[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1497 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1497

  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 23 
   through September 27, 2024, as ``National Hazing Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 2024

Mrs. McBath (for herself, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. 
   Swalwell, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Norton, and Ms. 
 McClellan) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
              the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 23 
   through September 27, 2024, as ``National Hazing Awareness Week''.

Whereas hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a 
        person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against a 
        student regardless of the willingness of that student to participate, in 
        connection with membership in an organization, and causes or is likely 
        to contribute to a substantial risk above the reasonable risk 
        encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher 
        education or the organization (such as the physical training necessary 
        for participation on an athletic team), of physical injury, mental harm, 
        or personal degradation;
Whereas 55 percent of college students involved in extracurricular clubs, 
        athletic teams, and organizations reported experiencing hazing;
Whereas a hazing prevention policy is vital to help shape expectations for safe 
        campus communities where healthy group behaviors, ethical leadership, 
        and feelings of positive well-being and belonging are fostered;
Whereas it is recommended that hazing prevention education is broad and includes 
        students, campus staff, administrators, faculty, alumni, and beyond;
Whereas hundreds of students have died as a result of collegiate hazing, 
        including Kristin High on September 9, 2002, Kenitha Saafir on September 
        9, 2002, Clay Warren on September 21, in 2002, Lynn Gordon ``Gordie'' 
        Bailey, Jr., on September 17, 2004, Matthew Carrington on February 2, 
        2005, Gary Louis DeVercelly, Jr. on March 30, 2007, Brett Griffin on 
        November 8, 2008, Harrison Kowiak on November 18, 2008, Michael Anthony 
        Smallwood Starks on November 21, 2008, Carson Leonard Starkey on 
        December 2, 2008, George Desdunes on February 25, 2011, Robert Darnell 
        Champion on November 19, 2011, Robert Eugene Timpton, Jr., on March 26, 
        2012, David R. Bogenberger on November 2, 2012, Marvell Edmonson on 
        April 20, 2013, Jauwan Holmes on April 20, 2013, Marquise Braham on 
        March 14, 2014, Dalton Debrick on August 24, 2014, Tucker W. Hipps on 
        September 22, 2014, Nolan M. Burch on November 14, 2014, Timothy J. 
        Piazza on February 4, 2017, Max Gruver on September 14, 2017, Andrew 
        Coffey on November 3, 2017, Alexander Levi Rainey Beletsis on June 20, 
        2018, Nicky Cumberland on October 30, 2018, Collin Wiant on November 12, 
        2018, Noah Domingo on January 12, 2019, Bea Castro on March 17, 2019, 
        Justin King on September 14, 2019, Antonio Tsialas on October 24, 2019, 
        Samuel Martinez on November 12, 2019, Adam Jeffrey Oakes on February 27, 
        2021, Stone Justin Foltz on March 7, 2021, Lofton Hazelwood on October 
        18, 2021, and Luke Tyler on January 22, 2023;
Whereas students have suffered severe, life-altering injuries as a result of 
        collegiate hazing, including Danny Santulli on October 19, 2021; and
Whereas hazing has a lasting, harmful, and deadly impact, and preventing hazing 
        must be prioritized: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Hazing Awareness 
        Week'';
            (2) acknowledges hazing prevention is not limited to a 
        single week of awareness but is an ongoing commitment; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        National Hazing Awareness Week through promoting hazing 
        awareness and prevention.
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