PRINTER'S NO. 1247
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
181
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FARNESE, DINNIMAN, KITCHEN, SABATINA, TARTAGLIONE,
GREENLEAF, MENSCH, COSTA, BREWSTER, SCHWANK, FONTANA,
RAFFERTY, VULAKOVICH AND YUDICHAK, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 21, 2015, as "International Day of Peace"
and supporting the ideals observed at this worldwide event.
WHEREAS, The ideal of peace encompasses the deepest hopes of
all peoples and remains humanity's guiding inspiration; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth was founded by William Penn on the
principles of peace, freedom and equality; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations believes in this same vision and
works to promote the ideals and principles of peace and human
rights across the globe; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations' "International Day of Peace,"
established in 1981, offers an annual opportunity on September
21 for countries, cities, states, communities and individuals to
"commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace within and among
all nations and peoples"; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, the United Nations unanimously established
the "International Day of Peace" on September 21 to be observed
each year in promotion of global ceasefire and nonviolence; and
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WHEREAS, In 2009, the United States Senate passed Senate
Resolution No. 274 (2009), 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, On September 21, 2015, people in cities across the
world come together through diverse peace education activities,
nonviolent skill building, music, marches, spiritual activities,
arts projects, community events, environmental efforts and
intercultural dialogues, all for the purpose of forwarding a
culture of peace; and
WHEREAS, "International Day of Peace" observances are wide
ranging, with many organizations and cities across this
Commonwealth, 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, Peace Day Philly, a Philadelphia-region initiative
that encourages broad-based participation in the "International
Day of Peace," calls upon all public officials, organizations,
neighborhoods, community groups and individuals to actively
engage in this global day of local opportunity; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, more than 30 diverse peace-related events
took place across the region from September 15 through September
21, and additional peace, community-building, safety and youth
activities were organized in neighborhoods across the city by
the Philadelphia Police Department; and
WHEREAS, On September 21 at 12 noon in all time zones, people
of all nationalities and religions will observe a minute of
silence for peace; and
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WHEREAS, The United Nations' global theme for "International
Day of Peace" 2015 is "Partnerships for Peace - Dignity for
All"; and
WHEREAS, This global theme recognizes the essential role that
civil society and nongovernmental organizations have played in
the United Nations' peace-building activities and the work of
the United Nations for more than 70 years to promote and create
conditions for universal human rights and dignity for all
people; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
called upon, in his 100-day countdown statement, for "the people
of the world to reaffirm their commitment to living in harmony
as members of a single human family" and for citizens to "stand
with the millions of people across the world who are suffering
the devastating impact of violence and conflict"; and
WHEREAS, Conflict resolution and transformation, mediation,
mindfulness training and many other skill-based aspects of peace
education, as well as intercultural dialogue and other forms of
diversity and global awareness activities, are critical to the
development of peace-building skills and global citizenship
among children and youth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize September 21, 2015, as
"International Day of Peace" and express its support for the
goals and ideals celebrated worldwide on September 21, 2015, and
encourage and commend all residents of this Commonwealth who
actively promote and participate in diverse peace, nonviolence
and unity-building activities in observance of the
"International Day of Peace."
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