28-MAR 06:12 Usa: il Congresso chiede a Bush una giornata di digiuno e preghiera per le truppe americane
WASHINGTON - Il Congresso degli Stati Uniti ha approvato una mozione per chiedere al presidente Bush di proclamare una giornata nazionale di digiuno e di preghiera in favore delle truppe americane impegnate in guerra, e della popolazione minacciata dal terrorismo internazionale. Il provvedimento e' passato alla Camera dei Rappresentanti con 346 voti favorevoli, 49 contrari e 23 astensioni. (Agr)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...=615&ncid=1478
House Calls for a Day of Prayer on War
Thu Mar 27, 5:13 PM ET By Joanne Kenen
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives called on Thursday for a rare national day of prayer and fasting to secure divine blessings for U.S. troops at war in Iraq and protection for Americans from terrorism.
The non-binding resolution, approved by a vote of 346 to 49, urged President Bush (news - web sites) to designate a day.
A few members voted for the measure even though they said they found it a little too theological. Twenty-three lawmakers voted present, indicating a measure of discomfort. A "present" vote in the House is broadly equivalent to an abstention.
"I am a little troubled that we would presume to tell the American people what they should do to secure the blessings and protections of Providence," said Rep. Ted Strickland, an Ohio Democrat who nonetheless voted in favor.
He said he hoped lawmakers would do as they recommended their constituents-- fast and pray -- and shun fundraisers where food was being served as well as close the House dining room on any date Bush might set.
Another Ohio Democrat, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, said the measure might be viewed "as an attempt to inject religion into this war at a time when some of America's enemies abroad are asserting that this is indeed a war about religion."
Kucinich, who is seeking his party's presidential nomination, has been an outspoken critic of the war.
Bush, who often talks of the role his Christian faith plays in his life, has repeatedly said the conflict is with President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) and not with the people of Iraq or the wider Arab and Muslim world.
The text of the resolution noted four previous occasions when an American president has called a day of fasting and prayer, most recently in 1863 during the Civil War.
The resolution recognized "the public need for fasting and prayer in order to secure the blessings and protection of Providence for the people of the United States and our armed forces."
The House also voted 419-0 on a resolution expressing support for U.S. troops and Iraqi-held prisoners of war.
The Senate voted unanimously on a resolution praising countries that have sent troops or expressed support for the U.S.-led war on Iraq. Senators also voted 97-0 on a bill to provide tax breaks worth $1.1 billion for military personnel on home sales and travel costs.




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