Press release issued 3/ 6/ 18
Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, participated in a Senate hearing with survivors and family members from recent school shooting tragedies, as well as education and law enforcement officials, on protecting children from gun violence. Joined at the hearing by several of her Senate Democratic colleagues, Senator Murray heard testimony from students and families who have experienced school shootings, including at Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School (Parkland, FL), Sandy Hook Elementary School (Newtown, CT), and Virginia Tech University (Blacksburg, VA), in addition to a police chief, teacher, and gun violence prevention activist. Senator Murray demanded action to finally address the epidemic of gun violence that has wrecked schools and neighborhoods in Washington state and across the nation.
“Whether it’s raising the age limit in order to purchase certain guns, banning assault weapons, passing universal background checks, or getting the CDC to conduct thorough research, we can and should act. We should act so our kids live in a world where their community isn’t remembered because of a shooting, like Parkland, Newtown, or Columbine. We should act so that other communities traumatized by school shootings—like Marysville in my own state of Washington—and the tens of thousands of kids in schools across our country who are raising their voices know that their leaders hear their calls for action and are committed to doing what’s possible to stop future acts of mass violence. I strongly believe this is a debate we can win—it’s one we must win—and it’s one I’m confident we will win,” said Senator Murray.
“I am here to testify before Congress because Ben, my six year old, can't,” said Francine Wheeler, mother of Ben Wheeler, age 6, who was killed in the 2013 Sandy Hook Shooting. “It is my job as a mother to keep my children safe. It is my responsibility as a citizen to demand the help of our elected public officials.”
“I have dedicated the rest of my life to fighting for the cause of gun safety,” said Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg, age 14, who was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. “I will not stop. No other parent should ever go through what my family and 16 other families are going through.”
Related story from the US Dept. of Education: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Announces Initial Recovery Support for Parkland
Press release dated 3/ 2/ 18
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-education-betsy-devos-announces-initial-recovery-support-parkland
Following the tragic events in Parkland, Florida, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the Department will award Broward County Public Schools a Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) grant. The initial $1,000,000 grant will support recovery efforts at schools in the Broward County Public School system following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead and 14 others injured on February 14, 2018.
"My heart is broken for the students, teachers and families who have had to endure this unthinkable tragedy," said DeVos. "I am committed to helping identify solutions to prevent another tragedy like this one from happening again. The initial SERV funds awarded today will help Broward County provide services to aid in the healing and recovery process."
DeVos added, "I have had the honor to meet several members of the Parkland community over the past days. The strength shown by these students, family members and educators is an inspiration to us all."
Project SERV provides critical support to school districts and institutions of higher education that have experienced a significant traumatic event and need resources to restore the learning environment for students and staff. Examples of activities that may be funded by Project SERV include mental health services; overtime for teachers, counselors and security staff; and payment of substitute teachers.
Secretary DeVos and Department staff have been in frequent contact with state and local education leaders in Florida over the last two weeks as they assess their needs. Last week at the Department, the Secretary hosted many of the parents, students and educators impacted by the Parkland tragedy and also participated with them in a White House discussion on school safety.
More related stories...
Readout of Secretary DeVos' Visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/readout-secretary-devos-visit-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school
Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos met with students, teachers and administrators at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The Secretary was greeted by Principal Ty Thompson, Assistant Principal Denise Reed and Superintendent Robert Runcie. Secretary DeVos continued to the guidance office to talk with school counselors followed by the Media Center to greet support staff who have been temporarily working at Stoneman Douglas to help faculty and students upon their arrival back at school.
Principal Thompson and Secretary DeVos then observed and reflected on the site of the shooting by laying a wreath outside the fence of the building.
Secretary DeVos then arrived at the auditorium for a "Personalization Course" and to talk with students and teachers who were working on individual projects. The school newspaper reporter, broadcasting student and year book photographer accompanied the Secretary throughout the visit.
The program for the visit was developed in conjunction with the requests and recommendations of Principal Thompson to provide minimal disruption on students' first full day back in the school.
NYT: With Gun Control Nearing a Dead End, G.O.P. Turns to ‘School Safety’
WASHINGTON — Republican leaders, turning away from significant gun control legislation, have shifted instead toward measures that would beef up security at the nation’s schools, hoping the push will quell public uproar over the recent massacre in Parkland, Fla.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/07/us/politics/parkland-school-shooting-congress-gun-control.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
WP: The Parkland shooting survivors are children. Remember that when they go viral.
The Florida students are waging battle in some of the nastiest corners of the Internet even while they process a trauma. That’s what makes them so effective — and also especially vulnerable.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/03/08/the-parkland-survivors-are-children-remember-that-when-they-go-viral/
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER & OTHER SOURCES...
UN PRESS RELEASE: General Assembly Adopts Resolution Seeking Alignment of Efforts to End Illicit Diamond Trade, Achieve 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The General Assembly, welcoming progress made by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to break links between the diamond trade and conflict, today adopted a consensus resolution aimed at intensifying that work and aligning it with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (dated 3/ 7/ 18)
https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/ga12002.doc.htm
UN PRESS RELEASE: Briefing Security Council on Democratic Republic of Congo, Special Representative Underscores Need for Credible Electoral Process, Despite Unrest
Discussing the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo today, Security Council members underscored the importance of the holding of fair and credible elections, as the electoral process in that country continued amid continued increasing violence and unrest. (dated 3/ 7/ 18)
https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sc13238.doc.htm
FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER:
Stoking fear among followers is not clever politics but a recipe for self-destruction, warns UN rights chief
In a scathing address to the Human Rights Council, the top United Nations rights official on Wednesday warned political leaders who stoke fear and intolerance among their followers for the sake of their own ambitions are merely copying the behaviour of previous generations of once strong, but ultimately catastrophic, leaders and politicians.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1004402
UN seeks $80 million to support refugees in Ethiopia
Two United Nations humanitarian agencies are jointly seeking $80 million to provide food assistance to refugees in Ethiopia, which hosts the second largest number of those in Africa.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1004422
Victims of Syrian conflict ‘denied any meaningful justice,’ says UN-mandated panel
The brutal conflict in Syria has not only claimed civilians as unintentional victims but has seen all warring parties deliberately target them with complete impunity employing unlawful methods of warfare, a new report by a United Nations-mandated inquiry on the war-ravaged country has said.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/03/1004282
US STATE DEPT: U.S.-Africa Relations: A New Framework
Secretary Tillerson (Mar. 6): "We have an opportunity to be part of Africa’s journey to a stable, prosperous future for its people. Each of these priorities – trade and investment, good governments – governance, respect for human rights, combatting terrorism and instability – have the same guiding principle in mind: to help African countries build the capacity to take care of their own people
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/03/279065.htm
US DEFENSE DEPT: NATO Military Chairman Seeks Constructive Contacts With Russia
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2018 —
The chairman of NATO’s Military Committee would like to see the NATO-Russia Council reinvigorated to address issues pending between the two entities.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1460759/nato-military-chairman-seeks-constructive-contacts-with-russia/
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