Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as "National Leading Entertainment and Arts through Diversity Month" or "National LEAD Month", and empowering underrepresented communities to take the lead within the entertainment industry.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 191 Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as ‘‘National Leading Entertainment and Arts through Diversity Month’’ or ‘‘National LEAD Month’’, and empowering underrepresented communities to take the lead within the entertainment industry. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 1, 2023 Ms. CLARKE of New York (for herself, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Ms. MENG, and Mr. CASTRO of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as ‘‘National Leading Entertainment and Arts through Diversity Month’’ or ‘‘National LEAD Month’’, and em- powering underrepresented communities to take the lead within the entertainment industry. Whereas there should be more minority representation on and off the screen, and in main decision-making roles that ad- vance equity across industries; Whereas marginalized communities are defined as commu- nities who experience discrimination and exclusion on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or identity, age, and ability; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:33 Mar 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR191.IH HR191 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 191 IH Whereas oftentimes, these sectors are erased from conversa- tions, yet their distinctive perspectives and lived experi- ences become the basis for more authentic storytelling; Whereas women only make up roughly 20 percent of directors and 26 percent of screenwriters; Whereas all minority groups make up 25 percent of directors and 25 percent of screenwriters; Whereas White film directors are more than twice as likely as minority directors to helm a film with a budget of $100,000,000 or more; Whereas roughly 18 percent of films produced by major stu- dios feature LGBT+ stories; Whereas women over 30 make up 29 percent of female char- acters and women over 40 make up 16 percent of female characters; Whereas 12 percent of television series characters are dis- abled, and most portrayals are negative; Whereas it is critical to recognize the social and cultural im- pact of diversity on television and the ramifications of underrepresentation; Whereas allyship campaigns and programs are pivotal to the success of diversity programs, and yet are currently un- dervalued in diversity, equity, and inclusion training; Whereas diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are impactful tools for establishing and maintaining a diverse and motivated workforce; Whereas 69 percent of executives rate diversity and inclusion as an important issue; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:24 Mar 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR191.IH HR191 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 191 IH Whereas corporations identified as more diverse and inclusive are 35 percent more likely to outperform their competi- tors; Whereas diverse management teams lead to 19 percent high- er revenues; and Whereas adequate representation on television has been over- looked for far too long, and, regardless of industry, we must remain dedicated to inclusion: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) expresses support for the designation of 2 ‘‘National Leading Entertainment and Arts through 3 Diversity Month’’; 4 (2) supports the purposes and ideals of Na- 5 tional Leading Entertainment and Arts through Di- 6 versity Month, which emphasizes the importance of 7 increased representation across the industry; 8 (3) promotes efforts to increase allyship aware- 9 ness campaigns among individuals and organizations 10 in the United States, specifically within the enter- 11 tainment industry; 12 (4) champions diversity, equity, and inclusion 13 programs, including but not limited to, implicit-bias 14 training, common ground training, facilitated con- 15 versation, cultural sensitivity, community engage- 16 ment, and antioppression training in the entertain- 17 ment industry; 18 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:24 Mar 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR191.IH HR191 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 191 IH (5) supports partnerships with organizations fo- 1 cused on increasing diversity by providing 2 mentorship, granting scholarships, and committing 3 to creating change; and 4 (6) encourages the people of the United States 5 to observe National Leading Entertainment and 6 Arts through Diversity Month with appropriate 7 awareness programs and campaigns for underrep- 8 resented communities in the entertainment industry. 9 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:24 Mar 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR191.IH HR191 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS