IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 86
Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 11, 2003
Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Ms. LEE, Mr. LAN-
TOS, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, and Ms. 
BALDWIN) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition 
to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence.
Whereas the Day of Silence is a day on which students take 
a vow to remain silent for a full day in order bring atten-
tion to the harassment and discrimination faced by les-
bian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in schools, in-
cluding students, teachers, and other school staff; 
Whereas the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, 
in partnership with the United States Student Associa-
tion, has designated April 9, 2003, as the Day of Silence; 
Whereas more than 150,000 students at more than 1,700 
kindergarten through 12th grade schools participated in 
the 2002 Day of Silence;
•HCON 86 IH 
Whereas the 2001 Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education 
Network National School Climate Survey illustrates the 
pervasive harassment and victimization of lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, and transgender students; 
Whereas more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender students have been verbally harassed by 
their peers because of their sexual orientation and gender 
identity; 
Whereas more than 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender students have been physically assaulted by 
their peers because of their sexual orientation and gender 
identity; 
Whereas more than 80 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender students report that faculty and staff rarely 
or never intervene when harassment against lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, and transgender individuals occurs; 
Whereas more than 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender students report missing at least one entire 
school day in the last month because they feel unsafe; 
Whereas unchecked harassment and discrimination based on 
sexual orientation and gender identity or expression can 
hinder student achievement and have a negative impact 
on student academic performance; 
Whereas 42 States do not have laws protecting lesbian, gay, 
and bisexual students from discrimination or harassment 
that occurs at school; 
Whereas 47 States do not have laws protecting transgender 
students from discrimination or harassment that occurs 
at school; and
•HCON 86 IH 
Whereas every child, regardless of sexual orientation or gen-
der identity, should be guaranteed an education free from 
discrimination and harassment: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the Day of 
Silence; 
(2) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation calling on the people of the United States to 
observe the Day of Silence with appropriate cere-
monies, programs, and activities; 
(3) encourages each city and State to adopt 
laws to prohibit discrimination and harassment 
against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender stu-
dents, teachers, and other school staff; and 
(4) encourages each school district in the 
United States to adopt policies to prohibit discrimi-
nation and harassment against lesbian, gay, bisex-
ual, and transgender students, teachers, and other 
school staff.
Æ