Put Prevention Barrier around the Golden Gate Bridge


My teenage son killed himself by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. If the bridge had a suicide prevention barrier (like other landmarks do), Kyle might still be alive today. Please sign my petition to install a barrier and save lives.

My son Kyle was only 18 when he took his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in September 2013. I still have no idea why he made that terrible decision. He had never been depressed, never mentioned suicide. It seems he decided to kill himself completely on impulse.

If the Golden Gate Bridge had a suicide prevention barrier, like other major bridges do, my son might still be alive today.

After my son died, I found out that the Golden Gate Bridge has more suicides than any landmark in the world. But unlike other landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge doesn’t have a life saving suicide prevention barrier to save people like my son from jumping to their deaths.

I started a petition on Change.org calling on the California Senate Budget Committee to approve funding for a suicide prevention barrier for the Golden Gate Bridge. Please sign my petition.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Kyle. He was just starting his senior year in high school, captain of the basketball team, planning on college. He had just gotten his passport for a trip to Australia after graduation. My son had excitements and hope in his life, and where does that go now? I still can’t believe he’s gone.

There’s a common misconception that people who attempt suicide once will just try again — that’s not true. In fact, one study showed that 94% of people who were talked down from the Golden Gate Bridge did not go on to kill themselves. If a barrier had been in place, my son could have been among that 94%.

It is appalling for California and America that the Golden Gate Bridge has more suicides than any landmark in the world. This is a problem that can be easily fixed, and lives will be saved as a result.

It is too late for my son, but if enough people sign my petition, I know we can help save someone else’s loved one. I know we can make sure no other family has to live through something like this.

Please sign my petition calling on the California Senate to approve funding for a suicide prevention barrier for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Thank you,

Kymberyrenee Gamboa
Fair Oaks, California

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 5/13 ~~ the House


WethePeople

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

Following any Leader remarks, the time until 11:10am will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

 At 11:10am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.3474, the legislative vehicle for the tax extenders legislation.

 The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

As a reminder, at 11:10am today, Tuesday, May 13, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.3474, the Hire More Heroes Act of 2014 (the legislative vehicle for the tax extenders legislation).

 

This morning, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following district and circuit judge nominations:

 

  1. Executive Calendar #667, Rosemary Marquez, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate);
  2. Executive Calendar #668, Douglas L. Rayes, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate);
  3. Executive Calendar #669, James Alan Soto, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona(up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate); and
  4. Executive Calendar #732, Gregg Jeffrey Costa, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit (up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate).

 

The first cloture vote in this series would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday, May 15 or upon disposition of the Humetewa nomination, whichever is later.

 

As a reminder, yesterday, Monday, May 12, Senator Reid filed cloture on the following district judge nominations.

 

  1. Executive Calendar #664, Steven Paul Logan, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate);
  2. Executive Calendar #665, John Joseph Tuchi, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate); and
  3. Executive Calendar #666, Diane J. Humetewa, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona (up to 2 hours of post-cloture debate).

At 11:12am, the Senate began a 15-minute roll call vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.3474, the Hire More Heroes Act of 2014 (the legislative vehicle for the tax extenders legislation).

Invoked: 96-3

After the Senate reconvened, Senator Graham asked unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the Republican Leader that the Senate proceed to consideration of S.1670, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and S.1696, the Women’s Health Protection Act, that there be up to 8 hours of debate, equally divided in the usual form, to run concurrently and that there be no amendments, points of order, or motions in order, and that upon the use or yielding back of tie, the Senate proceed to vote on S.1670, and that following the disposition of S.1670, and that following the disposition of S.1670, the Senate proceed to vote on S.1696 and that both bills be subject to a 60-affirmative vote threshold for passage.

 

Senator Blumenthal objected.

The Senate has reached an agreement on several nominations that results in two series of votes tomorrow. The first series will begin at 11:15am and the second series will begin at 5:15pm. Each vote after the first vote in each series will be 10 minute votes. The vote sequences and the agreement can be found below.

 

11:15am—up to 5 roll call votes:

  1. Cloture on Executive Calendar #664, Steven Paul Logan, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona;
  2. Cloture on Executive Calendar #665, John Joseph Tuchi, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona;
  3. Cloture on Executive Calendar #666, Diane J. Humetewa, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona;
  4. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #650, Roy K. Williams, of Ohio, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (voice vote expected); and
  5. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #539, Carlos Roberto Moreno, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Belize (voice vote expected).

