1

Senate Resolution

2

A resolution recognizing April 18, 2008, as "STOP Day" in

3

the State of Florida.

4

5

     WHEREAS, violence in America's schools threatens the core of

6

the educational process and deprives students and teachers of

7

opportunities to learn and teach without the fear of harm, and

8

     WHEREAS, "STOP Day" is intended to raise awareness of the

9

growing epidemic of violence in America's schools and to motivate

10

those who incite violence to opt for peaceful resolution of their

11

grievances and a path of self-improvement and healing, and

12

     WHEREAS, students are urged to recite the "Stop Day" pledge,

13

which states: "I pledge to be nonviolent and to respect my fellow

14

classmates.  I will report crime or acts of violence to

15

appropriate officials or call Crime Stoppers to report incidents

16

anonymously.  I will not let the actions of a few make my school

17

dangerous or unsafe.  I want a safe learning environment and will

18

work with my fellow students to make it so," and

19

     WHEREAS, "STOP Day" participants are urged to show their

20

support by developing anti-violence community service projects,

21

inviting legal professionals to speak to student groups,

22

conducting open-ended skits that allow student observers to

23

predict outcomes of conflict based upon real-life choices,

24

developing a process that encourages the reporting of school

25

crime or violence, and conducting mock trials, and

26

     WHEREAS, "STOP Day" will give every student in Florida an

27

opportunity to evaluate this critical issue and assess his or her

28

role in preventing crime or violence in our schools, NOW,

29

THEREFORE,

30

31

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

32

33

     That the Florida Senate is aware of the importance of

34

stopping violence in schools and recognizes April 18, 2008, as

35

"STOP Day" in the State of Florida.