Bill Text: PA SR179 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Day, which is being observed on September 21, 2011, throughout the world.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-3)

Status: (Passed) 2011-09-20 - Introduced and adopted [SR179 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR179-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1573
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 179 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY FARNESE, DINNIMAN, STACK, BROWNE, FONTANA, FERLO, BOSCOLA, GREENLEAF, BREWSTER, COSTA, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, KITCHEN, RAFFERTY AND WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Day, which is being
observed on September 21, 2011, throughout the world.
WHEREAS, William Penn founded Pennsylvania on the principle
of universal brotherhood, a revolutionary canon that promoted
religious and political freedom and racial equality; and
WHEREAS, His visions of peace, freedom and equality laid the
foundation for modern society in Pennsylvania and the United
States, including many of the ideals vital to our rights as
human beings; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations believes in this same vision,
working to promote the ideals and principles of peace and human
rights across the globe; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly
unanimously declared the International Day of Peace be devoted
to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within
and among all nations and peoples; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, the United Nations unanimously established
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the United Nations International Day of Peace as September 21,
to be observed each year in promotion of global cease-fire and
nonviolence; and
WHEREAS, Peace Day, as it is known in the United States, has
been a day instrumental to hostility cessation, public awareness
and providing a platform for nonviolent activities worldwide,
including peace walks, concerts, art exhibitions, school
assemblies, peace-building programs, environmental activities,
memorial services and vaccination campaigns; and
WHEREAS, Peace Day observances are wide ranging, with many
organizations and cities across Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh, creating practical acts of peace for our citizens
to further understand and actively participate in a movement of
nonviolence; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the United States Senate passed a
resolution expressing its support for the goals and ideals
celebrated on Peace Day and for "continuing efforts to raise
global awareness of the goals of Peace Day and to engage all
sectors of society in the peaceful observance of the
International Day of Peace"; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 Senate resolution "encourages people in the
United States to observe Peace Day with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and educational activities, in order to raise
awareness of the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts of
all kinds"; and
WHEREAS, September 21, 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of
the International Day of Peace, a day for all people to rise
above the issues that divide us, including politics, religion,
race, culture, economic circumstance, age and gender; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations' theme for Peace Day 2011 is
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"Make Your Voice Heard"; and
WHEREAS, September 21, 2011, marks the 365-day countdown to
Global Truce 2012, a campaign by a nonprofit organization based
in the United Kingdom, known as Peace One Day, founded by Jeremy
Gilley, to create the largest reduction in violence on a single
day in our history, providing a window for extraordinary
humanitarian aid efforts and significant reductions in violence
worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jane Goodall was made a United Nations Messenger
of Peace because of her program, Roots and Shoots, a program
based on the belief in the ability of our youth to identify and
solve the complex problems that exist between humans, humans and
animals and humans and the environment, a philosophy integral to
Peace Day observances; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate express its support for the goals
and ideals celebrated on Peace Day on September 21, 2011, in
Pennsylvania, and encourage all citizens of this Commonwealth to
become aware of and participate in the important peace
activities being carried out on this day.
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