Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas Senate Bill SCR2 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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3	3	State of Arkansas 1
4	4	95th General Assembly 2
5	5	Regular Session, 2025 SCR 2 3
6	6	4
7	7	By: Senators J. Scott, S. Flowers, G. Leding, C. Tucker, R. Murdock, F. Love 5
8	8	By: Representatives J. Richardson, Steele, Ennett, Springer, T. Shephard, Clowney, Barnett, Barnes, 6
9	9	McGruder 7
10	10	8
11	11	SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9
12	12	TO AFFIRM THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM BELONGS TO ALL OF 10
13	13	US. 11
14	14	12
15	15	13
16	16	Subtitle 14
17	17	TO AFFIRM THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM 15
18	18	BELONGS TO ALL OF US. 16
19	19	17
20	20	WHEREAS, the American Dream has been a beacon of hope for generations; 18
21	21	and 19
22	22	20
23	23	WHEREAS, the American Dream embodies the ideals of opportunity, 21
24	24	prosperity, and upward mobility, promising that every person should have the 22
25	25	chance to achieve what they themselves define as success and fulfillment 23
26	26	through hard work and determination; and 24
27	27	25
28	28	WHEREAS, many today feel as though the American Dream is unattainable; 26
29	29	and 27
30	30	28
31	31	WHEREAS, the American Dream belongs to all of us, not just billionaires 29
32	32	and multi-millionaires; and 30
33	33	31
34	34	WHEREAS, our highest accomplishments as a state and nation have been 32
35	35	achieved when we harnessed the strengths of all people regardless of identity 33
36	36	to overcome our greatest challenges; and 34
37	37	35
38	38	WHEREAS, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a centuries -old 36 SCR2
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41	41	movement deeply rooted in America's founding principles and its subsequent 1
42	42	legacy of civil rights and social justice efforts aimed at delivering the 2
43	43	laws, policies, and initiatives that enable America to live up to its 3
44	44	Constitution's promises; and 4
45	45	5
46	46	WHEREAS, DEI policies, including the Nineteenth Amendment, the Civil 6
47	47	Rights Act of 1964, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, among others, 7
48	48	reflect the corrective legislative and legal actions taken across our 8
49	49	nation's history to expand and guarantee access to the educational, economic, 9
50	50	and civic obligations and capacities of our nation; and 10
51	51	11
52	52	WHEREAS, DEI principles and policies promote equal access to 12
53	53	opportunities, foster an environment of respect and belonging, and ensure 13
54	54	that every individual, regardless of background, can fully participate in all 14
55	55	aspects of society; and 15
56	56	16
57	57	WHEREAS, DEI is essential to creating a society where all individuals 17
58	58	are valued, heard, and included; and 18
59	59	19
60	60	WHEREAS, DEI is based on removing barriers to opportunity so that our 20
61	61	merits can speak for themselves; and 21
62	62	22
63	63	WHEREAS, DEI is committed to widening pathways to the American Dream 23
64	64	for every community so that all people can reap the benefits of shared 24
65	65	prosperity in our nation; and 25
66	66	26
67	67	WHEREAS, freedom of speech and expression are fundamental 27
68	68	constitutional rights, protecting the ability of individuals to voice their 28
69	69	ideas and opinions without interference, punishment, or retaliation by the 29
70	70	government; and 30
71	71	31
72	72	WHEREAS, anti-DEI activists, politicians, and corporate decision makers 32
73	73	who attempt to prohibit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies and 33
74	74	initiatives infringe upon the right of individuals to freely express 34
75	75	themselves, diminish the diversity of perspectives that strengthen our 35
76	76	society, and conflict with anti -discrimination laws; and 36 SCR2
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80	80	WHEREAS, efforts to attack DEI are harmful to the bottom line and 2
81	81	health of our economy, 3
82	82	4
83	83	NOW THEREFORE, 5
84	84	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY -FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 6
85	85	STATE OF ARKANSAS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN: 7
86	86	8
87	87	THAT the State of Arkansas affirms its commitment to DEI as an 9
88	88	essential foundation for achieving the American Dream and fostering 10
89	89	environments where all individuals have the freedom to be healthy, 11
90	90	prosperous, and safe and the opportunity to realize their full potential. 12
91	91	13
92	92	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the State of Arkansas encourages local, state, 14
93	93	and federal policymakers, educational institutions, workplaces, and other 15
94	94	organizations to adopt and uphold DEI principles that promote inclusivity, 16
95	95	protect freedom of expression, remove barriers, and provide equitable 17
96	96	opportunities for all individuals to pursue their dreams. 18
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