[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 102 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.J.Res.102

                       One Hundred Sixth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
             the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand


                            Joint Resolution


 
     Recognizing that the Birmingham Pledge has made a significant 
   contribution in fostering racial harmony and reconciliation in the 
       United States and around the world, and for other purposes.

Whereas Birmingham, Alabama, was the scene of racial strife in the 
  United States in the 1950s and 1960s;

Whereas since the 1960s, the people of Birmingham have made substantial 
  progress toward racial equality, which has improved the quality of 
  life for all its citizens and led to economic prosperity;

Whereas out of the crucible of Birmingham's role in the civil rights 
  movement of the 1950s and 1960s, a present-day grassroots movement 
  has arisen to continue the effort to eliminate racial and ethnic 
  divisions in the United States and around the world;

Whereas that grassroots movement has found expression in the Birmingham 
  Pledge, which was authored by Birmingham attorney James E. Rotch, is 
  sponsored by the Community Affairs Committee of Operation New 
  Birmingham, and is promoted by a broad cross section of the community 
  of Birmingham;

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge reads as follows:
        ``I believe that every person has worth as an individual.
        ``I believe that every person is entitled to dignity and 
    respect, regardless of race or color.
        ``I believe that every thought and every act of racial 
    prejudice is harmful; if it is in my thought or act, then it is 
    harmful to me as well as to others.
        ``Therefore, from this day forward I will strive daily to 
    eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.
        ``I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every 
    opportunity.
        ``I will treat all people with dignity and respect; and I will 
    strive to honor this pledge, knowing that the world will be a 
    better place because of my effort.'';

Whereas commitment and adherence to the Birmingham Pledge increases 
  racial harmony by helping individuals communicate in a positive way 
  concerning the diversity of the people of the United States and by 
  encouraging people to make a commitment to racial harmony;

Whereas individuals who sign the Birmingham Pledge give evidence of 
  their commitment to its message;

Whereas more than 70,000 people have signed the Birmingham Pledge, 
  including the President, Members of Congress, Governors, State 
  legislators, mayors, county commissioners, city council members, and 
  other persons around the world;

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge has achieved national and international 
  recognition;

Whereas efforts to obtain signatories to the Birmingham Pledge are 
  being organized and conducted in communities around the world;

Whereas every Birmingham Pledge signed and returned to Birmingham is 
  recorded at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, 
  Alabama, as a permanent testament to racial reconciliation, peace, 
  and harmony; and

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, the motto for which is ``Sign It, Live 
  It'', is a powerful tool for facilitating dialogue on the Nation's 
  diversity and the need for people to take personal steps to achieve 
  racial harmony and tolerance in communities: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That--
        (1) Congress recognizes that the Birmingham Pledge is a 
    significant contribution toward fostering racial harmony and 
    reconciliation in the United States and around the world;
        (2) Congress commends the creators, promoters, and signatories 
    of the Birmingham Pledge for the steps they are taking to make the 
    United States and the world a better place for all people; and
        (3) it is the sense of the Congress that a particular week 
    should be designated as ``National Birmingham Pledge Week''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.