[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1425 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1425
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 4, 2022
Ms. Williams of Georgia (for herself and Mr. Ryan of Ohio) 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 the United States;
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 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, as youth violence is becoming increasingly common in United States
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 United States
communities;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (in this
resolution referred to as the ``CDC''), youth violence is common, and
according to the CDC's Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, 12.5
percent of 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 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences
Survey, 4.6 percent of students had been threatened or injured with a
weapon on school property 1 or more times during the 12 months before
the survey;
Whereas youth violence can significantly inhibit a child's access to education
and his or her 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 4
out of every 10 of gun deaths being firearm homicides and hundreds of
mass shootings occurring annually;
Whereas thousands of Americans have died as a result of gun violence, 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 United States 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.
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