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

Assembly Resolution No. 1238

BY: M. of A. DeStefano

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        April 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  April  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;  in  addition,  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, they  may
become  desensitized  to  cruelty,  they  may  learn to imitate bullying
behavior and become bullies themselves, and/or they 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, as
well as about 15% who 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  April  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.