R032-9899

10       		     A RESOLUTION CONCERNING
20 		THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SOCIAL AWARENESS CLASS IN 
30 				SECONDARY SCHOOLS

40	WHEREAS:	The recent events in Texas in which James Byrd, who was a black 
50			man, was dragged behind a truck and killed by William King, who 
60			admittedly was racially biased, blatantly illustrates racial 
70			ignorance; and,

80	WHEREAS:	Violence has been displayed in Aberdeen, Maryland where 
90			Melissa Pennington and Nancy Atkinson, WaWa employees, were 
100			shot and killed while at work; and,

110	WHEREAS:	The Maryland State School Systems are daily consumed with 
120			issues of violence.

130	THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:	That the Maryland Student Legislature urges 
140			the State Board of Education to implement a social awareness class 
150			into secondary education including such topics as violence, sexual 
160			harassment and assault, and ethnic diversity; and,

170	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:	That the social awareness class should be 
180			incorporated into the health education class already required for 
190			secondary school graduation; and;

200	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:	That this resolution should take effect      
210			August 1, 2000.

220	MANDATES:	Senator Gloria Gary Lawlah
230 			Dr. Nancy S. Gramick, State Superintendent of Schools
240			Dr. Anthony G. Marchione, Baltimore County Superintendent of 
250			Schools

Sponsor:
Jennifer Graham
College of Notre Dame
4701 N. Charles St.
Box 189
Baltimore, MD 21210
(410) 532-1227