[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13774]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND BULLYING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 
discuss an important issue that affects too many young people across 
this country. As many students look forward to the new school year, 
there are too many who fear returning because their school environment 
is made unsafe by bullying. Bullying is not a rite of passage and no 
child should be afraid to go to school. An unsafe school environment, 
including one made unsafe by daily bullying and harassment, leads to 
increased absences and decreased graduation rates.
  A majority of parents, students, and educators report that bullying 
and harassment are issues of major concern. To combat this problem, I 
have introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act which would help 
schools and school districts develop and improve anti-bullying and 
anti-harassment initiatives. Fortunately, others are also beginning to 
address this issue and are seeking ways to address bullying and make 
schools safer.
  One effort to combat bullying in our schools is the ``be a STAR (Show 
Tolerance And Respect) program'' being led by World Wrestling 
Entertainment, WWE, in collaboration with the Creative Coalition, the 
National Education Association's Health Information Network, NEA HIN, 
Stomp Out Bullying, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and 
the National School Climate Center amongst others. This program 
provides teachers across America with a comprehensive toolset to teach 
children an anti-bullying message. `be a STAR' is providing an easily 
accessible teaching aid written by the NEA HIN and educator Dr. Fran 
Prolman that meets National Education Standards. This teaching aid is 
available at no cost to educators and is designed to promote positive 
and equitable social environments for students within and beyond the 
classroom setting. The alliance is also offering a ``Start Your Own Be 
a STAR'' Chapter toolkit encouraging students to spread the anti-
bullying message in their schools and communities. The be a STAR 
Alliance has also been instrumental in encouraging students to seek out 
resources or proper intervention to help protect victims of bullying 
and other forms of intolerance through its `be a STAR' pledge.
  I had the opportunity to participate in anti-bullying events with WWE 
Superstars Rey Mysterio and Eve, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio 
Villaraigosa, American Idol Winner Jordan Sparks, actor Tim Daly, 
Dancing with the Stars' Chelsie Hightower and many more. I joined them 
at the Algin Sutton Community Center to discuss with children the issue 
of bullying and to deliver a strong anti-bullying message of tolerance 
and respect. The reaction from the more than 500 children and families 
that participated was very positive. Through its participation and 
leadership in the alliance, WWE has demonstrated a real commitment to 
raise awareness about bullying, and is working in local communities 
around the country and overseas to combat bullying in our schools.
  The anti-bullying movement has a new champion in the `be a STAR' 
Alliance, co- founded by WWE and The Creative Coalition and I want to 
commend them for the great work they are doing to promote equality for 
all people regardless of age, race, religion and sexual orientation.

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