Body
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution is the supreme law of our nation and this body has full confidence in its ability to endure all tests; and
WHEREAS, many immigrants came to the United States to escape government-sanctioned persecution of their faith; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh City Council believes that any law which is designed to restrict the liberty of one faith tradition erodes the founding principles of religious liberty and separation of church and state and that it is, as James Madison wrote in 1785, proper to "take alarm" at any such "experiment on our liberties"; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a history of embracing individuals' right to practice the faith tradition of their choice within the law and free from government interference; and
WHEREAS, a multiplicity of religious beliefs, traditions, and heritages brings strength to our city and state and it is not the role of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any state to disparage or marginalize any faith tradition; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh benefits from a number of individuals and institutions whose faith motivates them to provide food to the hungry, shelter to the needy, inexpensive or free health services, and other humanitarian works; and
WHEREAS, religious leaders who facilitate conflict resolution often achieve judicially-sanctioned results that ease the burdens on our courts.
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, that our city welcomes all religious beliefs, traditions, and heritages; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reject House Bill 2029 as unnecessary and inconsistent with our core constitutional principles.