[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.
                                 <all>