Reps. Miller, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Ball, Brown, Clack, Condino, Cushingberry, Espinoza, Farhat, Farrah, Gillard, Gonzales, Hopgood, Kolb, Kathleen Law, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Mayes, McDowell, Murphy, Plakas, Polidori, Alma Smith, Spade, Vagnozzi, Waters, Zelenko and Gleason offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 291.

            A resolution to urge the President of the United States to work to bring about an immediate cease fire in Lebanon and the Gaza area to stop the killing of innocent civilians on all sides.

            Whereas, After tentative, hopeful signs over the recent past that a peace process could be implemented, the Middle East has erupted in violence. Kidnappings, rocket attacks, and ground operations have led to the most severe escalation of military action in more than 20 years; and

            Whereas, In a matter of days, hundreds of innocent civilians have lost their lives in south Lebanon, the Gaza strip, and Israel. Thousands more have suffered the loss of their homes, businesses, and stability, and hospitals are filled with seriously injured victims of all ages. Equally as frightening is the possibility that, if left unchecked, the actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel could extend to engulf the entire region in war. With the tensions that already exist in the Middle East, continuation of this armed conflict holds disastrous peril; and

            Whereas, With the complexity of the issues, history, and many entities involved, there is clearly a monumental task ahead to bring peace to the region. The first step in this challenge is to achieve an immediate cease fire to stop the killing of innocent civilians. The stakes, for our country, the entire Middle East region, and many other countries, are too high not to work tirelessly toward this end; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President of the United States to work to bring about an immediate cease fire in Lebanon and the Gaza area to stop the killing of innocent civilians on all sides; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the President of the United States.