AJR149

A Joint Resolution designating November 13 of each year 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, Over the course of almost ten years, KRC Research, a public opinion research consultancy, Weber Shandwick, a public relations and marketing communications firm, and Powell Tate, a public affairs firm, conducted annual studies on Americans’ perception of civility in the United States, and

Whereas, Those annual studies found that 93 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 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 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 of each year 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 Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. November 13 of each year is hereby designated “Day of Civility” in New Jersey.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing November 13 of each year as “Day of Civility” and calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe this day with appropriate educational programs and activities designed to foster civility.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates November 13 of each year 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.