Advocacy

Project
MELISSA LOCKLEAR

Stop Bullying!

Petition byMarissa Whitley

To be delivered toThe United States

House of Representatives

Stop the bullying in schools!

There are currently 13 signatures and we

need 50 in order for this petition to be
approved!

PETITION BACKGROUND
Marissa

was affected by bullying in

school as a child and suffered from
depression towards the point of
cutting herself and was sent to the
hospital.

Marissa

does not want to see other

kids go through what she went
through and wants to see bullying
put to a stop in the school systems.

September 23, 2016

The Honorable Richard Hudson

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Representative Hudson:
Stop Bullying! A petitioned signed by concerned citizens in NC, who have been affected by
bullying and have suffered from depression, some have cut themselves, been hospitalized,
have low self-esteem, committed suicide, and when becoming an adult some will live the
life of crime as ways to combat their deep aggressions. Bullying in NC School System
needs to stop, so I was wondering what your thoughts on this petition are.
Bullying is of dominant interest to me because I am a parent of a senior in High School and
will be graduating in December with my bachelors in Social Work. I am primarily
concerned about bullying because it lowers the self-esteem of its victims and contemplates
suicidal ideations and some do follow through with suicidal attempts and some actually
succeed.
I realize this may not fully represent your viewpoint. Therefore, I will look forward to
your reply expressing your opinions, and your current stance on the issue.
Thank you for your consideration of my viewpoint on this matter. I believe it is an
important issue, and would like to see the legislation pass this petition to ensure effective
educational services for the students involved.
Sincerely,
Melissa Marie Locklear
10441 Parliament Ave.,
Laurinburg, NC 28352
Email: mml011@bravemail.uncp.edu

Letter from Congressman Hudson

September30,2016

Mrs.MelissaLocklear
10441ParliamentAve
Laurinburg,NC28352-2476

DearMrs.Locklear:

Thankyouforcontactingmeregardingbullyinginourschools.Iappreciatehearingfromyouonthisimportant
issueandshareyourconcernsabouttheeffectsbullyinghasonourstudents.

Toomanytimes,wehaveheardtheterriblestoriesabouttheimpactsofbullying.Ourschoolsshouldbesafe
placesforstudentstolearn,andnostudentshouldeverfeelvictimizedinschool.Inordertoaddressthisissuewe
mustprovidestudents,parents,andschoolofficialswiththeresourcesandsupporttheyneed,includingaccessto
counselingandpreventionprograms.Bullyingofanykindhasnoplaceinourschoolsandstudentsthatengage
inthisactivityshouldbedealtwithappropriately.

Excellenceineducationistherightofeverychild,andIamworkinginCongresstomakethisareality.Ibelieve
wemustchampionanapproachthatempowersthestates,locallyelectedschoolboards,andmostimportantly,
parentswhoknowbesthowtoprovideaqualityeducationtoourchildren.ThiswillallowstateslikeNorth
Carolinatousevaluableresourcesonthespecificissuesthattheyneedtoaddressinsidetheirschoolsandcan
betterthelivesofalloftheirstudents.

Again,thankyoufortakingthetimetoshareyourviews.Youropinionsareimportant,sopleasecontinueto
write,call,oremailmewithanyconcernsyoumayhaveinthefuture.Formoreinformationonissuesimpacting
NorthCarolinians,pleasevisitourwebsiteathttp://hudson.house.govandsignupforourweeklynewsletter.

Sincerely,

RichardHudson
MemberofCongress