[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 37 (Friday, March 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E459-E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     STATEMENT ON H.R. 998, THE ``STUDENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 11, 2011

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud cosponsor of the ``Student 
Non-Discrimination Act,'' SNDA, introduced today by my friend 
Congressman Jared Polis of Colorado.
  I commend Congressman Polis for his commitment to creating and 
fostering a safe educational environment for all students. The 
legislation we introduced today would assure equal protection for 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, LGBT, students.
  As an educator for over 30 years, I have witnessed firsthand the 
devastating impact bullying and harassment has on students emotionally, 
socially and academically. These problems are pervasive and persistent 
in our schools. The hostile environment created by harassment and 
bullying not only deprives students of the opportunity to receive a 
quality education, but also contributes to academic underachievement. 
Furthermore, bullying and harassment can, and have, led to life-
threatening violence and suicide, as evidenced by several nationally 
reported incidents including cases in New Jersey, Philadelphia, New 
York and across the United States.
  Existing federal civil rights statutes that address discrimination do 
not cover sexual orientation or gender identity, thus LGBT students are 
vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, and bullying. Furthermore, 
there is no recourse or legal protection when the rights of LGBT 
students are violated.
  The Student Non-Discrimination Act is a positive step toward 
achieving equal protection for LGBT students. It will do this by 
prohibiting discrimination in public school based on actual or 
perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. These steps will 
provide LGBT students a safe environment free from discrimination to 
learn and succeed in school.
  The SNDA has goals similar to legislation I supported as chair of the 
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus including the Safe Schools 
Improvement Act, which helps schools and school districts develop and 
improve anti-bullying and anti-harassment initiatives. We need all of 
this and much more, until our students are safe enough to study without 
the strain of discrimination or fear of bullying and harassment.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act 
and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
legislation to ensure that all our students have access to a quality 
education free from fear.

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