Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Oxford University Press and Merriam-Webster, Inc. to add word upstander to Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, respectively.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution urging the Oxford University Press and Merriam-Webster, Inc. to add the word upstander to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, respectively.
Whereas, An upstander is a person who recognizes a bully-victim situation and acts in a manner that is responsible and helpful to the situation; and
Whereas, The term upstander is derived from the upright handles on the back of a dog sled that drives the sled and provides the musher with stability and support; and
Whereas, New Jersey Anti-Bullying Task Force defines bullying as any incident motivated by an actual or perceived characteristic that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of school or the rights of other students; and
Whereas, Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year in the United States and 17 percent of American students report being bullied two to three times a month or more within a school semester; and
Whereas, Approximately 160,000 teens skip school everyday because of bullying and one in ten students drop out of school because of persistent bullying; and
Whereas, New Jersey public schools reported 7,740 incidents of harassment, imitation, and bullying between July 1, 2012 and June 20, 2013; and
Whereas, Many bullying victims feel that adult help is infrequent and ineffective, as over 67 percent of students believe that schools respond poorly to bullying, and studies indicate that teachers intervene in only four percent of bullying incidents; and
Whereas, Although 90 percent of students acknowledge that they do not like witnessing others get bullied, less than 20 percent of students actually try and stop bullying when given the opportunity; and
Whereas, Less than 10 percent of bullied children report bullying incidents, contributing to the fact that half of all bullying incidents go unreported; and
Whereas, There is an absence of working and uniform definitions used by those responsible for identifying and investigating harassment, imitation, and bullying; and
Whereas, Defining upstander and incorporating the term into the mainstream vernacular will promote tolerance and acceptance, demonstrate that individuals have the power to help others being bullied, and ultimately reduce instances of bullying in New Jersey; and
Whereas, Unwillingness to stand up against bullies and report instances of bullying frustrates the State's ability to combat the scourge of bullying; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the Governor and the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to encourage the residents of this State to become an upstander by speaking out when witnessing harassment, intimidation, or bullying; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Governor and the Legislature of the State of New Jersey urge the Oxford University Press and Merriam-Webster, Inc. to add the word upstander to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, respectively.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the head of United States Dictionaries at the Oxford University Press and the editor-in-chief of Merriam-Webster, Inc.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution urges the Oxford University Press and Merriam-Webster, Inc. to add the word upstander to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, respectively.
An upstanding is a person who recognizes a bully-victim situation and acts in a manner that is responsible and helpful to the situation. Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year in the United States and 17 percent of American students report being bullied two to three times a month or more within a school semester. In New Jersey, 7,740 reported incidents of harassment, imitation, and bullying occurred between July 1, 2012 and June 20, 2013. Bullying can affect academic performance by distracting students and even driving them to abandon school altogether to avoid persistent torment by other students. Approximately 160,000 teens skip school everyday because of bullying and one in ten students drop out of school because of persistent bullying.
Many bullying victims feel as if help is infrequent and ineffective. Over 67 percent of students believe that schools respond poorly to bullying and studies indicate that teachers intervene in only four percent of bullying incidents. In part, the problem stems from unwillingness among witnesses to stand up for those being bullied. It is important for this State to encourage the witnesses of bullying to stop being bystanders and start being upstanders by speaking out against abusive and intimidating behavior.
The Governor and the Legislature of the State of New Jersey advocate for the addition of upstander to the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.