PRINTER'S NO. 589
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 20 Session of 1979
INTRODUCED BY GOEBEL, LASHINGER AND POTT, MARCH 6, 1979
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 6, 1979
In the House of Representatives, March 6, 1979
WHEREAS, It is alleged that The Spirit Association for the
Unification of World Christianity, also known as the Unification
Church, and the following religious societies; Scientology, Children of God, International Society Krishna Consciousness, Divine Light Mission, Church of Bible Understanding, Council for Social Development, Neo-American Church and The Way International, may utilize improper mind control techniques in their recruitment and subsequent retention of members; and
WHEREAS, It is important to ascertain whether or not the
Unification Church or the other entities mentioned above recruit
and/or retain their membership by way of techniques which
undermine voluntary consent, involve the use of duress, interfere with free will or otherwise involve improper mind control practices; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary to determine whether the parents of
individuals who have become members of the Unification Church, and who are commonly referred to as "Moonies", or the other entities employ similar recruitment and/or membership retention
practices have adequate remedy under existing law to ascertain
whether or not such initial or continued membership is voluntary
and not the result of improper mind control techniques or other
forms of duress; and
WHEREAS, It is alleged that the Unification Church and the
other entities have engaged in improper and misleading fund-
raising practices and that such deceptive fund-raising is
facilitated by their alleged status as religious organizations; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary to determine whether the fund-
raising practices of the Unification Church and the other
entities are improper and misleading and, if so, whether
existing law adequately regulates or prohibits such conduct; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
appoint a select committee consisting of seven members, four
from the majority party and three from the minority party, to
study, investigate and report to the House on the recruitment
and membership retention techniques and fund-raising practices
of the Unification Church and the other entities alluded to in
the foregoing and the possible need for remedial legislation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That such select committee shall not conduct its
study or investigation so as to in any manner interfere with the
free exercise of religion and religious beliefs by members of
the Unification Church (commonly referred to as "Moonies") or by
the other entities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
testimony, and make its investigations at such places as it
deems necessary. It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal
of its chairman commanding any person to appear before it and to
answer questions touching matters properly being inquired into
by the committee and to produce such books, papers, records and
documents as the committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may
be served upon any person and shall have the force and effect of
subpoenas issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any
person who willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the
committee or to produce any books, papers, records or documents, shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the committee shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committee; and be it further
RESOLVED, That within thirty calendar days after the
committee has made its report, the chairman of the committee
shall cause a record of all expenses incurred by the committee, or the members thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth expense, to be filed with the Speaker of the House and the Speaker shall cause the same to be entered into the journal thereof. No expenses incurred by the committee or any member thereof shall be reimbursable by the Chief Clerk unless such expense shall first have been included as an expense item in the record heretofore required; and be it further