Bill Text: NY K00464 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 12, 2019, as a Day of Silence in the State of New York
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-30 - adopted [K00464 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-K00464-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 464 BY: M. of A. Bronson MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 12, 2019, as a Day of Silence in the State of New York WHEREAS, The Day of Silence is a day on which students take a vow to remain silent for a full day in order to bring attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff; and WHEREAS, The Day of Silence has been held annually since April of 1996; and WHEREAS, The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network has designated April 12, 2019, as the Day of Silence; and 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; and 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; and 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; and 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; and 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; and WHEREAS, Every child, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should be guaranteed an education free from discrimination and harassment; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body supports the goals and ideals of the Day of Silence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 12, 2019, as a Day of Silence in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.