We need national Day of Civility

I believe we Americans can all agree on about 80 percent of any issue our country faces. It's the 20 percent of closely-held beliefs we disagree on which requires respectful give-and-take. Given the unraveling of our civil discourse and our current political climate, I strongly support House Resolution 400 and urge the House to quickly pass this bipartisan, common-sense resolution. Its words are timely, necessary and should be reflected upon by all of us:

Whereas civility involves being nice or polite to others and treating others with respect;

Whereas civil discourse and dialogue are hallmarks of the American political and social systems, and these hallmarks have been jeopardized in recent years by growing division in and coarsening of our political culture;

Whereas 9 out of 10 Americans agree incivility leads to intimidation, threats, harassment, discrimination, violence, and cyberbullying;

Whereas a majority of Americans believe incivility in our politics encourages general incivility in society and deters citizens from engaging in public service;

Whereas racial and religious minorities, the homeless, people with disabilities, the poor, and law enforcement officers report having experienced the most incivility;

Whereas civility training in schools, a national campaign to promote civility, a conscious public effort to practice civility, and a National Day of Civility may combat the threats posed by increasing incivility and distrust in our institutions; and

Whereas July 12th would be an appropriate day to designate as a National Day of Civility: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

(1) supports the designation of a National Day of Civility;

(2) encourages a national campaign to promote civility in our schools, at work, and in our public spaces; and

(3) calls on all Americans to practice civility.

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren

Plano