IIA

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 102

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

SEPTEMBER 13, 2000

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

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, is an international symbol of

the racial strife in the United States in the 1950’s and

1960’s;
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HJ 102 RFS

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

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

grassroots movement, embodied in the Birmingham

Pledge, has arisen to continue the effort to eliminate racial and ethnic divisions in the United States and around

the world;

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, authored by Birmingham

attorney James E. Rotch, sponsored by the Community

Affairs Committee of Operation New Birmingham, and

promoted by a broad cross-section of the community, increases racial harmony by helping individuals communicate in a positive way concerning the Nation’s diversity

and by encouraging people to make a commitment to racial harmony;

Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, signed by individuals as

evidence of their commitment to its message, 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.’’;
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Whereas more than 70,000 people have signed the Birmingham Pledge, including the President, Members of

the Congress, State Governors, State legislators, mayors,

county commissioners, city council members, and other

people 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 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 to facilitate 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

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That—

4 (1) the Congress—

5 (A) recognizes that the pledge popularly

6 known as the Birmingham Pledge has made a

7 significant contribution in fostering racial har8 mony and reconciliation in the United States

9 and around the world; and
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1 (B) commends the people involved with the

2 creation of the Birmingham Pledge and sig3 natories to the pledge for the steps they are

4 taking to make the Nation and the world a bet5 ter place for all people; and

6 (2) it is the sense of the Congress that a Na7 tional Birmingham Pledge Week should be estab8 lished.

Passed the House of Representatives September 12,

2000.

Attest: JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.