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Resolution Number: 1985-D024
Title: Oppose the Strategic Defense Initiative Known As "Star Wars"
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 68th General Convention:

  1. Express its opposition to President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative known popularly as "Star Wars"; and
  2. Request members of Congress to withhold funds for study of the feasibility of this proposed "umbrella" that some contend could be built to remove the threat of nuclear war; and
  3. Direct the Secretary of this Convention to communicate this Resolution to the President of the United States, to the members of Congress, and to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and to the National Academy of Sciences.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General Convention, 1986), p. 177.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D024)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 68th General Convention:

  1. Express its strongest opposition to President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative known popularly as "Star Wars"; and
  2. Request members of Congress to withhold funds for study of the feasibility of this proposed "umbrella" that some contend could be built to remove the threat of nuclear war; and
  3. Direct the Secretary of this Convention to communicate this Resolution to the President of the United States, to the members of Congress, and to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 68th General Convention:

  1. Express its strongest opposition to President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative known popularly as "Star Wars"; and
  2. Request members of Congress to withhold funds for study of the feasibility of this proposed "umbrella" that some contend could be built to remove the threat of nuclear war; and
  3. Direct the Secretary of this Convention to communicate this Resolution to the President of the United States, to the members of Congress, and to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and to the National Academy of Sciences.

[On the fourth day] the Committee moved the adoption of Resolution D024 (Star Wars) as amended by the Committee.

Deputy McGonigle of Texas presented the Committee Minority Report expressing opposition to the adoption of D024.

A motion was made to table the motion.

Motion to table defeated

A motion was made to terminate the debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

There was a voice vote on D024. To ascertain the results, the Chair asked for a division. The tally showed 524 yes votes.

The Chair declared that a majority voted yes.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #81)

[On the fifth day] Deputy Price of West Texas moved reconsideration of D024 (Star Wars).

General Ralph E. Haines, Jr., Deputy from West Texas, presented a minority report concerning the Resolution from the Committee on National and International Affairs [sic].

A vote was taken to reconsider D024.

Motion defeated

House of Bishops

On the fifth day, the following message was received from the House of Deputies:

HD Message #81: D024 Amended, Star Wars--Strategic Defense Initiative.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #104)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 11.

Abstract:   The 68th General Convention expresses opposition to President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative.