Still going strong...

While we are still waiting for details on the signing of Jeff's Law, that doesn't mean that we are just twiddling our thumbs.  I have received an invitation to New York to speak at the National Cyber-bullying Conference being hosted by Wired Safety.  This is a wonderful opportunity to network with other organizations from around the country about plans to take Jeff's Law to the national level.  I am hearing a great many plans from districts around the state for implementation, but it appears that the looming budget cuts will impact funding for training efforts along with everything else.  I think it would be short-sighted to imagine that the state will carry out any training at all if we don't make the connections, and if the public isn't solidly behind the effort every step of the way.  So I am off to New York to spread the word, and ask for help.  Keep us in your prayers.

Hugs,

Debbie

What was I thinking?

I can't believe that I forgot to mention this...

Jeff's Bill was passed by the Senate 40-0.

Now we can start making plans for a bill signing!

 

A Literary Ending...

     It's almost 2 o'clock on Thursday morning.  I dropped off the girls, and hobbled into the house.  It is so good to be home again.  Bob and William are sleeping peacefully, and my head is filled will all that was said and done between the time we rolled out last Sunday and this morning.  I feel oddly detached, as if this had all happened to someone else, or maybe it is more like the way J.K. Rowlings felt as she penned the final words of the last Harry Potter book.  A tremendous sense of relief, but also a sadness at letting go of something that has been such a part of your life for so long that you can't even remember what life was like before this all began.  I read in an article somewhere that Jo Rowlings always knew how she planned to end the final book.  It must be wonderful to know what will happen at the end, or even to know when you will reach it.  When I started down this path, I had no idea where it would take me, and never imagined that the journey would change my life in so many ways.  Like Harry, I have been blessed with friends that have fought with me, and for me, every step of the way.  I have had the wisdom of many wonderful "teachers" to turn to for guidance and reassurance when I lost my way.  Or as Dumbledore would say, "Help will always be given to those that ask for it."  All through the long drive home, my head was so filled with thoughts of where to go on from here that I could well imagine how poor Harry suffered from the scar that burned into his forehead when Lord Voldemort was angry or upset.  I finally just forced everything out of my head as we all did in the early days and weeks after Jeff's death.  At the time, I would read the Harry Potter series aloud to Bob and William for hours on end.  There were times when I was so hoarse from reading that I could barely speak above a whisper, and then Bob would take the book from me, and he would begin to read instead.  We kept William there in the bed with us, as if keeping him close could somehow protect him from the Malfoys and the Voldemorts of the world.  In my mind, it was almost as if Jeff had become Harry.  He was the one that introduced our family to the "wizarding world," and it was never difficult to imagine Jeff battling Trolls or befriending house elves in the company of Ron and Hermione.  I guess it wouldn't take a genius to figure out who would fill Tom Riddle's role, or maybe he is more of a Draco Malfoy since I cannot see Robert ever measuring up to Voldemort's potential... even as a villain.  I am more inclined to think of him as an arrogant, little git; too filled with his own importance to realize what a pathetic weasel he really is without a group of sniveling toadies to puff up his head and fight his battles for him.

I guess I could challenge J.K. Rowlings when it comes to the over-extended metaphor so the best thing is probably to finish this the same way Jo finished The Deathly Hallows...  "All was well!"

The Clock is ticking down...

After a long day of filming for Good Morning America, the first wave of Students for Safer Schools hit the road for Tallahassee around 7 pm.  BTW the segment will not air on Tuesday morning as expected.  It seems that some scantily-clad photos of Miley Cyrus have surfaced, so we have been bumped to Wednesday so that Disney's squeaky clean "Hannah Montana" can do some much needed damage control so that Mickey doesn't give her the boot...  It was an uneventful day in the Senate, but the one bright spot was the news that progress was made over the weekend on the budget, possibly freeing up more time to consider the twelve pages of bills on the agenda.  Reinforcements are on the road for tomorrow's hearings...  I'll keep you posted!

Hugs,

Debbie J.

One step closer...

The withdrawal card signed by Senator Wise was signed by Senator Lisa Carlton today, and now its in the hands of Senate President, Ken Pruitt.  Who would ever have thought the process would be this tricky!  It seems like we are moving by inches, but at least we are moving in the right direction...  Everyone keep those prayers and emails coming....

Hugs, Debbie

Jeff's Bill Passes Florida House of Representatives 112-0

    Following a long week of late filed amendments, HB669 was finally brought to the floor for a vote.  It was touch and go right up to the last minute.  It was certainly a heated debate, and it is always difficult when you can see the right on both sides of the issue.  I hope everyone that reads this understands that it has nothing to do with our being opposed to protecting ANY child for any reason.  We simply must remove the focus from the victim of bullying, and place it on the BEHAVIOR of the BULLY.  One Representative (who was actually in favor of adding the hate crimes statute) made the point that when a child reports to someone at school that they are being bullied, the first question they are asked is "Why?"  This is our point exactly!  The very question "Why?" implies that the victim did something to bring this on themselves.  Does the bully's reason actually matter in the whole scope of things?  Should we give greater or lesser consequences based on the justification the bully gives for their actions, or should ALL children receive equal protection?  Should a bullied child be subjected to the humiliation of an interrogation to determine if the category they fall into entitles them to full protection, some protection, or what most children receive...no protection?  As was stated so well by Representative Bogdanoff, it wasn't until we stopped focusing on the victim that we started putting rapists away.  Once we stop all the haggling over why a child is being bullied, and start looking at why certain children exhibit bullying behavior, we will finally take the first steps toward solving this crisis in our schools. 

     Just two more hurdles in the Senate to go...  Keep praying!

Hugs,

Debbie   

BILL UPDATE

Good News—The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act,  has been placed on the Special Order Calendar for the House Session for tomorrow,  Wednesday, April 16.

 

Jeff's Bill Passes Schools & Learning Council

Hooray for Nick, Gary, and Ellyn!  Jeff's Bill passed the House Schools & Learning Council by unanimous vote today!  The news from the Senate is still positive, and I am hopeful that this will be our year in spite of the lean times ahead for our schools...  On a side note, the districts are preparing for a major financial hit.  I am surprised that we aren't reading more about this in the media.  If you have ever been tempted to write to your elected representatives, now is the time to do it!  Schools are the heart of our community, and we have to find the resources to keep them functioning.

Hugs,

Debbie

Orlando Magic!

We have passed the first hurdle in the Senate with a unanimous vote in favor of Jeff's Bill!  While we still have a way to go, this is a wonderful beginning.  Immediately after writing this, I am off to do an interview with Fox News in Orlando.  I have been getting calls from all over the state, and everyone has the same message.  "We are praying that this will be the year!"

 

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Things are looking up...

Jeff's Bill HB669 was passed by unanimous vote by the K-12 Education Committee!  Even more exciting was the news that Senator Wise has announced that he will NOT prevent Jeff's Bill from being heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee this year.  A huge "Thank You" to the Florida Republican Women's Network for their support, and to all those wonderful children, parents, grandparents, and friends that have worked so hard to help make Jeff's Dream a reality.  If we all work together, we truly can change the world.  I love you, Kata, and Ansy and I send "cookies?"

Love, Mom

The Adventure Begins...

Jeff's Bill #669 will be heard by the K-12 Education Committee tomorrow morning.  Due to FCAT testing and short notice, it will just be a few of us making the trip.  We will leave at 3:00 a.m. and drive straight to the Capitol!  While we are there, I am hoping to visit our many supporters in the House and Senate, and sign up as many co-sponsors as possible.  The Florida Republican Women's Network have taken on the task of helping us pass Jeff's Bill this session, and I am thrilled and humbled to have this wonderful group on board.  This is the YEAR!

Hugs,

Debbie

On a wing and a prayer...

I am thrilled to be back home after what proved to have been a very productive trip to D.C.  The N.O.Y.S. Conference provided some invaluable "how to" information on how we can better utilize the young people that make up the heart of Students for Safer Schools.  We made new friends and contacts, and had the opportunity to meet with those that have supported us from the beginning.  It was personally gratifying to see how well the strategies that we have developed mirrors other successful programs from around the nation.

The encouragement we received was overwhelming, and that alone would have made the trip a success.  We topped off the trip with a meeting with Senator Martinez's legislative assistant, and as I passed over a copy of Jeff's Bill, I felt that I was placing Jeff's legacy in good hands.  Thank you again to everyone that pitched in with donations to help fund this mission for peace in our schools.  Thank you for being part of realizing Jeff's Dream of making the world a better place.

Hugs,

Debbie 

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Remembering Megan

I had the chance last night to exchange emails with Tina Meier.  Her daughter, Megan, was lost to suicide as a result of a cruel Internet hoax carried out by the mother of one of Megan's classmates.  As a tribute to Megan, Wired Safety, has started a campaign to have 1 million people sign a pledge against cyber-bullying.  I am honored to play a part in helping meet this goal.  I will get more information about this posted as soon as possible, and in the meantime, if you see me wearing a black and white polka-dot ribbon, you will know that it is in tribute to Megan.

Hugs,

Debbie