[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 183--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
             ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL WORDS CAN HEAL DAY

  Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Daschle, Mr. 
Lieberman, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. McCain, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. 
Johnson, Mr. Levin, and Ms. Mikulski) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 183

       Whereas the Jerusalem Fund has launched a Words Can Heal 
     Campaign on September 4, 2001, to reduce verbal violence and 
     gossip and to promote the value and practice of ethical 
     speech in order to improve our democracy, build mutual 
     respect, honor, and dignity in our country;
       Whereas words used unfairly, whether expressed through 
     excessive anger, unfair criticism, public and private 
     humiliation, bigoted comments, cruel jokes, or rumors and 
     malicious gossip, can traumatize and damage many lives;
       Whereas an unwillingness or inability of many parents to 
     control what they say when angry causes the infliction of 
     potentially damaging verbal abuse on children;
       Whereas bigoted words are often used to dehumanize entire 
     religious, racial, and ethnic groups, and can inflame 
     hostility;
       Whereas the spreading of negative often unfair, untrue, or 
     exaggerated, comments or rumors about others often inflicts 
     irrevocable damage on the victim of such rumors:
       Whereas the Words Can Heal Campaign will raise awareness 
     regarding the damage that can be caused by destructive 
     language; and
       Whereas, the Senate supports the goals of the Words Can 
     Heal Campaign: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate--
       (1) the Senate supports the goals of the Words Can Heal 
     Campaign; and
       (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
     the people of the United States to support the goals of such 
     campaign with appropriate programs and activities.

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