Reps. Dillon, Brown, Driskell, Singh and Slavens offered the following resolution:

House             Resolution No. 289.

            A resolution to declare January 20-24, 2014, as No Name-Calling Week in the state of Michigan.

           Whereas, No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling and bullying in their communities; and

            Whereas, Sixty organizations, including the National School Boards Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, National Association of School Psychologists, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, have come together as No Name-Calling Week partner organizations; and

            Whereas, Thousands of students have participated in No Name-Calling Week since its inception in 2004; and

 Whereas, The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network has conducted and released national studies analyzing the pervasive harassment and victimization faced by elementary students and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) secondary students; and 

            Whereas, Twenty-six percent of elementary students reported hearing others say hurtful things based on another student’s race or ethnic background; and

            Whereas, Thirty percent of elementary students reported being bullied or called names at some point while in school; and

            Whereas, Over 70 percent of LGBT middle and high school students frequently hear homophobic remarks and over 80 percent of LGBT middle and high school students were verbally harassed in the past year because of their sexual orientation; and 

Whereas, Fifty-five percent of LGBT middle and high school students experienced harassment via electronic means in the past year; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare January 20-24, 2014, as No Name-Calling Week in the state of Michigan. We encourage the citizens of Michigan to observe this occasion with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.