[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING THE CITY OF DEARBORN'S ``RESPONSE TO BULLYING BEHAVIOR''

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2011

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city-wide 
response to bullying behavior in Dearborn, Michigan. Today, September 
14, 2011, marks the first annual anti-bullying day in Dearborn. I am 
proud to have a city like this in my district, where they will not sit 
back and allow bullying behavior to go unnoticed and unpunished.
  On this day, Dearborn Public Schools are also celebrating Diversity 
Day, a day for accepting and respecting everyone for who they are, and 
treating them all equally; a day to bring our wonderful community 
together. I ask, what better day is there for acknowledging the fight 
against bullying? Bullying doesn't only create rifts between families, 
students, and schools, but it is also detrimental to our local 
communities. We must not let individuals or groups be allowed to engage 
in misbehavior without punishment, rather it is important to send the 
message that such behavior will not be tolerated in our communities. 
Community leaders holding a public forum such as this one to raise 
awareness on the societal costs of bullying is an important first step 
to combating this problem.
  Bullying can take on various forms and affect children and young 
adults of all backgrounds. With the vast use of online resources by 
children and young adults, more and more young people are being 
emotionally and physically victimized on a daily basis. In order to 
stop bullying we all need to do our part, this includes both students 
and teachers maintaining a vigilant lookout for this abhorrent 
behavior. Additionally, it is crucial that the victims of bullying have 
strong moral support from friends and family alike. Aside from lending 
emotional support, parents, friends, peers and teachers have a 
responsibility to report these incidents to their school in order to 
help prevent further incidents.
  I commend the effort being made by the Dearborn community to end 
bullying. This is the all important first step in a fight to keep our 
children safe from the ridicule and abuse of bullies. I ask all of my 
colleagues to rise and join me in recognizing the magnificent work 
being done by the entire community of Dearborn, Michigan on the 
occasion of the first annual anti-bullying day.

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