Download Launch Packet 

Invitation:

Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus Launch

Members: Honda, Charles Bass, Bordallo, Capps, Carnahan, Chu, Hansen Clarke, Conyers, Dold, Ellison, Grijalva, Gutierrez, Hahn, Hastings, Higgins, Holmes-Norton, Jackson Lee, Barbara Lee, Loebsack, Meeks, Pallone Jr., Pascrell, Polis, Rahall, Reyes, Richardson, Sablan, Linda Sanchez, Towns, Waters, Watt.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

As space is limited, please RSVP names here or to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Tuesday, June 26^th, 2012.

I hope you will join us on June 28, 2012, for the launch of the newly formed Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus. Every year, millions of Americans are physically or psychologically attacked on the basis of their skin color, ethnicity, physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, religion, or age. In 2012, at least thirteen million children will be teased, taunted, and physically assaulted by their peers, making bullying the most common form of violence our nation’s youth experience this year. We also recognize that bullying is not confined within classroom walls. As more retirees move into assisted living facilities, experiences with bullying among our elderly communities are also on the rise. This disturbing trend, coupled with a lack of comprehensive federal protections on the issue, underscores the significant role the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus will play in addressing the issue of bullying nationwide.

The Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus will be a premier forum for individuals and advocates from private sector organizations and non-profit agencies, educators, students, and everyday individuals, along with Members of Congress, to proactively respond to issues of bullying – both online and offline. This includes providing a safe environment to hear from individuals who have been involved in different aspects of bullying and also recognizing the importance of addressing external issues that lead to bullying behavior. We all share the responsibility of creating welcoming and inclusive environments to foster a more vibrant, educated, and respectful society. The Caucus will generate positive solutions -- starting with an inclusive, focused dialogue.

Press Conference

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Location: 2237 Rayburn House Office Building

Roundtable Session

Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: 2237 Rayburn House Office Building

Panel One: Overview on bullying behavior and power dynamics

Moderator: Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

Speakers:

Michael Lieberman, Director - Civil Rights Policy Planning Center, Anti-Defamation League

Lara Schwartz, Vice-President of External Affairs, American Association of People with Disabilities

Dr. Joe Wright, Senior Vice-President, American Academy of Pediatrics

Panel Two: Adult Roles and Responsibilities

Moderator: Eliza Byard, Executive Director, Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

Speakers:

Robert Gebbia, Executive Director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Lee Hirsch, director of the film Bully

Tina Long, parent from film Bully

Kelly Vaillancourt, Director of Government Relations & School-Based Psychologist, National Association for School Psychologists

Panel Three: Moving Forward: Efforts to Eradicate Bullying

Moderator: Congressman Mike Honda, Chair, Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus

Speakers:

Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Department of Education

Katy Butler, Teen Activist, led the national effort for MPAA to change their rating of Bully

Lee Cutler, Vice-President, American Federation of Teachers

Lily Eskelsen, Vice-President, National Education Association

Brooke Oberwetter, Associate Manager - Policy Communications, Facebook

Evening Reception and Screening of Bully

Bully profiles the lives of several young teens and their families and their intimate experiences with bullying. Please bring a government-issued ID to the film screening.

Reception: 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Film: 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm

Closing Panel: 6:45 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: Barnard Auditorium

Department of Education

400 Maryland Ave. SW

Washington, DC 20202

Once again, on behalf of the members of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus, I cordially invite you to attend our Caucus launch. We look forward to the insights and experiences you will bring to crafting proactive solutions to bullying on June 28, 2012. Should you have any questions or would like to RSVP for the panel and/or film screening, please contact Fayzan Gowani by phone at (202) 225-2631 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by June 26^th, 2012.  I hope to see you there.