Nation’s educators encourage lawmakers to help ensure safe and secure learning environments for all students
NEA president urges Congress to put politics aside and do what’s right for students
WASHINGTON - January 30, 2013 -
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on gun violence today. The hearing entitled, What Should America Do About Gun Violence?, featured testimony from individuals and organizations on addressing the gun violence epidemic in America. The National Education Association, along with a host of other organizations, submitted written comments for the record. Calling the hearing an important step forward in developing a comprehensive plan to address preventing gun violence, NEA issued the following statement from the president of the Association, Dennis Van Roekel:
“Today's Senate hearing is an important first step for Congress to take necessary action on ensuring our nation’s schools are safe and secure and addressing our national epidemic of gun violence that has taken far too many lives, including the children and educators of Sandy Hook. We strongly believe there must be a comprehensive approach based on input from communities and educators that includes expanding and improving mental health services, investing in infrastructure and critical programs in schools and campuses and commonsense gun safety measures like universal background checks for gun purchases and a ban on military style assault weapons.
“Moving forward, we encourage our elected leaders to put politics aside and work together to help prevent the further senseless loss of life and ensure America's students have the safe and secure schools they deserve.”
To read more about NEA’s position and read our letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, please visit: http://bit.ly/XQ7gtZ
Three Keys to School Safety and Gun Violence Prevention: http://www.nea.org/home/54092.htm
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
CONTACT: Miguel A. Gonzalez (202) 822-7823, firstname.lastname@example.org