OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
STATE OF OREGON
PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: A world without abuse and violence is a dream we all share, and

WHEREAS: Any form of mistreatment of another is abuse and all people have the moral and legal Right to Live Free of Abuse and Violence, and

WHEREAS: We recognize that respect for ourselves and others is key to developing healthy relationships, and

WHEREAS: Anger is a feeling, abuse and/or violence is a choice – both violence and nonviolence are learned behaviors often taught at a very young age, and

WHEREAS: Verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical violence to a person’s self worth, creating scars that are carried for the rest of his/her life, and

WHEREAS: We acknowledge that each of us must come to understand that it is within our personal power to choose not to use abuse and/or violence to resolve conflict, and

WHEREAS: We, together with communities around the country and overseas, recognize the Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project’s Pledge is an effective tool and a key piece of the puzzle in abuse and violence prevention education, and

WHEREAS: Let us all join Hands to unite as a family, community, state, nation and world by pledging, both privately and publicly: “I WILL NOT USE MY HANDS OR MY WORDS FOR HURTING MYSELF OR OTHERS”

NOW,THEREFORE, I, Ted Kulongoski, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim October 16-22, 2005 to be HANDS & WORDS ARE NOT FUR HURTING WEEK in Oregon and encourage all citizens to join in this observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Oregon to be affixed. Done at the State Capitol in the City of Salem in the State of Oregon on this day, _______

Governor’s Signature _____________________________

Secretary of State Signature _______________________________

Return to previous page.