IV 

108TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 161

Recognizing the achievements of Operation Respect, the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At 

Me’’ programs, and Peter Yarrow. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 25, 2003

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California (for himself, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Mr. OBEY, 

Mr. FROST, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Ms. WOOLSEY, 

Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. WU, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. HOLT, Mr. BOSWELL, Ms. 

SCHAKOWSKY, and Mr. MOORE) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the achievements of Operation Respect, the 

‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ programs, and Peter Yarrow.

Whereas Operation Respect is a non-profit organization engaged in a national effort to transform after-school programs and children’s summer camps into more compassionate and respectful environments through its ‘‘Don’t 

Laugh At Me’’ program materials that address the issues 

of emotional and physical violence among children; 

Whereas Operation Respect has conducted 230 workshops, 

reaching over 18,000 educators in 27 states and distributing 50,000 copies of its professionally-developed curriculum; 
2

•HRES 161 IH 

Whereas Peter Yarrow, musician, member of the musical 

group Peter, Paul and Mary, and social activist, created 

the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ initiative and has appeared before over 240 educational organizations in 36 states on 

behalf of Operation Respect, as well as before the Republican Conference and Democratic Caucus of the United 

States House of Representatives; 

Whereas the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ program increases mutual respect and fellowship among hundreds of thousands 

of elementary school children, creating an environment 

for students that improves focus on their schoolwork and 

encourages social and emotional growth; 

Whereas the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ camp programs have 

made the environment at summer camps safer and more 

secure for children by creating a greater sense of empathy, tolerance, and compassion; 

Whereas the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ programs have made a 

significant impact on schools and camps through a curriculum of character education and social and emotional 

learning; 

Whereas the overwhelming majority of students participating 

in a recent survey concluded that the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At 

Me’’ program was a valuable and beneficial experience 

and resulted in increased tolerance and acceptance by 

other students, a diminution of negative behaviors such 

as bullying, and increased openness and trust; 

Whereas counselors and campers alike who participated in 

the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ programs agreed that the programs were effective, enjoyable, and positively influenced 

the social and emotional growth of the children; 
3

•HRES 161 IH 

Whereas the success of Operation Respect and the ‘‘Don’t 

Laugh At Me’’ programs has been recognized by the National Conference of State Legislatures and major educational associations, including the National Association 

of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Association of School Administrators, the Council of Great 

City Colleges of Education, the National Education Association, the Council of Great City Schools, the American 

School Counselors Association, the National School 

Boards Association, the National Middle School Association, and the American Federation of Teachers; and 

Whereas the National Conference of State Legislatures 

passed a resolution on August 12, 2001, encouraging 

funding and other support from States for professional 

development of educators in this arena and recognizing 

the contributions of Operation Respect in advancing 

State legislative initiatives to expand social and emotional 

learning and character education programs: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That Operation Respect, the ‘‘Don’t Laugh 

2 At Me’’ programs, and Peter Yarrow are commended for 

3 their major contributions to the sound emotional develop4 ment, personal growth, and physical safety of children 

5 throughout the United States.

Æ