[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 123 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 123

 Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence with respect to 
  discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
                  transgender individuals in schools.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 5, 2005

Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Owens, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Meehan, 
 Mr. Farr, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Norton, Mr. Delahunt, and Ms. Schakowsky) 
 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 with respect to 
  discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
                  transgender individuals in schools.

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 
        individuals 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 13, 2005, as 
        the Day of Silence;
Whereas more than 300,000 students from more than 3,000 junior and high schools 
        participated in the Day of Silence in 2004;
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 more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students 
        have been verbally harassed at school by their peers because of their 
        sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression;
Whereas in 2003, nearly 20 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 
        students were physically assaulted by their peers at school because of 
        their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression;
Whereas almost 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students 
        reported that faculty and staff never intervene when homophobic language 
        is used in their presence;
Whereas almost 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students 
        reported missing at least one entire school day in the last month 
        because they felt unsafe;
Whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who experienced verbal 
        harassment because of their sexual orientation at least some of the time 
        were twice as likely to report that they did not plan to attend college 
        than youth who never or rarely experienced such harassment;
Whereas unchecked harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and 
        gender identity or expression may have a negative impact on student 
        academic performance such that grade point averages may be significantly 
        lower;
Whereas 42 States do not have laws protecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual 
        students from discrimination or harassment that occurs at school because 
        of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression;
Whereas 47 States do not have laws protecting students from discrimination or 
        harassment because of their gender identity or expression when it occurs 
        at school;
Whereas every child should be guaranteed an education free from discrimination 
        and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or 
        expression; and
Whereas April 13, 2005, would be an appropriate day to observe the Day of 
        Silence: 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; and
            (3) encourages each city and State to adopt laws to 
        prohibit discrimination and harassment against students, 
        teachers, and other school staff on the basis that they are 
        lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered so that our schools 
        are institutions where all individuals are able to focus on 
        learning.
                                 <all>