Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2026, as Bullying Prevention Month in the State of New York

Senate Resolution No. 2323

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        October 2026, as Bullying Prevention  Month  in  the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to
memorialize  Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2026, as Bullying
Prevention Month in the State of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the
observance of National Bullying Prevention Month; and

  WHEREAS,  Bullying is comprised of direct behaviors such as teasing,
taunting, threatening, hitting, and stealing that are initiated  by  one
or more students against a target, as well as indirect behaviors such as
spreading  rumors and acting in other ways to cause another person to be
socially  isolated  through  intentional  exclusion,   with   all   such
behaviors,  direct  or  indirect, amounting to physical or psychological
intimidation occurring repeatedly over time to create an ongoing pattern
of harassment and abuse; and

  WHEREAS,  Race,  age,  religion,   physical   disability,   physical
appearance,  socioeconomic  status  and various other factors can be the
basis of bullying, and anyone can be a target; and

  WHEREAS, People who bully others are at increased risk for substance
abuse,  academic  problems,  and  violence  later  in  adolescence   and
adulthood; and

  WHEREAS,  Those  individuals  who  stand  by  passively  watching or
actively encouraging bullying are also affected by these  hostile  acts;
they encourage bullying by creating an audience, may become desensitized
to  cruelty,  may  learn  to  imitate  bullying behavior, and may become
bullies themselves, and may be fearful for their own safety,  adding  to
their own insecurity; and

  WHEREAS,  Today,  nearly  30%  of all students are either bullies or
victims of bullying, and 160,000 young  people  stay  home  from  school
every day because of their fear of bullying; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout the past year, approximately 20% of high school
students in the United States reported being bullied  at  their  school,
and 15% claimed they were bullied online; and

  WHEREAS, Individuals who choose to practice unselfish generosity and
who  lead by example tend to leave a trail of positive feelings in their
wake; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be continued  public  awareness
of  this  serious  issue,  and  to encourage all New Yorkers to practice
kindness toward all people; now, therefore, be it


  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2026, as  Bullying
Prevention Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York.