H. J. Res. 102

One Hundred Sixth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,

the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand

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.

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.

‘‘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,
H. J. Res. 102—2

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 personal steps

to achieve racial harmony and tolerance in communities: Now,

therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, That—

(1) Congress recognizes that the Birmingham Pledge is

a significant contribution toward fostering racial harmony and

reconciliation in the United States and around the world;

(2) Congress commends the creators, promoters, and signatories of the Birmingham Pledge for the steps they are taking

to make the United States and the world a better place for

all people; and

(3) it is the sense of the Congress that a particular week

should be designated as ‘‘National Birmingham Pledge Week’’.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.