[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO DREW MINARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize West Des Moines 
Crossroads Park Elementary student Drew Minard, for his brave efforts 
to combat bullying in his school, state, and country.
  Bullying is a problem for millions of school children every day in 
every corner of America. As adults we are well aware of the damage and 
pain that bullying causes, but it is the children of our country that 
live through this grim reality every day. Eleven-year-old Drew Minard 
understands the state of bullying firsthand and is using his talents, 
perspective and his big heart to motivate students across Iowa to 
change this reality, rather than accept it.
  The 2012 documentary ``Bully'' is being viewed by millions as a 
heartbreaking look into our nation's bullying problem, but to Drew the 
film was his call to action. Drew knows that the solution to bullying 
does not lie with a select few, but instead lies with each and every 
one of us. When it comes to bullying, as Drew says, ``There is no such 
thing as an innocent bystander.''
  To get his fellow students actively involved in combating bullying, 
Drew launched a student-led bully prevention initiative called ABC, or 
Anti-Bullying Club, for sixth-graders at Crossroads Park. ABC currently 
boasts roughly 30 members that gather to write and perform anti-
bullying lessons that are presented at school assemblies. ABC also 
creates and places posters around the school to encourage students to 
speak out against bullying and report acts of bullying to an authority 
figure immediately when witnessed. The members of ABC are also readying 
a ``Declaration of Non-Bullying'' that they hope every student will 
sign to affirm their commitment to putting a stop to bullying in their 
school. Drew readily acknowledges that bullying is not just specific to 
Crossroads Park, and he plans to expand ABC to other elementary schools 
in his area and beyond.
  Mr. Speaker, the actions Drew has shown to a cause greater than 
himself speaks volumes of his selfless commitment to assisting others. 
Drew is a testament to the high quality character and unwavering work 
ethic instilled in Iowans both young and old. I know I speak for all of 
my colleagues in the United States Congress in congratulating Drew, 
thanking his supportive family, and thanking all the members of ABC, 
and the staff of Crossroads Park Elementary, for their life-changing 
efforts now and in the future.

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