AR122

An Assembly Resolution designating November 13, 2019 as “Day of Civility” in New Jersey.

Whereas, In recent years, American political and social discourse has been fraught with divisive rhetoric; and

Whereas, “Civility,” which means courtesy or politeness, would greatly enhance social relations among Americans and improve political leaders’ ability to govern; and

Whereas, Ninety-three percent of Americans consider incivility to be a problem in the United States, most classifying it as a major problem; and

Whereas, Seventy-five percent of Americans blame politicians for the erosion of civility in our society; and

Whereas, More than eight in 10 Americans have experienced incivility and in a wide variety of places and settings; and

Whereas, Among those Americans who have reported experiencing incivility, such encounters are frequent, averaging 10.6 times per week; and

Whereas, Nine out of 10 Americans believe that incivility leads to intimidation, threats, harassment, discrimination, violence, and cyber-bullying; and

Whereas, Most Americans believe that civility benefits society by building national pride and by easing tension and conflict; and

Whereas, Since 1998, “World Kindness Day” has taken place annually on November 13 to celebrate, promote, and pledge acts of kindness; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and within the public interest, to designate November 13, 2019 as “Day of Civility” in New Jersey and to encourage the citizens of this State to join the observance of this day; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. November 13, 2019 is hereby designated as “Day of Civility” in New Jersey.

2. All citizens of this State are urged to observe “Day of Civility” with educational programs and activities designed to foster civility.

3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, the President of the New Jersey School Boards Association, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Center For Civic Education, the President of the New Jersey Association of Counties, the President of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, and the President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates November 13, 2019 as “Day of Civility” in New Jersey to coincide with “World Kindness Day.” In recent years, American political and social discourse has been fraught with divisive rhetoric. “Civility,” which means courtesy or politeness, would greatly enhance social relations among Americans and improve political leaders’ ability to govern. A vast majority of Americans consider incivility to be a problem, and many blame politicians for the erosion of civility in our society. Most Americans have experienced incivility and in a wide variety of places and settings. Among those Americans who have reported experiencing incivility, such encounters are frequent. Most Americans believe that incivility leads to intimidation, threats, harassment, discrimination, violence, and cyber-bullying, and that civility benefits society by building national pride and by easing tension and conflict.