Recognizing the achievements of Operation Respect and the "Don't laugh At Me" programs.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased that the House of Representatives today is considering my resolution to honor the outstanding program that is working with school districts, camps, teachers, and students across America to promote the healthy social and emotional development of children.

I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) for his cosponsorship of this legislation and for his own strong support of Operation Respect. The gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) was responsible for arranging for Peter Yarrow to visit the Republican Conference last year to talk about this program and to sing some of the songs, an achievement that deserves recognition in the House as well.

I also want to thank my cosponsors for their support of this resolution, particularly the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), who is a strong supporter of character education programs in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill in recent years.

Lastly, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and his staff for their assistance in having this resolution placed before the House expeditiously.

Most of us here are familiar with the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' program. Last year, its founder and tireless advocate, Peter Yarrow of the legendary trio Peter, Paul and Mary, spoke to both the Republican Conference and the Democratic Caucus about the necessity for, and the success of, this program. Many of us have seen him as he has appeared before dozens of school boards, teacher organizations, parents groups throughout this Nation promoting sound emotional development and tolerance among our children.

We are all painfully aware of the images, language and experiences of children that assault their self-esteem, their attitudes toward others and their sense of compassion and tolerance. From bullying in the schoolyards to the lyrics of many popular songs, to the violence in film and news broadcasts, young children in our society, and adults too, are assaulted by messages and images of intolerance, brutality, victimization, and bias. Any reasonable person must be concerned about the impact of those values on these young children, now and throughout their lives. And we were concerned that they be taught alternative values that help us build closer personal relationships and stronger communities.

Fortunately, there are efforts and institutions that are effectively promoting positive values and respect, tolerance and understanding and compassion. Our churches and synagogues play that role. Programs like Head Start and after-school programs and sports and cultural experiences heavily influence children as well.

The character education programs that this Congress has been funding in recent years have similarly made great contributions.

One of the innovations enjoying great popularity and success and which we honor today by the passage of this

resolution is Operation Respect. Through the diligent efforts of Peter Yarrow and many educators, psychologists and advocates that work with him, Operation Respect has conducted over 230 workshops throughout the Nation reaching over 18,000 educators in 27 States. Tens of thousands of copies of its professionally developed curriculum have been distributed to teachers in after-school programs and camp operators and others who are similarly committed to making a difference in the lives of these children. Teachers love this program and have given it their strong endorsement. And today we should add the United States House of Representatives to that list saluting this great effort on behalf of America's children and America's best values.

Lastly, I would like to note that Steve Seskin, the composer of the song ``Don't Laugh At Me,'' which has inspired Mr. Yarrow's efforts, is a resident of my congressional district. Mr. Seskin is a very highly respected composer and recording artist as well in the folk and country venues; and in this case his music has helped to inspire a movement that is having dramatic and beneficial effects on millions of young Americans. And I appreciate the support of all Members of this House on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased that the House of Representatives today is considering my resolution to honor an outstanding program that is working with school districts, camps, teachers and students across America to promote the health social and emotional development of children.

I want to thank Duke Cunningham for his co-sponsorship of this legislation and for his own strong support for Operation respect. Congressman Cunningham was responsible for arranging for Peter Yarrow to visit the Republican Conference last year to talk about this program and sing a few songs, and that achievement deserves the recognition of the House as well.

I also want to thank my other co-sponsors for their support for this Resolution, and particularly, Mr. Obey for his strong support of character education programs and the Labor-HHS appropriations bill in recent years.

Lastly, my thanks to Chairman John Boehner and his staff for their assistance in having this Resolution placed before the House expeditiously.

Most of us are already familiar with the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' program. Last year, its founder and tireless advocate, Peter Yarrow of the legendary trio Peter, Paul and Mary, spoke to both the Republican Conference and the Democratic Caucus about the necessity for, and the success of, this program.

Many of us have seen him as he has also appeared before dozens of school boards, teacher organizations, parent groups and others throughout the nation promoting sound emotional development and tolerance among out children.

We all are painfully aware of the images, language and experiences of children that assault their self-image, their attitudes towards others, and their sense of compassion and tolerance. From bullying in school yards to the lyrics of many popular songs to violence in film and news broadcasts, young children in our society--and adults, too--are assaulted by messages and images of intolerance, brutality, victimization and bias. Any reasonable person must be concerned about the impact of those values on these young people now and throughout their lives, and we are concerned that they be taught alternative values that help us to build closer personal relationships and stronger communities.

