PRINTER'S NO. 528
No. 37 Session of 1977
INTRODUCED BY GOEBEL, TRELLO, ZEARFOSS, MEBUS, WILSON, NOYE,
ABRAHAM, FISCHER, REED, POTT, BUTERA, CESSAR, McCLATCHY,
FREIND AND LYNCH, MARCH 1, 1977
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MARCH 2, 1977
In the House of Representatives, March 1, 1977
1 WHEREAS, It is alleged that there are several organizations
2 in the Commonwealth whose activities may have a harmful effect
3 on the moral and cultural habits as well as the health of the
4 young people of the Commonwealth; and
5 WHEREAS, These organizations allegedly lure young people into
6 their movements by using mind control or mental manipulation and
7 coercion; and
8 WHEREAS, This alleged brainwashing and/or hypnosis results in
9 the destruction of an individual's abilities, liberties and
10 freedoms and the placement of young people in involuntary
11 servitude, without pay; and
12 WHEREAS, These organizations, by their alleged mental
13 suppression and subjugation of young citizens allegedly program
14 these young adults into a life of fund raising and solicitation
15 under the guise of freedom of religion exemptions and public
16 charities; and
17 WHEREAS, Sincere parents, family, and citizens of the
1 Commonwealth have expressed these grave concerns over the
2 activities of certain cults; therefore, be it
3 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
4 appoint a special task force committee existing of seven
5 members, four from the majority and three from the minority, to
6 study, investigate, and report to the House, on the activities
7 of the pseudo-religious cults in Pennsylvania and their effect
8 on the Commonwealth's citizens and the tax and fund raising
9 relationship of the cults to the Commonwealth; and be it further
10 RESOLVED, That the committee may hold hearings, take
11 testimony, and make its investigations at such places as it
12 deems necessary. It may issue subpoenas under the hand and seal
13 of its chairman commanding any person to appear before it and to
14 answer questions touching matters properly being inquired into
15 by the committee and to produce such books, papers, records and
16 documents as the committee deems necessary. Such subpoenas may
17 be served upon any person and shall have the force and effect of
18 subpoenas issued out of the courts of this Commonwealth. Any
19 person who willfully neglects or refuses to testify before the
20 committee or to produce any books, papers, records or documents,
21 shall be subject to the penalties provided by the laws of the
22 Commonwealth in such case. Each member of the committee shall
23 have power to administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses
24 appearing before the committee; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That within thirty calendar days after the
26 committee has made its report, the chairman of the committee
27 shall cause a record of all expenses incurred by the committee,
28 or the members thereof, which are payable at Commonwealth
29 expense, to be filed with the Speaker of the House and the
30 Speaker shall cause the same to be entered into the journal
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1 thereof. No expenses incurred by the committee or any member
2 thereof shall be reimbursable by the Chief Clerk unless such
3 expense shall first have been included as an expense item in the
4 record heretofore required; and be it further
5 RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings to the
6 General Assembly as soon as possible.
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