THE SENTINEL

Smiling Heroes: Tuskegee Airmen Finally Get Their Due

2012-01-20T19:55:00.002-05:00

"Red Tails", the high flying action packed production on the Tuskegee Airmen by George Lucas, opened in theaters nationwide on January 20, 2012. Their heroics is a tribute to diversity, teaching us that courage has no boundaries. Honoring the noble legacy of these great American's is my blog originally posted on March 30, 2007:

The honor is well-deserved but long overdue. More than fifty years after they helped defeat Hitler and the Nazis in World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American young men who received pilot wings and commissions between 1942 and 1946, were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor yesterday at a White House Ceremony.

At a time when these men could not eat, be educated, ride the bus, or use the same restrooms as white men, they chose to bravely serve America. In the face of danger abroad and prejudice at home, they fought to defend liberty though they had not yet fully achieved it for themselves.

As I see the grateful smiles on the faces of these champions of freedom, I am convinced that they are the most honorable and deserving of the word hero.

[Reprinted from www.tuskegeeairmen.org]

The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit. Each one possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States of America at the best of his ability.

The black airmen who became single-engine or multi-engine pilots were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee Alabama. The first aviation cadet class began in July 1941 and completed training nine months later in March 1942. Thirteen started in the first class. Five successfully completed the training, one of them being Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., a West Point Academy graduate. The other four were commissioned second lieutenants, and all five received Army Air Corps silver pilot wings.

From 1942 through 1946, nine hundred and ninety-four pilots graduated at TAAF, receiving commissions and pilot wings. Black navigators, bombardiers and gunnery crews were trained at selected military bases elsewhere in the United States. Mechanics were trained at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois until facilities were in place in 1942 at TAAF.

The outstanding record of black airmen in World War II was accomplished by men whose names will forever live in hallowed memory. Each one accepted the challenge, proudly displayed his skill and determination while suppressing internal rage from humiliation and indignation caused by frequent experiences of racism and bigotry, at home and overseas. These airmen fought two wars - one against a military force overseas and the other against racism at home and abroad.

READ MORE

The White House Congressional Medal of Honor Ceremony	Click here to visit site
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.	Click here to visit site

Remembering the Dream: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

As the nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 16th, a testament to his greatness is that nearly every major city in America has a street or school named after him.

After his death in Memphis on April 4, 1968, the words of Martin Luther King Jr. still hold captivating influence and inspiring gracefulness:

On Equality (Birmingham jail, 1963)
"Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration, we were here."

On Nonconformity (1963)
"The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority."

On Civil Rights (Selma to Montgomery, 1965)
"We are moving to the land of freedom. Let us march to the realization of the American dream."

On Peace (1964)
"Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood."

On the Dream of Freedom (1964)
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed...that all men are created equal."

On Freedom (1963)
"So let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi..."

On the Future (April 3, 1968 – the night before his murder)
"I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight, I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Listen to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Serving

Calling on President Obama to Commit Resources to Stop the Violence in Chicago

2012-01-13T00:44:00.005-05:00

A 14-year-old boy was shot in the neck while walking to school in Chicago on January 12, 2012. One day earlier an 18-year-old was shot and killed. There is no end in sight to years of violence inflicting Chicago youth and hope is fading. I once again call upon President Obama to respond with full force leadership to this tragic epidemic. My initial request to the President on October 6, 2009 as documented here remains critical:

Vincent Bove Blog/Initiative Request to President Obama on October 6, 2009
When asked in an October 1, 2009 press briefing whether the President was going to address the Chicago violence concerns to the Olympic Committee, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs replied

"Obviously it's of great concern to the President, as somebody who lives in Chicago, but would and should be a concern for every American. This isn't a Chicago problem; this is violence -- youth violence is a problem throughout our country. The President is concerned and has asked that next Wednesday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder travel to Chicago. They'll meet with officials from the school, meet with students and meet with the community to talk about the issues of school violence and youth violence."

"Talking about the issues" is simply not enough. It is time for action; anything less is just more politically expedient rhetoric.

I call upon President and Mrs. Obama to establish a Stop the Violence Olympics for Chicago—nothing less than a full-force effort and allocation of resources equal to that of the effort and resources that would have been necessary to host the Olympics. If hosting the Olympics would have been worth the effort, then the saving of lives from senseless bloodshed is so much more worth it.

According to various published reports, over 500 students have been shot, more than 100 fatally, since 2006. Most recently, the beating death of 16-year-old Derrion Albert has captured the nation's attention.

