Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HJ4 Compare Versions

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

Old	New	Differences
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3	3	hj0004
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5	5	HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4
6	6	D5 5lr2491
7	7	CF SJ 3
8	8	By: Delegates Martinez, Acevero, Addison, Alston, Fair, Fennell, Guzzone, Hill,
9	9	Kaiser, Kaufman, R. Lewis, McCaskill, Pasteur, Phillips, Roberts, Ruff,
10	10	Ruth, Simpson, Solomon, Taveras, Taylor, Turner, Vogel, Wilkins, Woods,
11	11	and Young
12	12	Introduced and read first time: January 27, 2025
13	13	Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
14	14
15	15	HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
16	16
17	17	A House Joint Resolution concerning 1
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19	19	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – The American Dream 2
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21	21	FOR the purpose of affirming Maryland’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
22	22	(DEI) as a foundation of the American Dream; encouraging certain individuals and 4
23	23	groups to adopt and uphold DEI principles; and generally relating to the American 5
24	24	Dream and DEI. 6
25	25
26	26	WHEREAS, For generations the American Dream has been a beacon of hope; and 7
27	27
28	28	WHEREAS, The American Dream embodies the ideals of opportunity, prosperity, 8
29	29	and upward mobility, promising that every person should have the chance to achieve what 9
30	30	they themselves define as success and fulfillment through hard work and determination; 10
31	31	and 11
32	32
33	33	WHEREAS, Many today feel as though their American Dream is unattainable; and 12
34	34
35	35	WHEREAS, The American Dream belongs to all of us, not just billionaires and 13
36	36	multimillionaires; and 14
37	37
38	38	WHEREAS, Our highest accomplishments as a state and nation have been achieved 15
39	39	when we harnessed the strengths of all people, regardless of their identities, to overcome 16
40	40	our greatest challenges; and 17
41	41
42	42	WHEREAS, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a centuries–old movement 18
43	43	deeply rooted in America’s founding principles and its subsequent legacy of civil rights and 19
44	44	social justice efforts aimed at delivering the laws, policies, and initiatives that enable 20
45	45	America to live up to our Constitution’s promises; and 21
46	46	2 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4
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48	48
49	49	WHEREAS, DEI policies, from the 19th Amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 1
50	50	to the Americans with Disabilities Act, among others, reflect the corrective legislative and 2
51	51	legal actions taken across our nation’s history to expand and guarantee access to the 3
52	52	educational, economic, and civic obligations and capacities of our nation; and 4
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54	54	WHEREAS, DEI principles and policies promote equal access to opportunities, foster 5
55	55	an environment of respect and belonging, and ensure that every individual – regardless of 6
56	56	background – can fully participate in all aspects of society; and 7
57	57
58	58	WHEREAS, DEI is essential to creating a society where all individuals are valued, 8
59	59	heard, and included; and 9
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61	61	WHEREAS, DEI is based on removing barriers to opportunity so that our merits can 10
62	62	speak for themselves; and 11
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64	64	WHEREAS, DEI is committed to widening pathways to the American Dream for 12
65	65	every community so that all people can reap the benefits of shared prosperity in our nation; 13
66	66	and 14
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68	68	WHEREAS, Freedom of speech and expression are fundamental constitutional 15
69	69	rights, protecting the ability of individuals to voice their ideas and opinions without 16
70	70	interference, punishment, or retaliation by the government; and 17
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72	72	WHEREAS, Anti–DEI activists, politicians, and corporate decision–makers who 18
73	73	attempt to prohibit DEI infringe upon the right of individuals to freely express themselves, 19
74	74	diminish the diversity of perspectives that strengthen our society, and conflict with 20
75	75	antidiscrimination laws; and 21
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77	77	WHEREAS, Efforts to attack DEI are harmful to the bottom line and health of our 22
78	78	economy; now, therefore, be it 23
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80	80	RESOLVED BY THE GEN ERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That Maryland 24
81	81	affirms its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as an essential foundation for 25
82	82	achieving the American Dream and fostering environments where all individuals have the 26
83	83	freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe, and the opportunity to realize their full 27
84	84	potential; and be it further 28
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86	86	RESOLVED, That Maryland encourages local, State, and federal policymakers, 29
87	87	educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to adopt and uphold DEI 30
88	88	principles that promote inclusivity, protect freedom of expression, remove barriers, and 31
89	89	provide equitable opportunities for all individuals to pursue their dreams; and be it further 32
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91	91	RESOLVED, That certified copies of this Resolution be sent by the Secretary of State 33
92	92	to: the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, 1600 34
93	93	Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500; the Honorable JD Vance, Vice President 35
94	94	of the United States, President of the United States Senate, Suite S–212, United States 36
95	95	Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; the Honorable Charles E. Grassley, President 37 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4 3
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98	98	Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, 1
99	99	D.C., 20510; and the Honorable James Michael Johnson, Speaker of the United States 2
100	100	House of Representatives, H–232, United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; 3
101	101	and be it further 4
102	102
103	103	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of 5
104	104	Legislative Services to the Honorable Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland; the Honorable 6
105	105	William C. Ferguson, IV, President of the Senate of Maryland; the Honorable Adrienne A. 7
106	106	Jones, Speaker of the House of Delegates; and the Maryland Congressional Delegation. 8
107	107