This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Nonviolence Week to raise awareness of youth violence and the benefits of practicing nonviolence principles.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 611 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 611
Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Nonviolence Week'' to
raise awareness of youth violence in the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 1, 2019
Mr. Lewis (for himself and Mr. Ryan) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Nonviolence Week'' to
raise awareness of youth violence in the United States.
Whereas teaching youth the practice of nonviolence may encourage a more peaceful
society and promote principles of mutual respect, unity, dignity, and
equality;
Whereas the practice of nonviolence has been instrumental in promoting unity,
safety, and equal rights in various movements across the globe;
Whereas the impact of the civil rights movement, particularly in the Southern
United States, continues to serve as an example of the power of
nonviolence philosophy and how it may be used to create change;
Whereas the Sojourn to the Past program annually takes high school students to
the historic locations of the civil rights movement, teaching them how
the practice of nonviolence influenced the civil rights movement by
mitigating discrimination, violence, hatred, bigotry, and inequity in
schools and communities across America;
Whereas students visit historic sites in Atlanta, including the Martin Luther
King National Historical Park, where students are able to learn about
the life of Dr. King and his impact on American history;
Whereas Atlanta served as an epicenter during the civil rights movement, and
other Southern cities such as Selma, Birmingham, Jackson, Montgomery,
and Nashville also have historic monuments and sites relevant to the
civil rights movement;
Whereas the goal of the Sojourn to the Past program is to inspire students to
become civic leaders with a duty and ability to unite people in their
communities in equality and justice through knowledge, understanding,
and compassion;
Whereas the Sojourn to the Past program has afforded participating students with
a life-changing experience and serves as a catalyst for them becoming
activists and applying nonviolence principles throughout their lives and
professions;
Whereas the Youngstown Sojourn to the Past students successfully petitioned the
Youngstown School Board, the Youngstown City Council, and the Youngstown
State University trustees to declare the first week in October each year
to be Nonviolence Week;
Whereas the Sojourn to the Past program has afforded participating students with
a life-changing experience by allowing them to visit the American South
and serves as a catalyst for them to become activists and apply
nonviolence principles throughout their lives and professions;
Whereas youth violence is becoming increasingly common in American society, the
practice of nonviolence may serve as a tool to dismantle egregious acts
such as school shootings and other forms of mass shootings, bullying,
and the continued violence plaguing American communities;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in this
resolution referred to as the ``CDC''), youth violence is common, and
nearly one in five high school students reported being bullied on school
property in the last year;
Whereas, according to the CDC, youth violence results in considerable physical,
emotional, and economic consequences;
Whereas, according to the CDC's nationwide Youth Risk Behavior Survey, about 6
percent of students had been threatened or injured with a weapon on
school property one or more times during the 12 months before the
survey;
Whereas youth violence can significantly inhibit a child's access to education
and their ability to feel safe, secure, and confident in an academic
environment;
Whereas sexual violence on college campuses is a pervasive issue plaguing the
American education system and impacts both men and women;
Whereas hostility toward homosexuality and gender nonconformity continues to
plague gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth and adults in the
United States;
Whereas gun violence is an issue that continues to impact all Americans, with
one-third of gun deaths being homicides and hundreds of mass shootings
occurring annually;
Whereas thousands of Americans have died as a result of gun violence and
families have been impacted by egregious acts of gun violence and youth
have been particularly vulnerable to its impact in their schools;
Whereas the practice of nonviolence is one that may be beneficial to people of
all age groups, and beneficial to American society overall in combating
increased violence and loss of life in our society; and
Whereas the principle of nonviolence has been a core philosophy of many
successful social change movements: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Nonviolence
Week'' to raise awareness of youth violence in the United
States and the benefits of practicing nonviolence principles;
and
(2) encourages the people of the United States, State and
local officials, middle schools and high schools, law
enforcement agencies, and other interested groups to observe
National Nonviolence Week with appropriate programs and
activities that promote awareness and prevention of youth
violence.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
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