WHEREAS, on April 20th, 1999, a school shooting
took place at Columbine High School in Colorado - the terror ended in the
death of fifteen students, a teacher, and the suicides of the shooters;
several students were wounded; Columbine was real; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2007, the Virginia Tech shooting,
the nations deadliest school shooting - the terror ended in the death of
thirty-two individuals, including the suicide of the shooter; several students
were wounded; Virginia Tech was real; and
WHEREAS, these tragedies left an unforgettable mark in
U.S. history, and in our hearts and memories; bullies, victims, terrorists
- the cause and effects are related and are real; and
WHEREAS, educators, parents and community members recognize
the warnings and lessons to be taken from these tragedies and the importance
of being proactive in preventing the beginnings of such destructive behavior
that is in our schools today; bullying…school terrorism…is real; and
WHEREAS, many children are faced with terror, daily,
through harassment, assaults and verbal threats in our schools, on the
playground, on school busses; for many children school is a battlefield;
thus, a source of terrorism; and
WHEREAS, educators must come together with parents and
community members to safeguard schools for our children, and, through our
recognition of the serious issues that face them each day, offer our children
a school environment that provides a positive, safe and secure learning
climate – where all children feel they belong, and know that they are respected
for who they are - promoting excellence in citizenship; and one that includes
a bully prevention program to help ensure fair and effective discipline;
and
WHEREAS, educators, parents and community members have
publicly expressed concern about the war in our schools – the bullying
of our children; it is important that we acknowledge and heighten awareness
about this serious issue, and the negative effects of bullying, including
the long-term damage it can cause; far too often bullying results in “bullycide”
a suicide attributed to bullying; and
WHEREAS, it is the personal responsibility of all citizens
to protect our children; it is time for us to stand up, speak out and take
action against bullying; and
WHEREAS, in remembrance of Columbine High School, Virginia
Tech and the loved ones that have been lost to the tragic effects of bullying,
and bullycide, we must persevere in our year-round battle against bullying,
and it is appropriate that we designate September 29, 2008 and September
29th thereafter, as Bullycide Awareness Day.
