(Editor’s Note: To some, eleven Republicans co-sponsoring the Gibson resolution to act on climate are merely stating obvious facts about the science of global warming, its impact on climate, and the need to take immediate action. Friends Committee on Legislation and Citizens Climate Lobby have both been supportive in developing the resolution and hope it will be a starting point toward the elimination of climate change denial in the Congress, and  the beginning of positive steps toward mitigating its causes. Following is the entire press release from FCNL).

On the eve of the Pope’s historic visit to Washington, a group of Republican lawmakers this week called upon Congress to commit to act to address changes in the climate, including efforts to balance the human impacts of climate change. The Friends Committee on National Legislation hailed the resolution introduced by Rep. Chris Gibson (NY-19) and ten other Republicans as the beginning of a new and more constructive spirit and dialogue in Congress about solutions to climate change.

“The Pope has called for a dialogue on how we care for the Earth. This resolution is the first step towards bipartisan conversations in the U.S. Congress about climate solutions, guided by principles of compassion, reconciliation, justice and stewardship,” stated Diane Randall, executive secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation. “We look forward to working with Rep. Gibson and other lawmakers to advance this conversation so that Congress can implement solutions for the sake of our common future.”

The 72-year-old Quaker lobby in the public interest has worked for nearly three years to build public support for an interfaith, moral call to conscience that centers on a non-partisan, Congressional resolution acknowledging dangers climate change poses to our common future and committing Congress to act. “We believe that bipartisan support is essential for Congress to act on climate change. This issue affects every person on the Earth,” explained Randall. “We’ve worked with Rep. Chris Gibson, Quakers and other faith and community groups around the country to build support for this resolution.”

“We will continue to mobilize faith communities across the country to support bipartisan, Congressional action on climate change,” she said. “As Quakers, we seek the Light of God within all people. FCNL began this grassroots moral call for action on climate change nearly three years ago, recognizing that all peoples – regardless of faith, party, race, age, or any other label – can and must be part of constructive dialogues and solutions to protect our shared Earth. People of faith have a special responsibility to transcend the partisan divides that have blocked Congressional action on this issue for so long. We are delighted to have contributed to this resolution, which commits the House to work constructively to create solutions, including efforts to balance human activities contributing to climate change.”

We are deeply grateful for the leadership shown by Reps. Gibson, Curbelo, Hanna, Stefanik, Fitzpatrick, Meehan, Ros-Lehtinen, Reichert, Dold, LoBiondo, and Costello. We support them in their efforts to address climate change in a bipartisan fashion.

~ The Friends Committee on National Legislation, the oldest registered religious lobby in Washington, is a non partisan Quaker lobby in the public interest. FCNL works with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from every state in the U.S. to advocate for social and economic justice, peace, and good government.