IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 191 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as ‘‘National 

Leading Entertainment and Arts through Diversity Month’’ or ‘‘National 

LEAD Month’’, and empowering underrepresented communities to take 

the lead within the entertainment industry. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 1, 2023 

Ms. CLARKE of New York (for herself, Ms. BARRAGA ́N, Ms. MENG, and Mr. 

CASTRO of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 

as ‘‘National Leading Entertainment and Arts through 

Diversity Month’’ or ‘‘National LEAD Month’’, and empowering underrepresented communities to take the lead 

within the entertainment industry. 

Whereas there should be more minority representation on and 

off the screen, and in main decision-making roles that advance equity across industries; 

Whereas marginalized communities are defined as communities who experience discrimination and exclusion on the 

basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or identity, age, 

and ability; 


SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 191 IH 

Whereas oftentimes, these sectors are erased from conversations, yet their distinctive perspectives and lived experiences become the basis for more authentic storytelling; 

Whereas women only make up roughly 20 percent of directors 

and 26 percent of screenwriters; 

Whereas all minority groups make up 25 percent of directors 

and 25 percent of screenwriters; 

Whereas White film directors are more than twice as likely 

as minority directors to helm a film with a budget of 

$100,000,000 or more; 

Whereas roughly 18 percent of films produced by major studios feature LGBT+ stories; 

Whereas women over 30 make up 29 percent of female characters and women over 40 make up 16 percent of female 

characters; 

Whereas 12 percent of television series characters are disabled, and most portrayals are negative; 

Whereas it is critical to recognize the social and cultural impact of diversity on television and the ramifications of 

underrepresentation; 

Whereas allyship campaigns and programs are pivotal to the 

success of diversity programs, and yet are currently undervalued in diversity, equity, and inclusion training; 

Whereas diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are 

impactful tools for establishing and maintaining a diverse 

and motivated workforce; 

Whereas 69 percent of executives rate diversity and inclusion 

as an important issue; 


SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 191 IH 

Whereas corporations identified as more diverse and inclusive 

are 35 percent more likely to outperform their competitors; 

Whereas diverse management teams lead to 19 percent higher revenues; and 

Whereas adequate representation on television has been overlooked for far too long, and, regardless of industry, we 

must remain dedicated to inclusion: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses support for the designation of 

3 ‘‘National Leading Entertainment and Arts through 

4 Diversity Month’’; 

5 (2) supports the purposes and ideals of Na6 tional Leading Entertainment and Arts through Di7 versity Month, which emphasizes the importance of 

8 increased representation across the industry; 

9 (3) promotes efforts to increase allyship aware10 ness campaigns among individuals and organizations 

11 in the United States, specifically within the enter12 tainment industry; 

13 (4) champions diversity, equity, and inclusion 

14 programs, including but not limited to, implicit-bias 

15 training, common ground training, facilitated con16 versation, cultural sensitivity, community engage17 ment, and antioppression training in the entertain18 ment industry; 


SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS
4 

•HRES 191 IH 

1 (5) supports partnerships with organizations fo2 cused on increasing diversity by providing 

3 mentorship, granting scholarships, and committing 

4 to creating change; and 

5 (6) encourages the people of the United States 

6 to observe National Leading Entertainment and 

7 Arts through Diversity Month with appropriate 

8 awareness programs and campaigns for underrep9 resented communities in the entertainment industry. 

Æ 


SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS