IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 123 
Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence with respect to discrimi-
nation and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 
individuals in schools. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 5, 2005 
Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Mr. OWENS, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. MEE-
HAN, Mr. FARR, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. NORTON, Mr. DELAHUNT, and Ms. 
SCHAKOWSKY) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addi-
tion to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence with 
respect to discrimination and harassment faced by les-
bian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in 
schools. 
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 individuals in 
schools, including students, teachers, and other school 
staff;
•HCON 123 IH 
Whereas the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, 
in partnership with the United States Student Associa-
tion, has designated April 13, 2005, as the Day of Si-
lence; 
Whereas more than 300,000 students from more than 3,000 
junior and high schools participated in the Day of Silence 
in 2004; 
Whereas the 2003 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 at 
school by their peers because of their sexual orientation, 
gender identity, or expression; 
Whereas in 2003, nearly 20 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
and transgender students were physically assaulted by 
their peers at school because of their sexual orientation, 
gender identity, or expression; 
Whereas almost 40 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and 
transgender students reported that faculty and staff 
never intervene when homophobic language is used in 
their presence; 
Whereas almost 30 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender students reported missing at least one entire 
school day in the last month because they felt unsafe; 
Whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who 
experienced verbal harassment because of their sexual 
orientation at least some of the time were twice as likely 
to report that they did not plan to attend college than 
youth who never or rarely experienced such harassment;
•HCON 123 IH 
Whereas unchecked harassment and discrimination based on 
sexual orientation and gender identity or expression may 
have a negative impact on student academic performance 
such that grade point averages may be significantly 
lower; 
Whereas 42 States do not have laws protecting lesbian, gay, 
and bisexual students from discrimination or harassment 
that occurs at school because of sexual orientation, gen-
der identity, or expression; 
Whereas 47 States do not have laws protecting students from 
discrimination or harassment because of their gender 
identity or expression when it occurs at school; 
Whereas every child should be guaranteed an education free 
from discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex-
ual orientation, gender identity, or expression; and 
Whereas April 13, 2005, would be an appropriate day to ob-
serve the Day of Silence: 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; and 
(3) encourages each city and State to adopt 
laws to prohibit discrimination and harassment 
against students, teachers, and other school staff on
•HCON 123 IH 
the basis that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or 
transgendered so that our schools are institutions 
where all individuals are able to focus on learning. 
Æ