H.Con.Res.183: Condemning the recent rash of arson against African-American churches across the United States, pledging to assist law enforcement authorities in apprehending the persons responsible for such acts of arson, supporting bipartisan legislation which would facilitate the prosecution of arsonists and create more severe penalties for arson against houses of worship, and encouraging the people of the United States to work in their communities to prevent future acts of arson against African-American churches.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 11, 1996

Condemns the rash of arson against African-American churches across the United States during the past 18 months. Pledges to take steps to assist law enforcement authorities in apprehending the persons responsible. Supports the bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Conyers and Hyde to facilitate the prosecution of, and increase penalties against, arsonists who target houses of worship. Encourages the people of the United States to work within their own communities to prevent arson against African-American houses of worship.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Clayton, Eva M. [D-NC-1] · D–NC

Committees

Judiciary Committee

121 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 12, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6189)
Jun 11, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 11, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6125)
Jun 11, 1996
Introduced in House
Jun 11, 1996
Introduced in House
Jun 10, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6092-6093)

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jun 11, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Con.Res.183 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.183, 104th Congress: Condemning the recent rash of arson against African-American churches across the United States, pledging to assist law enforcement authorities in apprehending the persons responsible for such acts of arson, supporting bipartisan legislation which would facilitate the prosecution of arsonists and create more severe penalties for arson against houses of worship, and encouraging the people of the United States to work in their communities to prevent future acts of arson against African-American churches.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/183

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hconres183/BILLS-104hconres183ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Con.Res.183 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Con.Res.183 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.183, 104th Congress: Condemning the recent rash of arson against African-American churches across the United States, pledging to assist law enforcement authorities in apprehending the persons responsible for such acts of arson, supporting bipartisan legislation which would facilitate the prosecution of arsonists and create more severe penalties for arson against houses of worship, and encouraging the people of the United States to work in their communities to prevent future acts of arson against African-American churches.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/183

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hconres183/BILLS-104hconres183ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.183 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Con.Res.183 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.183, 104th Congress: Condemning the recent rash of arson against African-American churches across the United States, pledging to assist law enforcement authorities in apprehending the persons responsible for such acts of arson, supporting bipartisan legislation which would facilitate the prosecution of arsonists and create more severe penalties for arson against houses of worship, and encouraging the people of the United States to work in their communities to prevent future acts of arson against African-American churches.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/183

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hconres183/BILLS-104hconres183ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.183 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Con.Res.183 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Con.Res.183, 104th Congress: Condemning the recent rash of arson against African-American churches across the United States, pledging to assist law enforcement authorities in apprehending the persons responsible for such acts of arson, supporting bipartisan legislation which would facilitate the prosecution of arsonists and create more severe penalties for arson against houses of worship, and encouraging the people of the United States to work in their communities to prevent future acts of arson against African-American churches.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/183

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hconres183/BILLS-104hconres183ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:32:43Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Con.Res.183 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.