IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 126 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence with respect to discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 

individuals in schools. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 23, 2007 

Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. FARR, Mr. HOLT, Mr. STARK, 

Mr. PALLONE, Mr. MEEHAN, and Mr. MCNULTY) submitted the following 

concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 

and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence with 

respect to discrimination and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in 

schools. 

Whereas the Day of Silence is a day on which students take 

a vow to remain silent for a full day in order to bring 

attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by 

lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in 

schools, including students, teachers, and other school 

staff; 


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•HCON 126 IH 

Whereas the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, 

in partnership with the United States Student Association, has designated the third Wednesday of every April 

as the Day of Silence; 

Whereas more than 500,000 students from more than 5,000 

junior and high schools participated in the Day of Silence 

in 2006; 

Whereas the 2005 Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education 

Network National School Climate Survey illustrates the 

pervasive harassment and victimization of lesbian, gay, 

bisexual, and transgender students; 

Whereas more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 

transgender students have been verbally harassed at 

school by their peers because of their sexual orientation 

or gender expression; 

Whereas nearly 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 

transgender students were physically harassed by their 

peers because of their sexual orientation or gender expression; 

Whereas nearly 20 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 

transgender students were physically assaulted by their 

peers at school because of their sexual orientation or gender expression; 

Whereas almost 41 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and 

transgender students reported that faculty and staff 

never intervene when homophobic language is used in 

their presence; 

Whereas almost 29 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 

transgender students reported missing at least one entire 

school day in the last month because they felt unsafe; 


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•HCON 126 IH 

Whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who 

experienced high levels of verbal harassment because of 

their sexual orientation are more likely to report that 

they did not plan to attend college than youth who never 

or rarely experienced such harassment; 

Whereas unchecked harassment and discrimination based on 

sexual orientation and gender expression has a negative 

impact on student academic performance such that grade 

point averages are a half grade lower than for other students; 

Whereas 39 States do not have laws protecting lesbian, gay, 

bisexual and transgender students from discrimination or 

harassment that occurs at school because of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and 

Whereas every child should be guaranteed an education free 

from discrimination and harassment regardless of their 

sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; Now, 

therefore, be it; 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That the Congress— 

3 (1) supports the goals and ideals of the Day of 

4 Silence; 

5 (2) requests that the President issue a procla6 mation calling on the people of the United States to 

7 observe the Day of Silence with appropriate cere8 monies, programs, and activities; and 

9 (3) encourages each city and State to adopt 

10 laws to prohibit discrimination and harassment 

11 against students, teachers, and other school staff reVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:37 Apr 27, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC126.IH HC126

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•HCON 126 IH 

1 gardless of their sexual orientation and gender iden2 tity and expression so that our schools are institu3 tions where all individuals are able to focus on learn4 ing. 

Æ 


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