NC State Representative Rick Glazier joined PAX/Real Solutions to Gun Violence, North Carolina State Superintendent Dr. June St. Clair Atkinson, and Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Frank Till Friday, January 29, 11:00 at CC Schools central Services, for the launch of the SPEAK UP Campaign in Cumberland County

This two-year initiative, funded by the ESA Foundation, will provide an innovative means of keeping young people in Cumberland County safe from weapon-related violence in and outside of school.

In the 2009-2010 Session General Assembly, Rep. Glazier was a key sponsor of the School Violence Prevention Act, which provides clear guidance to teachers, administration and staff on violence prevention policies and procedure and mandates protection for all students regardless of their real or perceived differences. The measure was enacted into law

“The School Violence Prevention Act was about protecting our children when they are in school, said Rep. Glazier.  And, the SPEAK UP campaign helps to do the same thing for threats of weapon-related violence. We may never be able to walk a mile in a vulnerable child’s shoes, but we can make his or her walk easier. It seems to me that it the quintessential job of a legislator, is to make daily life easier, particularly for those students whose life might otherwise be filled with violence, hatred, and harassment”.

Research shows that students often know about weapon threats before they occur, but may not tell others because of social pressure or fear of physical retaliation.  The SPEAK UP Campaign empowers young people to report threats of weapon-related violence, either by talking to a trusted adult or by anonymously calling or texting the SPEAK UP weapon threats hotline.

The SPEAK UP campaign was created in 2002 by PAX, a non-profit organization working to prevent gun violence among children and families. The centerpiece of the campaign is the anonymous SPEAK UP hotline, which Cumberland County students can call or text to report weapon threats 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since its inception in 2002, 1-866-SPEAK-UP has received over 35,000 calls nationwide.  The SPEAK UP Campaign also features a mass media campaign including outdoor advertising and television and radio public service announcements.

For more information about PAX/Real Solutions to Gun Violence and Speak Up!, click here.

For news coverage of this event, click here.

RALEIGH – NC State Representatives Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) and Grier Martin (D-Wake) met yesterday with Mr. Kevin Bruch to discuss suggestions on what North Carolina can do to provide more support for families and service members.  Bruch is with the Southeast Region State Liaison Office, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, representing Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

“Our military personnel are called to do things for our nation which are beyond our imagination, especially in high times of deployment,” said Rep. Glazier. “When our military families move into North Carolina, it is our responsibility, our honor, to help provide excellent schools, unwavering community support, and the best, continuous quality of life for them.”

Since many issues surrounding quality of life and family well-being can only be addressed by states, the USA4 Military Families Initiative, working through the Department of Defense-State Liaison Office (DSLO), was created. It is working to engage and educate state policymakers, not-for-profit associations, concerned business interests, and other state leaders about the needs of Military members and their families. By developing state-military partnerships, DoD is looking to work with the states to remove unnecessary barriers, and significantly improve the quality of life for military families.

“Many of our state leaders share our concern for the welfare of our Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve service members and their families living in North Carolina, said Rep. Martin. This meeting was a pivotal step in working towards making significant progress for their future.” Martin is a major in the Army Reserve.  Having volunteered for active duty after 9/11, he served in the war in Afghanistan in 2002-03.  His current assignment is with an airborne unit at Fort Bragg.

Ten priority issues that were addressed in the meeting. These points were identified by the Department of Defense as having a strong impact on military families at the state level:

1. Common key benefits that support Guard and Reserve members and their families
2. Ensure deployment separation does not determine child custody or visitation decisions
3. Increase access to quality, affordable childcare for military families
4. Minimize school disruption for military children during transition and deployment
5. Enhance opportunities for portable careers for military spouses
6. Expand unemployment compensation for trailing military spouses
7. Promote enforcement of the DoD predatory lending regulation
8. Improve absentee voting for military members and their families
9. Comport state laws with DoD rules on disposition
10. Satisfy foreign language requirements

The lawmakers plan to meet again to begin preparing legislation which creates even better conditions for our military families.

Representative Glazier represents House 45^th District, which includes the Ft. Bragg community. Representative Martin represents House District 34 in Wake County.