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.
PL 106-483 (H.J.Res.102), enacted 11/09/2000

PUBLIC LAW 106-483—NOV. 9, 2000 
114 STAT. 2193 
Public Law 106-483 
106th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Recognizing that the Birmingham Pledge has made a significant contribution in 
Nov. 9, 2000 
fostering racial harmony and reconciliation in the United States and around 
[HJ Res 102] 
the world, and for other purposes. 
Whereas Birmingham, Alabama, was the scene of racial strife in Alabama, 
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, 
114 STAT. 2194 
PUBLIC LAW 106-483—NOV. 9, 2000 
State legislators, mayors, county commissioners, city council 
members, and other persons around the world; 
Whereas the Birmingham Pledge has achieved national £ind 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". 
Approved November 9, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 102: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
Sept. 12, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 26, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 30, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 36 (2000): 
Nov. 17, Presidential statement.