20250SR__011398ENR INTRODUCED 2026-05-11 PASSED_SENATE 2026-06-29 ENROLLED 2026-06-30 2025 SR ENR Introduced by Senator Choi (Coauthors: Senators Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Grayson, Grove, Jones, Laird, McNerney, Menjivar, Pérez, Richardson, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, and Wiener) LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Choi COAUTHOR SENATE Allen COAUTHOR SENATE Alvarado-Gil COAUTHOR SENATE Archuleta COAUTHOR SENATE Arreguín COAUTHOR SENATE Cabaldon COAUTHOR SENATE Caballero COAUTHOR SENATE Cortese COAUTHOR SENATE Dahle COAUTHOR SENATE Grayson COAUTHOR SENATE Grove COAUTHOR SENATE Jones COAUTHOR SENATE Laird COAUTHOR SENATE McNerney COAUTHOR SENATE Menjivar COAUTHOR SENATE Pérez COAUTHOR SENATE Richardson COAUTHOR SENATE Seyarto COAUTHOR SENATE Smallwood-Cuevas COAUTHOR SENATE Strickland COAUTHOR SENATE Umberg COAUTHOR SENATE Valladares COAUTHOR SENATE Wiener Relative to the International Day of Peace. the International Day of Peace

WHEREAS, The United Nations was founded in with the primary purpose of maintaining international peace and security and promoting friendly relations among nations; and

WHEREAS, The Charter of the United Nations affirms the commitment of its Member States to resolve disputes by peaceful means and to uphold human dignity and justice; and

WHEREAS, Education, dialogue, and international cooperation have long been recognized as essential foundations for lasting peace; and

WHEREAS, The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 36/67, adopted on November 30, 1981; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 36/67 designated an annual observance devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace among all nations and peoples and the United Nations General Assembly subsequently proclaimed as an International Year of Peace; and

WHEREAS, In adopting Resolution 36/67, the United Nations General Assembly noted with appreciation the initiative taken by the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) at its Sixth Triennial Conference held in San José, Costa Rica, from June 28, 1981, to July 3, 1981, inclusive, to propose an International Day of Peace and an International Year of Peace; and

WHEREAS, The late Chancellor Young-Seek Choue, Founder of the Kyung Hee University System and co-founder of the IAUP, proposed the establishment of a United Nations-designated International Day of Peace and an International Year of Peace at the San José conference; and

WHEREAS, Chancellor Choue’s proposal reflected his vision that institutions of higher education bear a moral responsibility for “Unfolding Cultural Worlds for Humanity,” envisioning a global society in which freedom and peace flourish in harmony with the evolution of human civilization; and

WHEREAS, Following the endorsement by the IAUP, the proposal was transmitted to the United Nations and brought before the General Assembly for consideration; and

WHEREAS, Since its establishment, the International Day of Peace has been observed annually by United Nations Member States, international organizations, educational institutions, and civil society worldwide; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed the observance by designating September of each year as the fixed date of the International Day of Peace and calling for a global ceasefire and nonviolence; and

WHEREAS, The International Day of Peace serves as a global reminder that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, mutual respect, and cooperation; and

WHEREAS, California is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world and is strengthened by the peaceful coexistence of people from many nations, cultures, and faiths; and

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of California seeks to inspire a peace movement from this day forward, not only within the United States, but also throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Chancellor Choue’s contribution to the establishment of the International Day of Peace represents a notable example of global leadership in advancing world peace through education and international cooperation;

now, therefore,

be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby commemorates the United Nations-designated International Day of Peace, honors its enduring purpose, and recognizes the historic contribution of the late Chancellor Choue, Founder of the Kyung Hee University System, in initiating and proposing the concept that led to its establishment by the United Nations; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate encourages all Californians to observe the International Day of Peace by reaffirming their commitment to peace, nonviolence, mutual understanding, and respect for human dignity; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.