AP Report
3 Charged in Beating Death of Chicago Student (1:28)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VwgGHrDdX0">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

These sobering statistics of violence and death in Chicago indicate a state of emergency and beckon an immediate collaborative response from every level of the government and community. The eyes of the nation must now turn to Chicago, not as a city preparing for the Olympic Games but as a city committed to transforming a culture of violence into one of opportunity and hope.

LETTER TO PRESIDENT AND MRS. OBAMA

October 6, 2009

President and Mrs. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President and Mrs. Obama,

Now that lobbying for hosting the 2016 Olympic Games is behind us, a more urgent task is at hand. It is time for an Olympian effort to end the bloodshed plaguing the communities of Chicago.

I implore you to make the elimination of violence in the windy city a top priority of your administration. If we agree that it would have been a worthwhile investment to prepare the city to host the 2016 Olympics, how much more is the value of human life? We must work to find a way to save lives, reduce hostility, and create a national model for the "audacity of hope" in all our urban areas suffering the scourge of senseless brutality.

So I propose that the White House declare a Stop the Violence Olympics for Chicago. As immediately as is possible, an organizing effort should be made on the same scale as would have been necessary to prepare the city for the Olympics. Resources from throughout government, private industry, and the local community must be brought together in a collaborative effort that will serve notice that violence will no longer be tolerated.

In addition, a torch should be lit in the city and remain burning as a reminder and symbol to all that we are serious about bringing change and hope to the affected Chicago communities.

President and Mrs. Obama, with the eyes of the nation and the world upon the devastation in Chicago, the time has come to stand with courage and certainty to answer the question "Can they stop the violence on the streets of Chicago?"

The only answer must be the same as the mantra of your Presidency—a resounding "YES WE CAN!"

Respectfully,

Vincent J.Bove

READ MORE

Beating Death Of Derrion Albert, 16, Caught On Video	Click here to visit site
508 Chicago Students Shot in 16 Months	Click here to visit site
2008 saw increased violence in Chicago, statistics show	Click here to visit site
CeaseFire The Campaign to STOP the Shooting	Click here to visit site
Google Search: Chicago Violence	Click here to visit site

Fort Lee High School: Dedicated to the Power of Character

2011-12-13T15:35:00.001-05:00

On December 13, 2011, I returned to Fort Lee High School to address 250 freshmen. The presentation titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World followed my previous character education events there:

Over 1,000 students from Fort Lee High School in Bergen County, New Jersey assembled on March 15-16, 2011 for a character development initiative titled The Power of Character: Rising Above the Storms. This was a follow up to the program previously presented at the school on May 10 and 11, 2010 titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World.

As the featured speaker for the program, aside from an honest assessment of concerns vital to American society including a head-on collision of a crisis of violence and character deficiencies, the tragedy in Japan as well as protests throughout the Middle East were presented. Character was emphasized as the necessary solution to the problems facing national and international concerns.

Concerns impacting American youth were also addressed including:

Bullying/Cyberbulling
The Impact of Divorce
Gangs, Guns, Drugs
Prescription Drug Abuse
Driving Under the Influence
Teen Suicides including Phoebe Prince, Jessie Logan, Megan Meier and Tyler Clementi
High School Dating Abuse/Toxic Relationships
Facebook/Texting/Email Conduct

Despite these issues, the students of Fort Lee High School were empowered with the message:

"You Have The Power To Change The World By Helping Each Other Do What Is Right."

This message was reinforced with a call to action as inspired by the writings of Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine High School:

Eliminate Prejudice
Dare to Dream
Choose Your Influences
Kind Words
Start a Chain Reaction

The Power of Character was also encouraged by a review of various teens throughout the nation who contribute to society through their good example, community service and selfless dedication to others.

A special commendation is due to Principal M. Priscilla Church for her dedication to the students of Fort Lee High School, Teacher Carol Burghardt for coordinating this character initiative and the Fort Lee Education Foundation for their generous sponsorship.

READ MORE

Fort Lee High School	Click here to visit site
Fort Lee Education Foundation	Click here to visit site
America's Youth: Transforming the Nation through Character	Click here to visit site

Honoring American Military Sacrifices

2011-11-08T00:55:00.000-05:00

The American Battle Monuments Commission administers, operates and maintains 24 permanent American burial grounds in 10 different countries throughout Europe, North Africa, Latin America and the Philippines. The commission also maintains 25 breathtaking Federal memorials, monuments and markers. These are the most hallowed shrines of their nature in the world, sacred and serene landscapes and masterpieces of art and sculpture.

Established by Congress in 1923, the commission's objective is to commemorate the service, achievements and sacrifice of United States Armed Forces where they have served oversees since 1917 and within the United States when directed by public law. Although the commission honors the fallen, it also serves the living who visit to pay homage, reflect and be inspired. These grounds and memorials are priceless jewels of American history that present countless stories of devotion that enrich us by validating American heroism.

