Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords wrote in a New York Times guest editorial forcefully about her feelings toward (46) U.S. Senators who voted against the gun control package of bills on April 17. Excerpts from her Op-Ed article are below.
We advocates for anti-bullying legislation are told to tiptoe around lawmakers lest we offend them. Meanwhile the business lobbyists lie about bullying and the specifics of our bill. We get crushed by remaining civil and polite. It’s time for a change.
But Giffords reminds us that elected officials work for us and can be fired when they make wrong decisions. When their self-interest in re-election funds overwhelm doing the right thing for public safety and they coddle the NRA and Gun Owners of America and do their bidding instead. Her remarks are not delicate. Candor from this former politician is welcome.
We take her words as inspiration for all who help the campaign to enact the Healthy Workplace Bill. Giffords is a one-issue advocate now, like us. She spares no wrath when telling the truth. We should be so bold.
Here is some of what she wrote:
Maine state Rep. Sara Gideon, along with six House cosponsors and two Senate cosponsors, introduced HP 845. Details found on the Maine State Page. This is Maine’s first bill, making it bill number 12 across 9 states in 2013!
Watch Connecticut State Coordinator, Dr. Kathy Hermes, and citizen advocate Laura Lillian Dickerson (a friend of a bullied target), on Waterford CT community television.
By a vote of 19-0, HB 591 (amended) passed the New Hampshire House Labor Committee. Next step is a House floor vote.
In New Mexico, on Wed. March 6 at 1:30 pm in Room 309 of the capitol, the House Judiciary Committee holds a public hearing on the bill (HB 234) sponsored by Rep. Mary Helen Garcia. Please attend and support the bill if you can. Regardless, please write to the committee chair and vice-chair, urging them to support the bill. This can be done easily from the NM State Page using our E-Z letter writer.
We are grateful for all the support provided the NM State AFSCME union.
Carrie Clark, California State Co-Coordinator, speaks on March 2, 2013 about workplace bullying and the need for the Healthy Workplace Bill in states.
On Feb. 25, NY Senator Diane Savino introduced S 3863, the companion bill to Assembly bill A 4965.
To date, the bill count is now 11 bills introduced in 8 states.
Visit the NY State Page for bill details and to volunteer to help State Coordinators pass the legislation.
Rep. Ellen Story and Sen. Katherine Clark and 37 other co-sponsors have begun the journey toward enacting the Healthy Workplace Bill as law in the 2013-14 legislative session. The first of two bills — House bill HB 1766 — has been introduced. Credit the very active MA Healthy Workplace Advocates working with the union for state workers, NAGE, for all progress to date.
Visit the MA State Page, track progress, and volunteer to help the State Coordinators by completing the form on the page.
The current count is 8 states carrying 10 bills!!
House Delegate Linda Longstreth re-introduced her version of the Healthy Workplace Bill. It is HB 2054.
This bill becomes the 9th bill introduced in 7 states in 2013 to date. Visit the WV State Page for details and to volunteer to help our State Coordinators.