Senate Resolution No. 1268

BY: Senator HOYLMAN

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
recognize April 21, 2017, 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 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 (GLSEN)
has designated April 21, 2017, as the Day of Silence; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of students at more than 8,000 K-12
schools, colleges and universities participated in Day of Silence events
in 2016; and

WHEREAS, It has been reported by GLSEN that 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, It has been reported by GLSEN that 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, It has been reported by GLSEN that 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, Bullying, harassment and discrimination can hinder student
achievement and have a negative impact on students' academic
performance; and

WHEREAS, Every child, 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 21, 2017, 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.