Remembering Rebeka Verea: 500 Students Inspired to a Life of Character

On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, I returned to the Rebeka Verea Foundation's Annual Symposium in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. I delivered my signature student presentation titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World to over 500 students from high schools throughout Bergen and Hudson counties.

The event takes place each year due to the inspiring goodness of Rebeka's parents and many excellent speakers to encourage youth to live a life of character, make the right decisions and to say yes to life. This years event was especially meaningful since it took place on Rebeka's birthday.

Details on Rebeka's life and the remarkable dedication to youth by her parents honoring her memory are documented in my April 1, 2009 blog:

Be a Person of Character: Change the World

---

To bring new consciousness to families and to educate teens about the dangers of driving irresponsibly or being the passenger in the hands of an irresponsible driver.
Objective of the
Rebeka Verea Foundation

---

On Tuesday, March 31, 2009, thanks to the leadership of Dr. Jorge L. Verea and his wife Lourdes, over 400 high school students from Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey attended the 4th Annual Rebeka Verea Foundation Symposium in Cliffside Park.

On the night of June 20, 2005, 18 year-old Rebeka Verea was killed in a car accident just a few miles from her home. Earlier that day, she had graduated from Cliffside Park High School.

Dr. and Mrs. Verea knew they had to turn their grief into action. They started the Rebeka Verea Foundation to honor their daughter's life because "the death of our children should not be in vain."

Speakers for today's symposium were Dr. Jorge L. Verea, Dr. John J. Locurto and Melian Gonzalez, RN of the Trauma and Injury Center at Hackensack University Medical Center; Violet Marrero of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety; Detective Arnold Anderson of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office; Charles Fleisher of the Kessler Foundation; and Chief Donald Keane and Captain Anthony Frato of the Cliffside Park Police Department.

As an invited speaker, I delivered a presentation titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World which encouraged students to respond to a culture of violence, crisis of character and under the influence society with character. These students were reminded that

"No matter how young or old, no matter how rich or poor, no matter how famous or ordinary, each of us has the power to change the world by doing what is right."

High Schools Represented

• Academies at Englewood High School
  
• Bergen County Academies
  
• Bergenfield High School
  
• Bergen County Technical High School, Paramus
  
• Cliffside Park High School
  
• Dwight Morrow High School
  
• Emerson High School (Emerson, NJ)
  
• Emerson High School (Union City, NJ)
  
• Fort Lee High School
  
• Memorial High School
  
• North Bergen High School
  
• Pascack Hills High School
  
• Ridgefield Memorial High School
  
• Ridgefield Park High School
  
• River Vale High School
  
• Teaneck High School
  
• Union City High School

The Vereas are to be commended for their zeal and commitment to communicating the dangers of irresponsible driving so that the death of their daughter Rebeka may not be in vain.

READ MORE

Rebeka Verea Foundation	Click here to visit site
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Impaired Driving	Click here to visit site
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Illegal Drugs	Click here to visit site
America's Youth: A Generation of Hope	Click here to visit site

Abraham Lincoln: An Icon of Leadership for a Culture of Violence

As we pause to honor Abraham Lincoln on the April 15 anniversary of his death, he remains for America a paragon of courage during a culture of violence.

As memorialized in my December 12, 2006 blog, the nation will do well to reflect on Lincoln's greatness and sear the lessons of his character into our hearts:

Abraham Lincoln: An Enduring Icon of Leadership

Americans of all ages continue to be captivated by the life, death, legacy and message of Abraham Lincoln.

During speaking engagements with students, educators and law enforcement personnel throughout the country, I am continually astounded at the detailed information individuals have on Abraham Lincoln including specific dates from his life, the Civil War, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, his second inaugural and his assassination by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC on April 14, 1865.

