Bill Text: NJ AR99 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges adoption of "Kindness All Around" symbol as National Symbol of Kindness.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [AR99 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR99-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Urges adoption of "Kindness All Around" symbol as National Symbol of Kindness.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the adoption of the "Kindness All Around" symbol as the National Symbol of Kindness.
Whereas, Studies show that performing acts of kindness yields physical and psychological health benefits, such as a stronger immune system, lower rates of depression, increased happiness, and an overall sense of well-being; and
Whereas, Research studies also indicate that kindness is contagious, meaning that people who experience kindness from others are in turn more likely to behave altruistically; and
Whereas, There is a real need in our schools, our communities, and our nation for a caring attitude and acts of kindness toward our neighbors; and
Whereas, For millennia, humans have employed pictures and symbols to communicate feelings and ideas, and there are clearly identifiable symbols for the attributes of peace, love, and happiness in contemporary culture; and
Whereas, Our culture lacks a widely-recognized symbol for the characteristic of kindness; and
Whereas, The Transitional Kindergarten students of Tropical Elementary School on Merritt Island, Florida have designed the "Kindness All Around" symbol to raise awareness of the need for kindness in daily life; and
Whereas, The "Kindness All Around" symbol consists of a heart shape encircled by interconnected arrows, suggesting an infinite cycle of kindness; and
Whereas, Over 5,000 people from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have petitioned their State Legislatures and the United States Congress to declare the "Kindness All Around" symbol as our National Symbol of Kindness; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and in the public interest, for this House to respectfully urge the U.S. Congress to adopt this unique emblem as our National Symbol of Kindness; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the U.S. Congress to adopt the "Kindness All Around" symbol as our National Symbol of Kindness.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Minority Leaders of both chambers of Congress, each member of Congress elected from New Jersey, and the principal of Tropical Elementary School, Merritt Island, Florida.
STATEMENT
This resolution requests the United States Congress to designate the "Kindness All Around" symbol as the National Symbol of Kindness.
Scientific research demonstrates that individuals who perform acts of kindness toward others reap both physical and psychological health benefits. Additional studies suggest that individuals who have been on the receiving end of kind actions are more likely to act altruistically toward other people.
Students in the Transitional Kindergarten class at Tropical Elementary School on Merritt Island, Florida created the "Kindness All Around" symbol as part of a classroom service learning initiative called Together Kind. As part of this project, the students designed four options for a symbol representing the trait of kindness. The goal of this project was to create an easily-recognizable symbol for kindness, much the same way contemporary culture has symbols for love and peace. The class utilized email and social media to ask the public to vote on the best kindness symbol. Over one thousand respondents from 25 states and two countries voted, with the "Kindness All Around" symbol determined as the winner. The symbol, a heart shape encircled by interconnected arrows, is the centerpiece of the students' public campaign to share the symbol and have communities and states designate the "Kindness All Around" symbol as the official symbol of kindness. Furthermore, over 5,000 people from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have signed a petition urging Congress to adopt the "Kindness All Around" symbol as the National Symbol of Kindness.