These concerns have great immediacy. Just last week, there was yet another example of terrible school violence. A study of school violence in California recently concluded that ``alienated and disaffected young people are escaping the attention of families, friends and teachers until they explode.'' Meanwhile, programs like boot camps, may enjoy public approval but consume huge amounts of money and do not have a record of success.

Fortunately, there are efforts and institutions that are effectively promoting positive values of respect, tolerance, understanding and compassion. Our churches and synagogues play that role; programs like Head Start and after-school programs and sports and cultural experiences heavily influence children as well. The character education programs that this Congress has been funding in recent years have similarly made great contributions.

One of the innovations that has enjoyed great popularity and success, and which we honor today by the passage of this resolution, is Operation Respect. Through the diligent efforts of Peter Yarrow and many other educators, psychologists and advocates who work with him, Operation Respect has conducted 230 workshops throughout the nation, reaching over 18,000 educators in 27 states. Tens of thousands of copies of its professionally-developed curriculum have been distributed to teachers, after-school programs, camp operators and others who are similarly committed to making a difference in the lives of these children.

As H. Res. 161 states, the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' program ``increases mutual respect and fellowship among hundreds of thousands of elementary school children, creating an environment for students that improves focus on their schoolwork and encourages social and emotional growth.'' Evaluations of the program have found overwhelming support for its message among teachers, parents and students alike, as well as increased tolerance and a reduction in such negative behaviors such as bullying.

Among professional educators and others, Operation Respect has enjoyed similar popularity. Operation Respect and the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' program has been recognized by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Association of School Administrators, the Council of Great City Colleges and Education, the National Education Association, the Council of Great City Schools, the American School Counselors Association, the National School Boards Association, the National Middle School Association, and the American Federation of Teachers.

Teachers love this program; here's a representative comments from a teacher in southwestern Virginia: Over the years I have used many approaches and programs, all of which have good points. ``Don't Laugh At Me'' encompasses all those strong points into one easy to use program. I've seen a difference in my class even though we have only used it for a few months. One of the biggest benefits is the dialog that comes from using the program. The kids love the CD and found the video to be very powerful. Now that I have had a chance to use ``Don't Laugh At Me'' and see its benefits, I will be doing a presentation to our staff about it. I guess I sound like a commercial, but I honestly loves this program!

Today, we should add the United States House of Representatives to that list saluting this great effort on behalf of America's children and America's best values.

Lastly, I would like to note that Steve Seskin, the composer of the song ``Don't Laugh At Me'' which inspired Mr. Yarrow's efforts, is a resident of my Congressional district. Mr. Seskin is a very highly respected composer and recording artist, well known in the folk and country venues, and in this case, his music has helped to inspire a movement that is having dramatic and beneficial effects on millions of young Americans.

I appreciate the support of all Members for this Resolution today.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank the gentleman for his remarks. The fact that he and I are working together on this, when we disagree on so many other issues, is in the spirit of this program. And as our great former Speaker, Tip O'Neill, used to say, you have to be able to disagree around here and not be disagreeable. I am working on that talent, but I have not achieved it yet. But this is in that spirit.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost).

(Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank the gentlewoman for her remarks, and to thank again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) for his help in getting this legislation to the floor; to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) for his cosponsorship and his support for this program; to our speakers this afternoon in support of this resolution; and the gentleman from Nevada for taking time out to bring this to the floor this afternoon under suspensions.

Finally, I want to thank my very long-time dear friend, Peter Yarrow, for all the time and the effort that he has taken on behalf of the children of this Nation to promote their healthy development and their emotional stability. He has reached out to so many people across this country and made them aware of this effort, of this need on behalf of our children. It is a wonderful gift that he has given to the children of this Nation, to the educators of this Nation, to caregivers in all different settings for our children, and I just really want to thank him for that effort. I am honored to sponsor this legislation, and I want to thank the House for giving us time to bring it to their attention and I ask my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and I quite often get in a rhubarb right here on the House floor on issues. This is one we agree on. And I am a hawk. I am a conservative. Well, maybe not a hawk, maybe a well-armed dove; but I was asked to go to an event and hear a man speak. And I said, Who is speaking? And they said, Peter Yarrow. And I said, Who is Peter Yarrow? And they said, You know, Peter, Paul and Mary. And I said, I am not going to go listen to that anti-war, left-wing guy. And I went. And I want to tell Members something. Coming from a conservative and a hawk, he is one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my life.

