The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D109)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Episcopal Church:

1. Recognize the seriousness of the national crisis of toxic substance disposal and its increasing contamination of the nation's health;
2. Call on parishes and dioceses in areas affected by toxic waste disposal sites to provide a ministry of medical and social care and of community advocacy, for those afflicted by physical and family complications and community disruption caused by the contamination of the air and water due to toxic chemical substances;
3. Request the Presiding Bishop's Executive for National Mission in Church and Society to prepare a report for the Executive Council
   

   a) documenting the toxic substance disposal crisis;

   b) recommending appropriate public policy positions to be acted on;

   c) recommending programs and activities of advocacy and service that could be undertaken by parishes and dioceses to respond to the crisis;

4. Request the Executive Council to report through church media and to the 69th General Convention their response to this resolution.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Episcopal Church:

1. Recognize the seriousness of the national crisis of the industrial, agricultural and other pollution of the environment and the problem of toxic substance disposal with the and its increasing contamination affection of the nation's health;
2. Call on parishes and dioceses in areas affected by toxic waste disposal sites to provide a ministry support ministries of medical and social care, and of community advocacy, for those afflicted by physical and family complications and community disruption caused by the contamination of the air, soil and water due to toxic chemical substances such pollutants;
3. Recognize that industry, government and investors, along with consumers and taxpayers, have a moral responsibility and a self-interest to share inherent expenses of the solutions;
4. Request the Executive for National Mission in Church and Society to prepare a report for the Executive Council
   a) documenting the toxic substance disposal crisis;
   b) recommending appropriate public policy positions to be acted on studying the relationship between environmental concerns and our just stewardship as the covenant people of God;
   c) recommending programs and activities of advocacy and service that could be undertaken by parishes and dioceses to respond to the crisis;
5. Request the Executive Council to report through church media and to the 69th General Convention their response to this resolution.

Deputy Wittlinger of Michigan suggested an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

At the end of the first clause:

add "and the degradation of the environment."

The motion was accepted by the Committee.

Deputy McGonigle of Texas moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete "The Presiding Bishop's."

This motion was accepted by Committee.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #198)