[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 86 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 86
Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2003
Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Towns, Ms. Slaughter, Ms. Lee, Mr. Lantos,
Ms. Woolsey, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, and Ms. Baldwin)
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence.
Whereas the Day of Silence is a day on which students take a vow to remain
silent for a full day in order bring attention to the harassment and
discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff;
Whereas the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, in partnership with
the United States Student Association, has designated April 9, 2003, as
the Day of Silence;
Whereas more than 150,000 students at more than 1,700 kindergarten through 12th
grade schools participated in the 2002 Day of Silence;
Whereas the 2001 Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network National School
Climate Survey illustrates the pervasive harassment and victimization of
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students;
Whereas more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students
have been verbally harassed by their peers because of their sexual
orientation and gender identity;
Whereas more than 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students
have been physically assaulted by their peers because of their sexual
orientation and gender identity;
Whereas more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students
report that faculty and staff rarely or never intervene when harassment
against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals occurs;
Whereas more than 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students
report missing at least one entire school day in the last month because
they feel unsafe;
Whereas unchecked harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and
gender identity or expression can hinder student achievement and have a
negative impact on student academic performance;
Whereas 42 States do not have laws protecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual
students from discrimination or harassment that occurs at school;
Whereas 47 States do not have laws protecting transgender students from
discrimination or harassment that occurs at school; and
Whereas every child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should
be guaranteed an education free from discrimination and harassment: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That the Congress--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence;
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States to observe the Day
of Silence with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and
activities;
(3) encourages each city and State to adopt laws to
prohibit discrimination and harassment against lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender students, teachers, and other school
staff; and
(4) encourages each school district in the United States to
adopt policies to prohibit discrimination and harassment
against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students,
teachers, and other school staff.
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