In the Senate of the United States,

October 26 (legislative day, September 22), 2000.

Resolved, That the resolution from the House of Representatives (H.J. Res. 102) entitled ‘‘Joint resolution recognizing that the Birmingham Pledge has made a significant

contribution in fostering racial harmony and reconciliation in

the United States and around the world, and for other purposes.’’ do pass with the following

AMENDMENTS:

Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert:

1 That—

2 (1) Congress recognizes that the Birmingham

3 Pledge is a significant contribution toward fostering

4 racial harmony and reconciliation in the United

5 States and around the world;

6 (2) Congress commends the creators, promoters,

7 and signatories of the Birmingham Pledge for the

8 steps they are taking to make the United States and

9 the world a better place for all people; and
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1 (3) it is the sense of Congress that a particular

2 week should be designated as ‘‘National Birmingham

3 Pledge Week’’.

Strike out the preamble and insert:

Whereas Birmingham, Alabama, was the scene of racial strife

in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s;

Whereas since the 1960s, the people of Birmingham have made

substantial progress toward racial equality, which has improved the quality of life for all its citizens and led to economic prosperity;

Whereas out of the crucible of Birmingham’s role in the civil

rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, a present-day

grassroots movement has arisen to continue the effort to

eliminate racial and ethnic divisions in the United States

and around the world;

Whereas that grassroots movement has found expression in the

Birmingham Pledge, which was authored by Birmingham

attorney James E. Rotch, is sponsored by the Community

Affairs Committee of Operation New Birmingham, and is

promoted by a broad cross section of the community of

Birmingham;

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge reads as follows:

‘‘I believe that every person has worth as an individual.

‘‘I believe that every person is entitled to dignity and

respect, regardless of race or color.

‘‘I believe that every thought and every act of racial

prejudice is harmful; if it is in my thought or act, then

it is harmful to me as well as to others.
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‘‘Therefore, from this day forward I will strive daily

to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.

‘‘I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every

opportunity.

‘‘I will treat all people with dignity and respect; and

I will strive to honor this pledge, knowing that the world

will be a better place because of my effort.’’;

Whereas commitment and adherence to the Birmingham Pledge

increases racial harmony by helping individuals communicate in a positive way concerning the diversity of the

people of the United States and by encouraging people to

make a commitment to racial harmony;

Whereas individuals who sign the Birmingham Pledge give evidence of their commitment to its message;

Whereas more than 70,000 people have signed the Birmingham

Pledge, including the President, Members of Congress, Governors, State legislators, mayors, county commissioners,

city council members, and other persons around the world;

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge has achieved national and

international recognition;

Whereas efforts to obtain signatories to the Birmingham Pledge

are being organized and conducted in communities around

the world;

Whereas every Birmingham Pledge signed and returned to Birmingham is recorded at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham, Alabama, as a permanent testament

to racial reconciliation, peace, and harmony; and

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, the motto for which is ‘‘Sign

It, Live It’’, is a powerful tool for facilitating dialogue on

the Nation’s diversity and the need for people to take per-
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sonal steps to achieve racial harmony and tolerance in

communities: Now, therefore, be it

Attest:

Secretary.
106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 102

AMENDMENTS