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Resolution
on Surplus Food and the International Refugee Year, 1959
Mennonite Church (MC)
We who live in a land of abundant food, surroullded by great
agricutural surpluses, have uneasy consciences as we face the
fact that the majority of our fellow men in the world are underfed
and many at times are even confronted with starvation. Although
our brotherhood has engaged in relief programs which brought
food and clothing to peoples in many countries, we confess our
lack of sacrificial living in their behalf and pledge ourselves
anew to the service of humanity in the name of Christ. We support
in principle the measures before the Congress which would make
greater use of agricultural surpluses in feeding and clothing
the hungry and in raising the living standard around the world.
It is our concern that American gifts and loans be distributed,
not for political purposes, nor in a condescending spirit but
rather on the basis of human need, regardless of the race, creed,
or political views of the needy persons.
Through the years and especially in recent decades many Mennonites
have been refugees, and as a consequence we are in a position
to appreciate in part the tragedy still facing millions of homeless
people. Although our relief agency, along with many other organizations,
has assisted in the resettlement and rehabilitation of many refugees,
we realize that the task still to be done is enormous. In this
International Refugee Year we pledge ourselves to a renewed dedication
to the task of bringing hope to these unfortunate persons. We
urge that the laws and regulations of the United States dealing
with the immigration of these homeless ones be so liberalized
that a larger number may be admitted to this country yearly.
We urge the members of our brotherhood to share these concerns
with their fellow citizens and particularly with the President
and the members of the Congress. We pray that our country rnay
adopt such measures as will enable America to play an increasingly
larger role as a good neighbor in the family of nations.
Adopted by the Mennonite General Conference (MC),
at the Thirty-First Mennonite General Conference, August 25-27,
1959, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, Proceedings, pp.12-13.
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