During recent character education presentations, students from a 3rd grade class were able to recently quote to me with admirable precision President Lincoln's words from Gettysburg on November 19, 1863:

"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

In our troubled times, so besieged by violence, turmoil and scandal, Abraham Lincoln remains an icon of dedication to country. From his early days of studying by the fireside as a young boy to his rise to the presidency, the character of Lincoln is worthy of emulation. Lincoln's courage and perseverance in the face of great adversity serve as an example that what is needed in America's response to the current crisis of violence, scandal and division is newfound perseverance, unity, strength and transformation.

Read More:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/al16.html

The Leadership of Jackie Robinson: Number 42

The release of the film 42: The True Story of an American Legend reminds us of the leadership, character and discipline of Jackie Robinson as memorialized in my April 16, 2007 blog:

Jackie Robinson: An Enduring Icon of Leadership

Jackie Robinson Day was celebrated on April 15, 2007 in baseball stadiums across America. As Major League Baseball honors the 60th anniversary of "Number 42's" rookie season, it is important to remember the man who broke baseball's color barrier.

Jackie Robinson's life exemplifies courage, character and conviction. Jackie was athletically gifted with a rare ability to thrill the fans of baseball. But his talents went much deeper than hitting, running, catching and throwing. The prejudice and abuse Robinson endured as Major League Baseball's first African American player paved the way for black athletes who followed him and brought national attention to segregation and injustice towards black Americans.

Despite the many obstacles he had to overcome, Jackie Robinson had an outstanding baseball career which earned him honor as a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. And if there should ever be an American Leadership Hall of Fame, Jackie Robinson's plaque should proudly hang there as an exemplary model of leadership.

[Reprinted from the www.jackierobinson.org]

Highlights of his baseball career include:

• 1947 - Rookie of the Year
  
• 1949 - National League Most Valuable Player Award
  
• 1957 - Retired from baseball after helping the Dodgers win six pennants and one World Series
  
• 1962 - Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Robinson's history-making achievements in baseball were only part of his extraordinary life and legacy. He made his gift for the game into a forum for all of America to engage in a conversation that would leave a lasting impact on almost every facet of our society. His outspoken leadership on issues of civil and human rights continued throughout his years as a corporate executive, civil servant, and major figure in national politics.

In 1957, Robinson became the Vice President of Chock Full O' Nuts, a coffee and restaurant chain. He later co-founded Freedom National Bank of Harlem, where he was Chairman of the Board from 1964 to 1972. In 1970, he organized the Jackie Robinson Construction Corporation. In both banking and construction his major aim was to contribute to the improvement of living conditions for Black Americans, especially in the major metropolitan areas.

At the same time, Jackie Robinson was also deeply concerned with the struggle for civil rights. Starting in 1957, he traveled extensively to raise funds for the NAACP. These efforts led to close relationships with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other prominent leaders. He was also a staunch supporter of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith. His concern with politics led him to influence leaders such as Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon; Hubert Humphrey and Nelson Rockefeller. In 1964, he resigned from Chock Full O' Nuts to work full time on the campaign of Governor Rockefeller, who later appointed him as Special Assistant of Community Affairs. In 1968, he campaigned on behalf of Vice President Hubert Humphrey in his presidential bid.

Jackie Robinson worked tirelessly over the years with a variety of church groups and community organizations. He served on the Board of Managers of the Harlem YMCA, where a building now bears his name. A major supporter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, he served as National Chairman of its Brotherhood Week in 1968.

"The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time." -- Jackie Robinson

READ MORE

Major League Baseball Jackie Robinson Remembered	Click here to visit site
National Baseball Hall of Fame	Click here to visit site
The Jackie Robinson Foundation	Click here to visit site

Rutgers University Sports Scandal: A Crisis of Leadership

The firing of head basketball coach Mike Rice by Rutgers today, after video documentation of his massive, pervasive and disturbing behavior indicates a crisis of leadership at the university.

Throughout the nation, public outrage continues on why the termination came only after extensive coverage by the press. The lack of judgement by both the school athletic director and president for allowing the coach to stay so long despite continuous, reprehensible and overt abuse toward players is shameful.

