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Politics & Government

Local Politicians Show Support for Dearborn Anti-Bullying Program

Congressman John Dingell, state Sen. Morris Hood and Wayne County Commissioner Gary Woronchak attended an anti-bullying event in Dearborn Monday.

Debbie Dingell summed it up well: "We've all been bullied."

Local politicians—including Debbie's husband Congressman John Dingell, who is currently vying for his 30th term in the U.S. House of Representatives—came out Monday night in support of the Dearborn Public Schools' Anti-Bullying Extravaganza.

Officeholders—also including state Sen. Morris Hood and Wayne County Commissioner Gary Woronchak—said they felt it was important to support a cause so universal to all students, and their parents.

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"I'm a parent," Rep. Dingell said before the event, held at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. "I know what it does to kids, and I don't want it to happen anymore."

Dearborn's program, in place officially for two years, focuses on a community-wide effort to ending bullying among local youth.

Find out what's happening in Dearbornwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Woronchak—who is also running for reelection to his seat on the Wayne County Commission—said that while it will take time to measure the results of Dearborn's program, any effort is worthwhile.

Woronchak was instrumental in securing funding for Dearborn's anti-bullying program.

"However we can raise awareness, I'm sure it will address the problem," he commented. "(Dearborn Public Schools) are taking it head on."

Sen. Hood agreed that "awareness is the key" to recognizing and ending bullying in schools, on the Internet and in communities.

"Sometimes kids are afraid to tell anyone," he added of bullying incidents. "They need to know they have somwhere to go ... that they have an outlet."

More: Watch video and see photos from Dearborn's 2012 Anti-Bullying Extravaganza

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