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• Engrossed in House (text)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 13 June 1996

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• Engrossed in House (PDF)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 13 June 1996

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 13 June 1996

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