Whereas, Community of Christ is a worldwide church dedicated to the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit; and

Whereas, According to Jimmy Carter, a former U.S. President, and Jennifer Smith Stepanek, Mattie J.T. Stepanek’s mother, the late peace activist and poet Mattie J.T. Stepanek spoke about and pursued peace all the days of his young life through his “Heartsongs” poetry (Reflections of a Peacemaker) and as he continues to impact the world through Just Peace: A Message of Hope that was published after he died on June 22, 2004; and

Whereas, In response to the World Trade Center tragedy he wrote a 9/11 anniversary composition proposing a true World Trade Day that would annually occur on September 11, hoping that people around the world would find some way to trade something significant with someone else. This act of kindness and sharing could help unite people with each other, and spread the message of hope and peace around the planet. This new World Trade Day could foster relations between and among people of all ages and nationalities and beliefs. In commemorating this tragic event in a way that promotes positive growth, we can move beyond our anger and fears without forgetting the truth of the past. By celebrating World Trade Day with a respectful and future-oriented attitude, we are paying the highest honor to those who suffered on September 11, 2001, and we are planting seeds of peace for all those who will live through the future of September 11 each year; therefore, be it

Resolved, That Community of Christ designate September 11 as World Trade Day throughout the church in honor of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and the victims of the 9/11 tragedy and seek to implement his proposal throughout the world as we continue in our pursuit of peace.