His heart is true. His politics are terrible. I would say extremely wrong. And I disagree with my colleague on tax rates, as well as with Peter Yarrow. But I want to say this: Peter Yarrow is doing this not for money but for the profound belief that there is a better way to reach out to children.

Maybe music does bring people together because I have another ``left wing'' friend in Steven Stills, as a matter of fact, I think he was one of the heads of the DNC and yet we are still good friends. Aviation brought us together and music brought us together as well.

Madam Speaker, I want to read something. This is the song ``Don't Laugh at Me,'' and I would like every single Member, and Madam Speaker, you too, to listen to this.

``I'm a little boy with glasses, the one they call a geek.'' Remember that in school? I do. ``A little girl who never

smiles cuz I got braces on my teeth and I know how it feels to cry myself to sleep. I am that kid on every playground, who's always chosen last.'' That was me. ``A single teenage mother trying to overcome her past. You don't have to be my friend if it's too much to ask. Don't laugh at me, don't call me names, don't get your pleasure from my pain. In God's eyes, we're all the same. Some day we'll all have perfect wings. Don't laugh at me.

``I'm a cripple on a corner, you pass me on the street. I wouldn't be out here begging if I had enough to eat. And don't think I don't notice that our eyes never meet. I lost my wife and little boy when someone crossed that yellow line. The day we laid 'em in the ground was the day I lost my mind.''

And the song goes on and on, Madam Speaker. Peter Yarrow's idea is that maybe in Columbine, where one of the worst things we did was we took the young men that knew about the young man that went in and killed a bunch of students was arrested, and they drove him out further, but Peter Yarrow's idea is that we are all the same yet we are all different.

I look at Gary Condit on this House floor. Many of us tried to befriend Gary Condit. Think about how he must have felt. I think we need to think about those kinds of things as individuals when we see people that are outside. In our major military institutions, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, we will find each year that someone takes a dive off the top of a building. They have found that in most cases the individual has isolated themselves away from the rest of his group.

Maybe in Columbine, instead of the young men that had been ostracized from their group, maybe if they had been brought back into the group, the suicides and things like Columbine maybe would not have happened.

Madam Speaker, this is endorsed by every major school institution we take a look at. When I went through POW training in Eglin Air Force Base, one of the things they showed us was that if someone was going over to the other side, the enemy side, instead of chastising that person, you reach out to bring them in, to bring them into your group, to make them feel whole. That is what this program does.

I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), and my Republican colleague for supporting this, as well as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), who is a good friend who knows Peter Yarrow very well, and I ask my colleagues, Madam Speaker, to support this.

This is about a program that I believe in and that is going to help not only children, but adults all over the United States.

Madam Speaker, I thank both the gentleman from Nevada and my colleague from California for offering this resolution in support of Operation Respect and the ``Don't Laugh at Me'' program. I feel so privileged to have not only heard the presentation, the incredible voice, and the power of Peter Yarrow, as the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) said, part of Peter, Paul and Mary group, sing this, but the way that it resonates in one's heart when you hear it, and I am sure in the minds of school children who welcome the words of tolerance and respect that are in this song written by Steve Seskin.

The program is to create the sound emotional development, the personal growth, the physical safety of our children, to promote antibullying and compassion and tolerance among children. The gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) began to read some of the lyrics that are in this song, and we can just picture that wonderful voice of Peter Yarrow, so let me once again add a few more words in this song.

``Don't laugh at me, don't call me names, don't get your pleasure from my pain. In God's eyes we're all the same. Some day we'll all have perfect wings. Don't laugh at me. I'm fat, I'm thin, I'm short, I'm tall, I'm deaf, I'm blind. Hey aren't we all. Don't laugh at me. Don't call me names. Don't get your pleasure from my pain. In God's eyes we're all the same. Some day we'll all have perfect wings. Don't laugh at me.''

In 2002, Operation Respect began shifting its strategy from making presentations to a lot of these educational organizations to fostering systemic and sustainable implementation of its own programs as well as long-term comprehensive character education and social and emotional learning by opening State affiliates around the country. Now there are affiliates in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, where I am from, and Ohio.

