1.1A Senate resolution
1.2expressing the sense of the Senate to act as peacemakers.
1.3WHEREAS, the current pandemic, election, and violence have caused incredible amounts
1.4of pain, anger, tension, and distress at all levels of Minnesota life; and
1.5WHEREAS, the opinions and beliefs of Minnesotans vary tremendously on political, spiritual,
1.6and personal matters; and
1.7WHEREAS, people have a right to hold tremendously varying opinions and beliefs on
1.8political, spiritual, and personal matters; and
1.9WHEREAS, violence is not persuasive in changing those opinions and beliefs; and
1.10WHEREAS, expressing strongly worded comments and social media posts is also not
1.11persuasive in changing those opinions and beliefs; and
1.12WHEREAS, all people in Minnesota should feel safe in their homes and on the street, including
1.13the Governor and his family; and
1.14WHEREAS, it is key that elected leaders choose to find common ground and address the
1.15many compelling challenges facing the state and its people; and
1.16WHEREAS, people like Mother Theresa and many others have exemplified the practical
1.17application of Jesus' admonition of "blessed are the peacemakers"; and
1.18THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that we as a
1.19group of Minnesota leaders agree to act as peacemakers for the state and focus on what unites us
1.20and encourage others in Minnesota to do the same; and
1.21BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we embody the message in President Abraham Lincoln's
1.22words, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us
1.23to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds."
2.1BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we as Minnesota leaders chose to not say everything
2.2that could be said but rather lead by example to reduce the pain, anger, tension, and distress at all
2.3levels of Minnesota life.
2.4BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we as Minnesota leaders seek enough areas of agreement
2.5and commit to focusing on what is needed to accomplish the tremendous and extremely challenging
2.6tasks ahead of us in this legislative session.
2.7BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare a copy
2.8of this resolution, to be authenticated by his signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and
2.9Administration Committee.