H. J. Res. 102
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
Joint Resolution
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.
Whereas Birmingham, Alabama, was the scene of racial strife in
the United States in the 1950s and 1960s;
Whereas since the 1960s, the people of Birmingham have made
substantial progress toward racial equality, which has improved
the quality of life for all its citizens and led to economic prosperity;
Whereas out of the crucible of Birmingham’s role in the civil rights
movement of the 1950s and 1960s, a present-day grassroots move-
ment has arisen to continue the effort to eliminate racial and
ethnic divisions in the United States and around the world;
Whereas that grassroots movement has found expression in the
Birmingham Pledge, which was authored by Birmingham
attorney James E. Rotch, is sponsored by the Community Affairs
Committee of Operation New Birmingham, and is promoted by
a broad cross section of the community of Birmingham;
Whereas the Birmingham Pledge reads as follows:
‘‘I believe that every person has worth as an individual.
‘‘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 elimi-
nate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.
‘‘I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every oppor-
tunity.
‘‘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 commitment and adherence to the Birmingham Pledge
increases racial harmony by helping individuals communicate
in a positive way concerning the diversity of the people of the
United States and by encouraging people to make a commitment
to racial harmony;
Whereas individuals who sign the Birmingham Pledge give evidence
of their commitment to its message;
Whereas more than 70,000 people have signed the Birmingham
Pledge, including the President, Members of Congress, Governors,
H. J. Res. 102—2
State legislators, mayors, county commissioners, city council
members, and other persons around the world;
Whereas the Birmingham Pledge has achieved national and inter-
national recognition;
Whereas efforts to obtain signatories to the Birmingham Pledge
are being organized and conducted in communities around the
world;
Whereas every Birmingham Pledge signed and returned to Bir-
mingham is recorded at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,
Birmingham, Alabama, as a permanent testament to racial rec-
onciliation, peace, and harmony; and
Whereas the Birmingham Pledge, the motto for which is ‘‘Sign
It, Live It’’, is a powerful tool for facilitating 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) Congress recognizes that the Birmingham Pledge is
a significant contribution toward fostering racial harmony and
reconciliation in the United States and around the world;
(2) Congress commends the creators, promoters, and sig-
natories of the Birmingham Pledge for the steps they are taking
to make the United States and the world a better place for
all people; and
(3) it is the sense of the Congress that a particular week
should be designated as ‘‘National Birmingham Pledge Week’’.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.