Senator urges vote on anti-bullying bill

To the editor:

Bipartisan efforts to get serious about bullying are stalled in the Iowa Legislature.

When will Iowans say we won't take this anymore? When will we agree we will do anything to help children in our schools?

Some people say there were always bullies and there will always be bullies. That attitude is mistaken. There wasn't always Facebook. There wasn't always Twitter, Instagram and other social media channels. These are 24-hour places that our children have access to and with which parents have little contact and no control.

When you and I were bullied as kids, we went home and maybe went to our rooms to pout. Maybe we'd skip dinner.

Today, kids that are bullied can't find relief in their own rooms. Thanks to social media, the hurtful lies and attacks that torture them day in and day out at school follow them home.

That's why the Iowa Senate voted 43 to 7 for a strong anti-bullying bill that will make a difference. Gov. Terry Branstad likes it and says he will sign it.

Unfortunately, the leaders of the Iowa House don't want to help. They refuse to debate legislation that will help protect Iowa kids from today's unescapable bullying.

I'm asking Iowans to urge the men and women who represent them in the Iowa House to demand a vote on the anti-bullying bill.

Bullying can be a life or death issue. Iowa should help our children who need help.

Sen. Tony Bisignano

Des Moines