FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 28

91^ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2298L.01I

Whereas, President Bush's initiative to create a new White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives will allow community and faith-based organizations to play a critical role in helping and providing services in our nation's poorest and most at-risk communities; and

Whereas, the President's initiative establishes an important principle that government can play a partnership role in helping our state and nation become a more civil society, but it does not have to be the only partner; and

Whereas, the state of Missouri enjoys a long history of community outreach by churches, synagogues, and various faith-based and community-based groups that answer the call and provide effective aid to persons in crisis; and

Whereas, many faith-based and community-based groups have demonstrated impressive results by creating an environment where people in crisis can have their lives restored through moral challenge and spiritual renewal; and

Whereas, the President's proposal gives the state of Missouri the opportunity to more efficiently coordinate the efforts of faith-based and community-based groups, and address the needs and improve the lives of people in this state who are in crisis; and

Whereas, the appointment of a liaison for the state of Missouri to receive and distribute information regarding federal and state faith-based and community-based initiatives, and the establishment of a task force to develop goals and objectives to guide the implementation and improvement of federal and state faith-based and community-based initiatives is an important step in fulfilling the goal of faith-based and community-based initiatives:

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-first General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that an "Office of the Faith-based and Community-based Initiatives Liaison" be established within state government and the governor shall appoint a current employee of the state to serve as the liaison between the state of Missouri and the federal government for receipt and distribution of information regarding any federal or state faith-based and community-based initiatives; and

Be it further resolved by the members of the General Assembly that a "Task Force on Faith-based and Community-based Initiatives" be established within state government to develop goals and objectives to guide the implementation and improvement of federal and state faith-based and community-based initiatives. The task force shall develop a comprehensive plan of action with strategies for increasing faith-based and community-based initiative opportunities in the state. The task force shall be comprised of twenty-one members as follows:

(1) Seven members appointed by the governor;

(2) Seven members appointed by the president pro tem of the senate, at least two of which shall be members of the Missouri senate, one from each political party; and

(3) Seven members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, at least two of which shall be members of the Missouri house of representatives, one from each political party.

All members of the task force who are not members of the general assembly shall be leaders in faith and of community groups from around the state. The task force shall meet at least quarterly, and shall submit its recommendations to the office of the faith-based and community-based initiatives liaison, the governor and the general assembly by July first of each year. Members of the task force shall receive no additional compensation but shall be eligible for reimbursement for expenses directly related to the performance of task force duties; and

Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for Governor Bob Holden.

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