 

5:15pm—up to 4 roll call votes:

  1. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #664, Steven Paul Logan, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona
  2. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #665, John Joseph Tuchi, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona
  3. Confirmation of Executive Calendar #666, Diane J. Humetewa, of Arizona, to be United States District Judge for the District of Arizona
  4. Adoption of the motion to proceed to H.R.3474, legislative vehicle for Tax Extenders (voice vote expected)

 

Unanimous consent agreement

Reid: I ask unanimous consent that, notwithstanding Rule 22, on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 11:15 a.m., the Senate proceed to vote on cloture on Cal# 664 (Logan), Cal#665 (Tuchi),  and Cal #666 (Humetewa), then proceed to consideration and vote on confirmation of Cal# 650 (Williams), and Cal# 539 (Moreno); further, that if cloture is invoked on Cal #664, 665, or 666, the time until 5:15 p.m., be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees and at 5:15 p.m., the Senate proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations in the order listed; further, that there be 2 minutes for debate prior to each vote, equally divided in the usual form, that any roll call votes, following the first in each series, be 10 minutes in length; further, that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate’s action and the Senate then resume legislative session and proceed to vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.3474.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Motion to proceed to H.R.3474, 113th Congress” href=”http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:H.R.3474:” target=”_blank”>H.R.3474, the Hire More Heroes Act of 2014 (the legislative vehicle for the tax extenders legislation).

Invoked: 96-3

Legislative Business

Adopted S.Re.S441, Designating the week of May 1 through May 7, 2014, as “National Physical Education and Sport Week”.

Adopted S.Res.443, Recognizing the goals of National Travel and Tourism Week and honoring the valuable contributions of travel and tourism to the United States.

Adopted S.Res.444, Honoring former Senator Harlan Mathews

 

NO Executive Business

=============================================

Last Floor Action:
1:02:51 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 2(b) of H. Res. 576.

The next meeting is scheduled. for 2:00 p.m. on May 15, 2014.

Last Floor Action:5/9
2:07:55 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on May 13, 2014.

======================================

Share these words


“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” 

-Theodore Roosevelt

Teens see bullying everyday. They want to help, but don’t know how. Teach them how to be more than a bystander. Share these words and learn how you can motivate teens to take action when bullying occurs.

the most inspirational 90 seconds


The work that teachers do is too often under-appreciated and overlooked.

In states across the country, Republican governors are slashing public education and then blaming teachers for the disastrous results. We simply don’t agree with that philosophy. Public education is one of the most important institutions in our democracy, and teachers are the key to students’ success.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week—and in honor of teachers everywhere we’d like to share this inspiring short video from DGA Chair Governor Peter Shumlin, who overcame a severe learning disability with the help of one very special educator.

Watch the 90-second video here, then share it with your friends in honor of teachers everywhere.

DGA Chair Peter Shumlin

It’ll be the most inspirational 90 seconds you spend this week—I guarantee it.

Sincerely,

Mark Giangreco
Digital Director
Democratic Governors Association

TBI Gala May 15 Honoring The First Couple of NYC


2014 Annual Celebration & Award Reception

Honoring The Black Institute’s Couple of the Year

Mayor Bill de Blasio & First Lady Chirlane McCray

Also honoring

Ana Castro, Founder L.A.T.I.S.M. (Latinos in Tech Innovation & Social Media)

Cheryl McKissack, President & CEO, McKissack & McKissack

Stephen Hawkins, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA

Community Resources for Justice

Music by Grammy Winner DJ Hex Hector

Host Committee (In-formation): Stuart Appelbaum RWDSU, Rev. A.R. Bernard, Hector Figueroa 32BJ SEIU, George Gresham 1199SEIU, Ed Lynch UFCW, Bob Master CWA District 1, Mike Mulgrew UFT, Peter Patch & Linda Kane, Larry Park NYSTLA, Eugene Schneur & Mo Vaugh OMNI New York and Doug Wigdor

The Black Institute Board: Selvin Bushay, Stephen Chukwumba, James Heyliger, Vince Morgan, Ademola Oyefeso, Martha Stark, Carmen Wallace and Jacquelyn Williams

For more information or to purchase ticktes please click here, call 212 871 6899 or email events@theblackinstitute.org

 

The Black Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/