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. HIN-
CHEY, 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 en-
gaged in a national effort to transform after-school pro-
grams and children’s summer camps into more compas-
sionate 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 distrib-
uting 50,000 copies of its professionally-developed cur-
riculum;
•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 be-
fore over 240 educational organizations in 36 states on 
behalf of Operation Respect, as well as before the Repub-
lican Conference and Democratic Caucus of the United 
States House of Representatives; 
Whereas the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ program increases mu-
tual 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 empa-
thy, tolerance, and compassion; 
Whereas the ‘‘Don’t Laugh At Me’’ programs have made a 
significant impact on schools and camps through a cur-
riculum 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 pro-
grams were effective, enjoyable, and positively influenced 
the social and emotional growth of the children;
•HRES 161 IH 
Whereas the success of Operation Respect and the ‘‘Don’t 
Laugh At Me’’ programs has been recognized by the Na-
tional Conference of State Legislatures and major edu-
cational associations, including the National Association 
of Elementary School Principals, the National Associa-
tion of Secondary School Principals, the American Asso-
ciation of School Administrators, the Council of Great 
City Colleges of Education, the National Education Asso-
ciation, the Council of Great City Schools, the American 
School Counselors Association, the National School 
Boards Association, the National Middle School Associa-
tion, 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, there-
fore, be it
Resolved, That Operation Respect, the ‘‘Don’t Laugh 
At Me’’ programs, and Peter Yarrow are commended for 
their major contributions to the sound emotional develop-
ment, personal growth, and physical safety of children 
throughout the United States.
Æ