In Illinois, it is headed up by this wonderful woman, Flora LeZar, who was Executive Director of Operation Respect. She is helping, and I am working with them, to set up this program in Illinois identifying supporters in and around Chicago. And we are now in discussions with Columbia College's Office of Community Arts Partnerships, as well as an Evanston-based, that is my hometown, arts and education foundation, the Shanti Foundation, to partner in the implementation of ``Don't Laugh at Me'' in several Chicago public schools.

I am looking forward to one of the schools in my district, an elementary school called Boone School, we are hoping that that school will have the benefit of the don't laugh at me program.

Finally, let me just say this. Our world today is so marked by mistrust, where there is so much intolerance around the globe and here at home as well; a failure to really understand each other's cultures. In a country like the United States of America, which is

so wonderful because of its diversity, because we have so many people and children with different values that come to our public schools, that is our strength. But we need to help develop an appreciation of that in our children. It prepares them to be adults and leaders in a world that embraces diversity, that understands the differences among people and then can work to bring us all together for a world of peace and harmony.

So this is more than just a little program or one song, this is a philosophy of education and really a philosophy about the way that all of us should live our lives. So I congratulate Peter Yarrow and Operation Respect and the ``Don't Laugh at Me'' program. I am just happy to be able to support this resolution and to be part of advancing this effort.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 161) recognizing the achievements of Operation Respect, the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' programs, and Peter Yarrow, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 161.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H. Res. 161, which commends Operation Respect, the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' programs' efforts to provide character education.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) for their efforts to draw attention to the importance of character education programs in our schools.

In 2001, Congress recognized the importance of character education programs like Operation Respect when we passed the No Child Left Behind Act. This landmark legislation contains the partnerships in character education program that provide grants for character education programs that emphasize academic achievement and focuses on elements such as citizenship, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.

As some may know, Operation Respect is a nonprofit organization that assists schools, after-school programs, and summer camps in their efforts to create safe and respectful environments for students and teachers. Specifically, Operation Respect utilizes music and video, along with a conflict-resolution curriculum, to help address the problems of bullying and teasing among elementary and middle school youth.

Operation Respect also recognizes the importance of professional development by offering workshops designed to provide educators with the tools that they need to effectively implement character education programs. In fact, over 18,000 teachers have participated in 230 ``Don't Laugh At Me'' workshops in 27 States throughout the United States.

I would also like to commend Operation Respect for their efforts to leverage the private sector support for their programs. Through the cooperative efforts of community-based organizations, schools, and the private sector, students are better able to understand the importance of acting responsibly and treating one another with respect.

Again, I am pleased to recognize the achievements of Operation Respect and the ``Don't Laugh At Me'' programs, and I urge that Members support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), a prior member of our committee.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was not able to speak on behalf of H. Res. 161, Recognizing the Achievements of Operation Respect and the ``Don't Laugh at Me'' program, when it was debated and passed by the House of Representatives on Monday, April 28, 2003.

I strongly support H. Res. 161 and the work of the Operation Respect program and its founder, Peter Yarrow. Operation Respect and its ``Don't Laugh at Me'' program is engaged in a national effort to transform after-school programs and children's summer camps into more compassionate and respectful environments. The ``Don't Laugh at Me'' program addresses the issues of emotional and physical violence among children. It helps to prevent bullying and promotes compassion and tolerance among children.

Operation Respect and its ``Don't Laugh at Me'' program has been presented at over 200 workshops for children in after-school programs and children's camps. Over 18,000 educators in 27 states have received training materials and curriculum to increase mutual respect and fellowship and create an environment for children that focuses on their schoolwork and promotes social and emotional growth.

Peter Yarrow, the musician and social activist, who is a member of Peter, Paul, and Mary created the ``Don't Laugh at Me'' initiative. Peter, himself, has appeared before over 240 educational organizations in over 36 states on behalf of Operation Respect.

Peter Yarrow is a talented, compassionate man with a lifelong message of humanity and caring. We have had the joy of working together on several occasions. Through his music, Peter has addressed numerous social and political causes, none more significant than Operation Respect: ``Don't Laugh at Me.'' This man, whose songs have had the power to stir social consciousness and effect change, is passionately dedicated to developing an environment of safety, respect, and tolerance in American schools.

So it is with great pleasure that I join my fellow Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to recognize the work of Peter Yarrow and this outstanding program, which has the enthusiastic support of educators and school children alike.