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