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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 3
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By: Senator Benson
Introduced and read first time: January 22, 2025
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
A Senate 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 Drea m 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
WHEREAS, DEI policies, from the 19th Amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 22
to the Americans with Disabilities Act, among others, reflect the corrective legislative and 23
legal actions taken across our nation’s history to expand and guarantee access to the 24
educational, economic, and civic obligations and capacities of our nation; and 25 2 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 3
WHEREAS, DEI principles and policies promote equal access to opportunities, foster 1
an environment of respect and belonging, and ensure that every individual – regardless of 2
background – can fully participate in all aspects of society; and 3
WHEREAS, DEI is essential to creating a society where all individuals are valued, 4
heard, and included; and 5
WHEREAS, DEI is based on removing barriers to opportunity so that our merits can 6
speak for themselves; and 7
WHEREAS, DEI is committed to widening pathways to the American Dr eam for 8
every community so that all people can reap the benefits of shared prosperity in our nation; 9
and 10
WHEREAS, Freedom of speech and expression are fundamental constitutional 11
rights, protecting the ability of individuals to voice their ideas and opinions without 12
interference, punishment, or retaliation by the government; and 13
WHEREAS, Anti–DEI activists, politicians, and corporate decision–makers who 14
attempt to prohibit DEI infringe upon the right of individuals to freely express themselves, 15
diminish the diversity of perspectives that strengthen our society, and conflict with 16
antidiscrimination laws; and 17
WHEREAS, Efforts to attack DEI are harmful to the bottom line and health of our 18
economy; now, therefore, be it 19
RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That Maryland 20
affirms its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as an essential foundation for 21
achieving the American Dream and fostering environments where all individuals have the 22
freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe, and the opportunity to realize their full 23
potential; and be it further 24
RESOLVED, That Maryland encourages local, State, and federal policymakers, 25
educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to adopt and uphold DEI 26
principles that promote inclusivity, protect freedom of expression, remove barriers, and 27
provide equitable opportunities for all individuals to pursue their dreams; and be it further 28
RESOLVED, That certified copies of this Resolution be sent by the Secretary of State 29
to: the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, 1600 30
Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500; the Honorable JD Vance, Vice President 31
of the United States, President of the United States Senate, Suite S–212, United States 32
Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; the Honorable Charles E. Grassley, President 33
Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, 34
D.C., 20510; and the Honorable James Michael Johnson, Speaker of the United States 35
House of Representatives, H–232, United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; 36
and be it further 37 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 3 3
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of 1
Legislative Services to the Honorable Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland; the Honorable 2
William C. Ferguson, IV, President of the Senate of Maryland; the Honorable Adrienne A. 3
Jones, Speaker of the House of Delegates; and the Maryland Congressional Delegation. 4