2 H.L.C. racy, tolerance and full civil and political rights for Muslims and those of all faiths; Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commenced at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the following: That the House of Representatives (1) recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; (2) expresses friendship and support for Muslims in the United States and worldwide; (3) acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion; (4) rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide; and (5) commends Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam 4 H.L.C. Amend the title so as to read: "A resolution recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and expressing respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion, and for other purposes.". IV 110TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 651 Recognizing the warm friendship and expanding strategic relationship between the United States and Brazil, commending Brazil on successfully reducing its dependence on oil by finding alternative ways to satisfy its energy needs, and recognizing the importance of the March 9, 2007, United States-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on biofuels cooperation. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEPTEMBER 17, 2007 Mr. ENGEL (for himself and Mr. BURTON of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the warm friendship and expanding strategic relationship between the United States and Brazil, commending Brazil on successfully reducing its dependence on oil by finding alternative ways to satisfy its energy needs, and recognizing the importance of the March 9, 2007, United States-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on biofuels cooperation. Whereas following the oil shock of the early 1970s, Brazil chose to reduce its energy vulnerability by choosing sugar-based ethanol to diversify its energy sector and power its automobiles; 2 Whereas with large private and public investments and support from the World Bank, Brazil greatly expanded the amount of sugarcane it produced and began large-scale construction of alcohol distilleries to process sugar into ethanol; Whereas decades of state investment have helped Brazil become the world's largest consumer and producer of ethanol from sugar cane; Whereas ethanol supplies 40 percent of the motor fuel used in Brazil and is extremely competitive with gasoline; Whereas the transition towards biofuels will have a positive impact on the environment and will help reduce greenhouse gases; Whereas by the end of 2006, 80 percent of new car sales in Brazil were flex-fuel, meaning that they can run on ethanol, gasoline, or any mixture of both; Whereas Brazil stands out as the leading example of a coun try that has diversified its energy supply and become a net exporter of energy, in large part by increasing its use and production of alternative energy sources, including ethanol; Whereas putting the United States on a path toward ending its addiction to oil, as Brazil has done, by investing in clean alternative energy sources is essential in protecting United States national security, the environment, and the stability of the United States economy; Whereas, on March 9, 2007, the United States and Brazil— the world's two largest ethanol producing countries— signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote greater cooperation on ethanol and biofuels in the Western Hemisphere; |