[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H1506-H1507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1430
URGING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT EVENTS SUCH AS THE
``INCREASE THE PEACE DAY''
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 113) urging the House of Representatives to support
events such as the ``Increase the Peace Day.''
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 113
Whereas in order to promote non-violence, respect and
responsibility, the students of Challenger Middle School in
Lake Los Angeles, California, in conjunction with the Museum
of Tolerance in Los Angeles, hold each year an ``Increase the
Peace Day'' program on April 20; and
Whereas as part of the program, students signed the
following pledge:
``I will honor the memory of the victims of school violence
by committing myself to finding a peaceful solution to my own
conflicts with others.
``I will not hit another person for any reason.
``I will not threaten another person, even as a joke.
``I will report all rumors of violence to the nearest adult
and to all adults who will listen to me.
``I will smile at students I don't know when I make eye
contact.
``I will talk to my parents about what takes place in
school.
``I will remind myself and others that the diversity of the
United States is one of our main strengths.
``I will be aware that I have choices in life and that I am
responsible for my own actions.
``I will be considerate of other people and their feelings.
``I will not spread rumors.
``I will not call other people names that are hurtful to
them.
``I will help make the world a better place one smile at a
time.
``I will ask for help when I am confused or lonely.
``I will make others aware of these pledges in order to
spread this message of peace.
``I will take the responsibility as a citizen of this great
nation to make our country a more peaceful place by doing my
own part to Increase the Peace.'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives urges schools
across the United States to participate in similar ``Increase
the Peace Day'' events.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Stearns). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) and the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Solis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).
General Leave
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 113.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support H. Res.
113, which is an important resolution that urges the House of
Representatives to support ``Increase the Peace Day'' events throughout
the country.
Just last Friday, on April 20, students, teachers, parents and
community leaders from the Antelope Valley in my congressional district
held an ``Increase the Peace Day.'' This was the second ``Increase the
Peace Day'' and coincides with the anniversary of the Columbine High
School tragedy. The program featured the formation of a human peace
sign, presentations by representatives of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's
Museum of Tolerance and the granting of ``Increase the Peace'' awards
to youths who have prevented violence at their schools. One of the
highlights of the day was when the students signed an ``Increase the
Peace'' pledge, outlining how they could avoid similar acts of violence
on their campuses.
Among the promises in the pledge were to find a peaceful solution to
conflicts, to not hit another person, to not threaten another person,
to report all rumors of violence to an adult, to celebrate diversity,
and to seek help when feeling lonely or confused. I was proud to join
the other supporters of ``Increase the Peace Day'' and be a part of
this incredible event.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the
outstanding efforts of teacher Bruce Galler at Challenger Middle
School, who came up with the original idea for ``Increase the Peace
Day'' because he believes that something can and should be done. Bruce
uses a quote by Edward Everett Hale on literature to promote the event,
and I believe it illustrates what was accomplished on ``Increase the
Peace Day.'' The quote is as follows: ``I am only one, but I am one. I
cannot do everything, but I can do something. I will not let what I
cannot do interfere with what I can do.''
At the first ``Increase the Peace Day'' last year, I promised to
introduce a resolution in order to show that as one Member of Congress,
I can do something to highlight this important event, to encourage all
Americans to reject anger and hate, and to instead promote peace and
community.
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Bruce and his students for
hosting last week's events. The first event that they held last year
was at Challenger Middle School and included the students from
Challenger. This year they expanded it to include the whole community,
and students were bused from many schools around the area. It was an
exciting event.
At the end of the event, when the different resolutions had been
presented, the students all came onto the field and formed this large
peace symbol, and we had a helicopter from the local Marine base that
flew over and took pictures of the event. It was exciting and a great
thing to be part of.
It was wonderful to see what the youth did do of a positive nature.
We hear so often of the negative things and we do not hear of the
positive events, and there are many great wonderful, positive events
happening around this country.
In closing, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution
and to encourage their own local communities to institute a similar
program.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
McKeon).
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a subject close to my heart,
and that is promoting tolerance and diversity. I commend the gentleman
from California (Mr. McKeon) for introducing House Resolution 113,
which urges us to recognize events such as
[[Page H1507]]
``Increase the Peace Day,'' which promotes the kind and thoughtful
treatment of all people.
As adults, we have a responsibility to show our children the
importance of compassion and tolerance. It is up to us to set an
example for all of our young people to show them how to consider other
people's feelings and how to be respectful of different points of view.
We must take time to listen to our children and teach them to
appreciate those who are different from us. Our children must learn
that there is strength in diversity.
My home State of California and my congressional district are
incredibly diverse, and I am proud to say that, where we have many
Hispanic Americans, we have Asian Americans, and different people from
all walks of life. Over 72 different languages are spoken and taught
within our schools there. I cannot imagine Los Angeles or California
without the incredible mix of people and backgrounds that we have. The
State just would not be the same.
In addition to embracing our diversity, we must also teach our
children how to solve conflicts peacefully. In a country as diverse as
ours, there are bound to be differences of opinion. It is important
that we teach young people how to express those differences without
violence.
Many schools are already working to promote the benefits of diversity
and the importance of peaceful conflict resolution. We know this is
necessary because so many children across America dread going to school
because of the harsh social pressures that they face simply by being
themselves. Some students cannot talk to others for fear of being
chastised by their peers. They feel embarrassed if they do not have the
right clothes on or right colors or right shoes. If parents and schools
work together, we can help young people feel good about themselves and
show compassion for others.
A simple smile, a warm greeting, open communication, these are the
things that help us live together peacefully. We must educate our
parents about the importance of communicating one-on-one with their
children, setting a good example, and promoting tolerance. Programs
which help parents communicate with their children will truly be a good
step in the right direction.
In Los Angeles, we have seen the tragedy of violent crimes committed
against people simply because of the color of their skin. It is my hope
that conflict resolution and parental involvement will help prevent
this sort of tragedy in the future. If we can teach people when they
are still young to embrace diversity and resolve their differences
peacefully, we will increase our Nation's strength and unity.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to also support this resolution and
support events like ``Increase the Peace Day.''
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman
from California for yielding me this time. I also want to commend the
gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for introducing this resolution.
It seems to me that this resolution is an indication that we can, in
fact, learn behavior. I have always been told that people have a
tendency to learn what they live and live what they learn, and if we
begin to focus seriously on conflict resolution, on the development of
peaceful approaches to finding solutions to problems that people might
have, then I think we can seriously reduce violence, and I think we can
create for ourselves a saner, better world in which to live.
So I want to commend the University of Illinois for its violence
prevention efforts and programs, the Chicago public school system, and
also Prevention Partnership, a local community organization, and a
program called Hands Without Guns, where children are taught that there
are other things that they can do with their hands than put a gun in
them. If one always has something else in one's hands, then, of course,
there is no room for a gun.
So I commend all of those, once again, who would promote this
approach to curbing violence in our society.
Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support for the resolution.
Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would just conclude by also providing my
support and urging other Members to support this House resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for their
comments and for their support on this issue. I have no further
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 113.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________