Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) spoke with a group of students this morning at Henry Lea Elementary School about his anti-bullying bill that will be re-introduced before Congress this week. The bill, titled The Safe Schools Improvement Act, was initially proposed in 2013. If it passes this time around, it would require schools that receive federal funding to create and implement locally-tailored programs and policies against bullying.

“I think every bully is a coward,” Casey told the classroom full students. “Bullying is a killer. Not every day, but we’re seeing more and more incidences of bullying that takes lives, sometimes ending with someone taking their own life.”

The senator shared his views on bullying in the United States, saying that it’s not limited to Philadelphia schools, or even urban schools for that matter.

When asked by students during the Q&A if he had ever been bullied, Casey responded that he had not, but he had read enough stories that made him feel the significance of the issue.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act would mandate new codes against bullying conduct in public schools, including acts of bullying “on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion.”

Casey’s team chose Henry Lea based on the school’s proactive stance against bullying and its involvement with the bill. Jennifer Duffy, the principal at Henry Lea, said that the school has been building a culture that anticipates and prevents bullying. They have begun to log incidences of bullying in a systematic way, and are working on an intervention system as well.

Casey said that the success of the bill, however, depends on whether or not students are willing to take action. A large part of his discussion with Henry Lea students revolved around how and why to get involved if you or someone you know is being bullied.

When prompted about whether the bill will meet resistance in congress, Casey’s press secretary told AL DÍA that they were hopeful it would pass.