[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 102 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. J. RES. 102


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 13, 2000

  Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            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, is an international symbol of the racial strife in 
        the United States in the 1950's and 1960's;
Whereas out of the crucible of Birmingham's role in the civil rights movement of 
        the 1950's and 1960's, a present-day grassroots movement, embodied in 
        the Birmingham Pledge, has arisen to continue the effort to eliminate 
        racial and ethnic divisions in the United States and around the world;
Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, authored by Birmingham attorney James E. Rotch, 
        sponsored by the Community Affairs Committee of Operation New 
        Birmingham, and promoted by a broad cross-section of the community, 
        increases racial harmony by helping individuals communicate in a 
        positive way concerning the Nation's diversity and by encouraging people 
        to make a commitment to racial harmony;
Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, signed by individuals as evidence of their 
        commitment to its message, 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 more than 70,000 people have signed the Birmingham Pledge, including the 
        President, Members of the Congress, State Governors, State legislators, 
        mayors, county commissioners, city council members, and other people 
        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 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 to facilitate 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) the Congress--
                    (A) recognizes that the pledge popularly known as 
                the Birmingham Pledge has made a significant 
                contribution in fostering racial harmony and 
                reconciliation in the United States and around the 
                world; and
                    (B) commends the people involved with the creation 
                of the Birmingham Pledge and signatories to the pledge 
                for the steps they are taking to make the Nation and 
                the world a better place for all people; and
            (2) it is the sense of the Congress that a National 
        Birmingham Pledge Week should be established.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 12, 2000.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.