[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE FORMATION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ANTI-BULLYING CAUCUS

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                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2012

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my appreciation for 
the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus, a new caucus formed to heighten 
congressional awareness and advocate for policies to combat bullying of 
all kinds, from the playground to the elderly care facility. Every 
American is entitled to live, work, and recreate in a safe environment, 
free of fear from threats to his or her physical safety and mental and 
emotional security.
  In recent years we have witnessed an explosion in the number of 
reported and unreported cases of bullying. It is thirteen million 
children will be bullying victims this year alone. It is estimated also 
that 15 percent of American school children skip school to avoid being 
bullied by schoolmates. This is tragic. Children who fear for their 
safety cannot learn. If they do not learn, they will not fulfill their 
potential. If they do not fulfill their position, the nation will be 
deprived of the talent it needs to compete and win in the global 
economy of the 21st century. If our children fall behind because they 
lack a safe learning environment, America falls behind. The 
Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus aims to do something about.
  Further, bullying jeopardizes not only the education of our children, 
but also their very well-being. The term ``bullycide'' has been coined 
to define the act of committing suicide as a result of bullying. This 
continues to be one of the leading causes of death for children under 
the age of 14. In fact, the rate of suicide among adolescents has grown 
more than 50 percent over the last 30 years.
  Mr. Speaker, unfortunately bullying does not end when our children 
move on from the playground. It exists on college campuses, in the 
workplace, online, and even in elderly care facilities. Nearly half of 
Americans have experienced some sort of violence either in their 
workplace, at home, or in their community. Hazing on college campuses 
has been a problem for decades. Five percent of all college students 
admit to being hazed, with 40 percent admitting that a coach or advisor 
was aware of the hazing and did not intervene. This lack of action is 
unacceptable. Our college students must have the ability to focus on 
their work and prepare for their futures, without fear of physical or 
verbal hazing.
  Bullying in the workplace appears in various forms, from narcissistic 
bullying, to physical, to verbal. This abuse in the workplace creates a 
hostile work environment, making the organization vulnerable to 
lawsuits, decreasing morale, and reducing productivity. Thus, bullying 
is not only negatively impacting our future in the global market, but 
also our ability to compete today. In short, bullying has national 
implications and thus requires national attention and action.
  I am proud to be a charter member of the Congressional Anti-Bullying 
Caucus. I thank Representative Honda, the Chair of the Anti-Bullying 
Caucus, for his leadership and look forward to working with him and my 
fellow members of the caucus to reduce, if not end altogether, the 
scourge of bullying in our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and 
online.

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