HR1400 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1400 LRB095 21656 GRL 51858 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Bullying is physical, verbal, sexual, or emotional harm or intimidation directed at a person or group of people; and

WHEREAS, Bullying occurs in neighborhoods, playgrounds, schools, and through technology, such as the Internet; and

WHEREAS, Various researchers have concluded that bullying is the most common form of violence, affecting millions of American children and adolescents annually; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Illinois children and adolescents are targets of bullying annually; and

WHEREAS, Targets of bullying are more likely to acquire physical, emotional, and learning problems and students who are repeatedly bullied often fear such activities as riding the bus, going to school, and attending community activities; and

WHEREAS, Children who bully are at greater risk of engaging in more serious violent behaviors; and

WHEREAS, A large percentage of children who are bullied believe that adult help is infrequent and ineffective; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the week of October 5-11, 2008 as Illinois Bullying Prevention Awareness Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage Illinois schools, parents, recreation programs, religious institutions, and community organizations to engage in a variety of awareness and prevention activities designed to make our communities safer for all children and adolescents.