[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 396 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 396

 Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence and encouraging 
  units of local government, States, and school districts to protect 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, teachers, and school 
             employees from discrimination and harassment.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 25, 2004

  Mr. Engel (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Pallone, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. 
    Farr, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Olver, Mr. 
 Delahunt, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Holt, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Towns, 
 and Mr. Andrews) 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 and encouraging 
  units of local government, States, and school districts to protect 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, teachers, and school 
             employees from discrimination and harassment.

Whereas the 2003 Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network National School 
        Climate Survey illustrates the pervasive harassment and victimization of 
        lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students 
        reported that they have been verbally harassed by their peers because of 
        their sexual orientation and gender identity;
Whereas nearly 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students 
        reported that they have been physically assaulted by their peers because 
        of their sexual orientation and gender identity;
Whereas more than 75 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students 
        reported that faculty and staff rarely or never intervene when 
        harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals 
        occurs;
Whereas nearly 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students 
        reported that they missed at least one entire school day in the 
        preceding month because they felt unsafe;
Whereas 42 States do not have laws to protect lesbian, gay, and bisexual 
        students from discrimination or harassment that occurs at school;
Whereas 47 States do not have laws to protect transgender students from 
        discrimination or harassment that occurs at school;
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 the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, in partnership with 
        the United States Student Association, has designated April 21, 2004, as 
        ``the Day of Silence'', a day on which participating students vow to 
        remain silent for a full day to bring attention to the harassment and 
        discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 
        students, teachers, and school employees;
Whereas more than 200,000 students in nearly 2,000 elementary, junior high, and 
        high schools participated in the 2003 Day of Silence; 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 unit of local government and State to 
        adopt laws to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 
        students, teachers, and school employees from discrimination 
        and harassment; and
            (4) encourages each school district in the United States to 
        adopt policies to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
        transgender students, teachers, and school employees from 
        discrimination and harassment.
                                 <all>