Platform of Service

Behaving Respectfully and Valuing Others

   For decades, bullying has been regarded as an inevitable part of growing up - a rite of passage or character building life experience. Taking many forms, bullying includes physical abuse, verbal aggression, and social alienation, as well as racial, ethnic, and sexual harassment. Today, the problem has become more widespread, the forms of bullying more sinister: name calling has become cyber stalking, gang violence has replaced teasing, and spitballs have become hand guns.

   My platform - Behaving Respectfully and Valuing Others - is a multi-faceted endeavor that encompasses raising awareness of the seriousness of bullying, promotion of legislation for bullying prevention, education of both adults and children about the effects of bullying, implementation of respectful climates within home and school environments, and the embracing of diversity.

   As the Director of the Virginia Chapter of Bully Police USA, a national non-profit organization, I approached Delegate Rob Bell of the Virginia Legislature about the need to establish anti-bullying legislation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The facts, figures, research, and proposed language I presented to him were the catalyst for creating two anti-bullying bills, HB2266 and HB2267. I lobbied extensively in Richmond in support of both bills and testified during the committee hearings. My efforts were personally recognized by Governor Mark Warner on April 5, 2005, at the signing ceremony for HB2266. Both bills went into effect on July 1, 2005. I welcome all interested parties to view my progress on my website www.adriannasgarlata.com

   My message has reached media outlets all over Virginia, from Bristol to Norfolk to Roanoke to Fairfax and beyond, throughout the United States and Canada. My immediate goal as Miss Virginia is to continue spearheading anti-bullying efforts using media outlets throughout America and personal appearances to educate the citizens of the Commonwealth on the positive measures we can take toward combating bullies and protecting victims.

   Much is said of the need to protect our children, yet each year over 4 million school-age children from 5 to 18 are allowed to suffer virtually on their own, with little or no adult intervention, a fate not of their own choosing. Each day, these children face continuing intimidation and threats which cause psychological and physiological harm that lasts a lifetime, played out with increasingly devastating results.

   Despondency, desperation, and disconnection often result in “bullycide,” a form of suicide attributed to depression from being bullied. Over the past three decades suicide rates among adolescents have tripled to the point where every two hours an American youth commits suicide. According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds, and the fifth leading cause of death among 5 to 14-year-olds.

   As an advocate for bullied children, I have already spoken with hundreds of victims of bullying and their parents around the country. Each time I hear of another preventable tragedy, I wonder: would school shooting and suicide victims still be alive today if every state had instituted policies similar to those just mandated in Virginia? For the sake of all children who must pass through the halls of America’s schools in the years ahead, my goal is to make the answer a resounding “Yes!” To ignore bullying is insulting to victims, endangers the entire school body when victims strike back, infuriates parents to the breaking point, and creates unnecessary legal liability for teachers and school administrators.

   It is my mission to unite children, parents, teachers, and lawmakers in a common bond that will result in a more positive and respectful society. I have issued a national call to action, beginning with “Bullying Awareness Week,” April 16-22, challenging every American to take a proactive, comprehensive approach to eradicate the bullying and lack of respect pervasive in our society, thus empowering the youth of America to truly become part of the best of America.