IA
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. J. RES. 102
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.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 14, 2000
Mr. BACHUS (for himself and Mr. HILLIARD) introduced the following joint
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Recognizing that the Birmingham Pledge has made a signifi-
cant contribution in fostering racial harmony and rec-
onciliation 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;
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 ra-
cial and ethnic divisions in the United States and around
the world;
•HJ 102 IH
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, in-
creases racial harmony by helping individuals commu-
nicate in a positive way concerning the Nation’s diversity
and by encouraging people to make a commitment to ra-
cial 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 indi-
vidual.
‘‘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 ac-
tions.
‘‘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 more than 70,000 people have signed the Bir-
mingham Pledge, including the President, Members of
the Congress, State Governors, State legislators, mayors,
county commissioners, city council members, and other
people around the world;
•HJ 102 IH
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 commu-
nities 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 reconcili-
ation, 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
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That—
(1) the Congress—
(A) recognizes that the pledge popularly
known as the Birmingham Pledge has made a
significant contribution in fostering racial har-
mony and reconciliation in the United States
and around the world; and
(B) commends the people involved with the
creation of the Birmingham Pledge and sig-
natories to the pledge for the steps they are
taking to make the Nation and the world a bet-
ter place for all people; and
•HJ 102 IH
(2) it is the sense of the Congress that a Na-
tional Birmingham Pledge Week should be estab-
lished.
Æ