The Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus
On Thursday, June 28th I joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in the House of Representatives to launch the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus. Below is a copy of my remarks:
“I represent the northern suburbs of Chicago and meet regularly with my Education and Parent’s Advisory Boards. It is troubling, that time and time again students, educators, and parents share with me the bullying that is occurring each and every day. Whether it is cyber bullying, youth bullying, mocking someone because of a learning disability, or more- it is wrong and we must raise awareness and address this real problem. First and foremost, we must surround our children with positive role models and safe activities. I am also a member of the Mentoring Caucus and I believe that when people volunteer and spend time with our students, we are sending them a positive message. As an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster, I would encourage parents, neighbors, family members, teachers, peers, and more to get involved and demonstrate that bullying is wrong. Let’s continue to work together to raise awareness and make sure we reserve this disturbing trend in our schools today.
“We know that bullying impacts our children’s performance and success inside and outside of the classroom – not to mention the impact bullying has on our student’s actually attending school. No child should ever have to fear going to school. By elevating the discussion in Congress, this Caucus will take the anti-ullying conservation to the next level. I thank my colleagues for bringing this Caucus together and look forward to working with all my colleagues in the House to address this serious issue.“
Jac Charlier
10:00 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Well done Congressman Dold....from one Eagle Scout to another.
marilyn
8:14 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
as long as we are pushed to be 'tolerant' of everything and everyone, the bullies will continue to have the power. Nothing will change, no matter how much we educate the non-bullies. Bullies don't really care, so talking to the victims about how wrong bullying is seems kind of pointless, although I am glad that it is being taken seriously. OUr schools generally have a liberal-leaning slant, which means it's all about tolerance and putting up with other's behavior, including the bullies. They know this, so they really don't have any reason to change their ways. Schools generally say, in their policies, that you can't fight back. Which means the bully wins, before they even do anything.
LMJ
10:00 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I agree. It's just another talking point that sounds good. It happens all the time. Pick a subject that people can feel passionate about, in this case bullying, pretend that if you throw money at it and get a few important people to agree with you, and BOOM. You have yourself a little money hungry cause that people can feel good about joining, because who is going to be against fighting bullies? Really, in itself, it is bullying!
Yawn... same old, same old. Maybe someday, people will wake up and look around them.
John
7:32 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Marilyn,
Good point. An example of this 'tolerence' is the LGBT agenda that has, through bullying forced themselves into our schools and government and now into the public sector.
Stuart Senescu
10:14 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I suggest Congressional members adhere to these principles also.
McCloud
10:52 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
We have record unemployment, prolonged period of 1% GDP, record number of foreclosures, a credit downgrade, record debt accumulating at an alrming rate, and Congress is concerned about bullies and Roger Clemons. Wow, for folks who can't see the pathetic part of that, you are lost in the weeds.
Ellie
7:49 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
McCloud, you have it right. What are you "taking to the next level," Congressman Dold? (More Hate Speech laws?) This problem is NOT your province in Washington, DC. Deal with it only as a parent in you community. Bullying should be handled by local school boards, parents, and classroom teachers. By the way, where in the United States Constitution does it even mention "EDUCATION"? Nowhere! This is another power that belongs to the states and to the people (10th Amendment).
Lennie Jarratt
10:28 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
There are many bullies in the public education system and a few of them are actually students.
Guido McGinty
9:49 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Why is this an issue for the Central State?
dold's supporter
1:07 pm on Sunday, July 29, 2012
Congressman Dold please...make sure Democrats don't find out about you not paying your employees at Rose Pest any overtime, ok? Those employees are your serfs and should be happy they are being paid at all but now, all of a sudden they want overtime? Ha! Tough luck. They are agents for Democrats who want to make yu look bad but everyone knows those overtime money belong to you, CEO and President of Rose Pest. They try to bully you into paying overtime...don't give up Congressman Dold, we are with you, wait for a judge to tell you to pay...they have no $ for lawyers to sue you so don't worry, don't pay, don't talk about it and let them all eat cake!