As documented in my January 16, 2007 blog (written because of my concern of dysfunction by numerous individuals in sports) the qualities of effective coaching must be sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship. Unfortunately, the administration at Rutgers made it obvious through scandelous headlines; character, so critical to a college sports, was not part of their basketball curriculum:

Youth Coaching Principles: Sportsmanship, Leadership, Citizenship-January 16, 2007

If youth sports coaching throughout the United States were to be honestly evaluated, there would be some alarming concerns exhibited by poor example, lack of training and certification, omission of background/reference checks and inappropriate cultivation of a hyper-aggressive atmosphere. Conversely, the qualities of effective youth coaching must be sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship with an unwavering focus on the best interest of the young that are entrusted to their care. Coaches must be trained, evaluated and required to concentrate on character education and positive reinforcement, ingredients which must be the core of youth social and skill development.

American sport programs must turn the tide from a failing grade that does not have the total education of the youth at heart due to a win at all cost dysfunction. The proper youth athletic education program centers and inspires life lessons that include:

• Character
  
• Fair Play
  
• Teamwork
  
• Dedication to Study, Family and Community
  
• Respect
  
• Hard Work
  
• Patriotism
  
• Commitment
  
• Civility
  
• Proper Nutrition and Hygiene
  
• Safety
  
• Leadership
  
• Integrity
  
• Diversity
  
• Honesty
  
• Responsibility
  
• Self Control
  
• Compassion

The future of America is its youth and character education, as well as a code of ethics, must be cultivated by the coach and inseparable from personal example in all school, league and community athletic programs. Read the National Youth Sports Coaches Association's Code of Ethics

American Baseball: A Call for Character

---

"Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." — Lou Gehrig

---

As the 2013 season opens for Major League Baseball, we would do well to reflect on the life of Lou Gehrig—not only because he was one of the greatest players on the field, but because of the greatness of character the Iron Horse displayed off the field.

I have spent many days at Yankee Stadium with my son Austin while he was growing up, enjoying regular season games, playoffs and even the World Series. These games—Austin wore the jersey of his favorite player, Paul O’Neill as I wore the jersey of my all time favorite, Lou Gehrig—provided many memories and a special father/son bond.

Aside from these memories with my son, my past experience as a confidant to the New York Yankees in the 1980's and authoring a book titled And on the Eighth Day God Created the Yankees during that time make baseball a special part of my life. In the book is one of my favorite photos of Lou Gehrig signing his 1937 contract for $37,700 while Jacob Ruppert, Joe McCarthy and Joe DiMaggio look on.

The Character of Lou Gehrig—The Iron Horse

Immortalized as the Pride of the Yankees, Lou Gehrig's durability and dedication are reflected in his playing in 2,130 consecutive games between 1925-1939. Complimenting this streak, his record of 23 career grand slams still stands today. He had a .340 lifetime batting average, won the American League MVP Award in 1927 & 1936 and was a Triple Crown winner in 1934.

The character of Lou Gehrig was exemplified throughout his life, beginning with his humble upbringing in New York City, his college career at Columbia University and throughout his years with the New York Yankees. His character is most remembered through the memory of July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium. Lou, after a lifetime of contributing to the game of baseball as a player, was only 36 years old and dying. More than 61,000 fans listened to his words—one of the greatest messages of character America has ever heard:

"For the past two weeks, you've been reading about a bad break. Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

Perhaps Richard Vidmer, a reporter covering the story the next day for the Herald Tribune, expressed it best:

"Somehow I felt that at the Stadium yesterday not a great baseball player but a truly great sportsman who could take his triumphs with sincere modesty and could face tragedy with a smile. His records will attest to future generations that Lou Gehrig was one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived, but only those who have been fortunate enough to have known him during his most glorious years will realize that he has stood for something finer than merely a great baseball player—that he stood for everything that makes sports important in the American scene."

Lou Gehrig - Pride of the Yankees (2:53) Lou Gehrig - The Iron Horse (5:21)

<a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vya1NrHyXE">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Blog—Transforming Major League Baseball	Click here to visit site
Blog—Baseball Steroid Scandal: Jason Giambi Admits Use	Click here to visit site