Presently there are 124,913 United States war dead interred at these cemeteries as follows:

30,921 of World War I
93,242 of World War II
750 of the Mexican War

Additionally, 6,149 American veterans and others are interred in the Mexico City and Corozal Cemeteries.

On June 6, 2007, the dedication of the new Normandy American Visitor Center in France took place.

Sixty-three years after Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy to turn the tide of World War II in Europe, this center tells the story of the 9,387 Americans buried there and put the D-Day landings and follow-on battle in Europe in perspective as one of the greatest military achievements of all time.

The $30 million visitor center was dedicated and opened to the public on June 6, 2007 during the annual D-Day commemorations. The center is situated in a wooded area of the cemetery approximately 100 meters east of the Garden of the Missing. Normandy is the American Battle Monuments Commission's most visited cemetery, receiving approximately one million visitors each year.

Today, as in generations past, America is served by courageous patriots, many whom pay the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve our liberty. The bravery, selflessness and commitment of the American military must remain immortalized, appreciated and honored.

Visit the American Battle Monuments Commission Site

Winston Churchill: Enduring Icon of Leadership

2011-09-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Winston Churchill stands not only as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century but one of the most influential in all of history. For those truly interested in leadership training and development, the life of Winston Churchill is a shining example and a true inspiration.

His oratorical genius was able to motivate and inspire England while also able to sting the heart of the enemy. Consider his words broadcast on the BBC on June 18, 1940, just a few hours after hearing the devastating news that the French had capitulated to the Nazis:

"The news from France is very bad and I grieve for the gallant French people who have fallen into this terrible misfortune… What has happened in France makes no difference to our faith and purpose. We have become the sole champions now in arms to defend the world cause. We shall do our best to be worthy of this high honor… We shall fight on unconquerable until the curse of Hitler is lifted from the brows of men. We are sure that in the end all will be well."

[Reprinted from The Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century – http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/
churchill.html]

Winston Churchill
The master statesman stood alone against fascism and renewed the world's faith in the superiority of democracy
By JOHN KEEGAN

His was a bleak inheritance. Following the total defeat of France, Britain truly, in his words, "stood alone." It had no substantial allies and, for much of 1940, lay under threat of German invasion and under constant German air attack. He nevertheless refused Hitler's offers of peace, organized a successful air defense that led to the victory of the Battle of Britain and meanwhile sent most of what remained of the British army, after its escape from the humiliation of Dunkirk, to the Middle East to oppose Hitler's Italian ally, Mussolini.

This was one of the boldest strategic decisions in history. Convinced that Hitler could not invade Britain while the Royal Navy and its protecting Royal Air Force remained intact, he dispatched the army to a remote theater of war to open a second front against the Nazi alliance. Its victories against Mussolini during 1940-41 both humiliated and infuriated Hitler, while its intervention in Greece, to oppose Hitler's invasion of the Balkans, disrupted the Nazi dictator's plans to conclude German conquests in Europe by defeating Russia.

Churchill's tendency to conduct strategy by impulse infuriated his advisers. His chief of staff Alan Brooke complained that every day Churchill had 10 ideas, only one of which was good — and he did not know which one. Yet Churchill the romantic showed acute realism in his reaction to Russia's predicament. He reviled communism. Required to accept a communist ally in a struggle against a Nazi enemy, he did so not only willingly but generously. He sent a large proportion of Britain's war production to Russia by Arctic convoys, even at a time when the convoys from America to Britain, which alone spared the country starvation, suffered devastating U-boat attacks.

From the outset of his premiership, Churchill, half American by birth, had rested his hope of ultimate victory in U.S. intervention. He had established a personal relationship with President Roosevelt that he hoped would flower into a war-winning alliance. Roosevelt's reluctance to commit the U.S. beyond an association "short of war" did not dent his optimism. He always hoped events would work his way. The decision by Japan, Hitler's ally, to attack the American Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, justified his hopes. That evening he confided to himself, "So we had won after all."

America's entry into the Second World War marked the high point of Churchill's statesmanship. Britain, demographically, industrially and financially, had entered the war weaker than either of its eventual allies, the Soviet Union and the U.S. Defeats in 1940 had weakened it further, as had the liquidation of its international investments to fund its early war efforts. During 1942, the prestige Britain had won as Hitler's only enemy allowed Churchill to sustain parity of leadership in the anti-Nazi alliance with Roosevelt and Stalin.

Churchill understandably exulted in the success of the D-day invasion when it came in 1944. By then it was the Russo-American rather than the Anglo-American nexus, however, that dominated the alliance, as he ruefully recognized at the last Big Three conference in February 1945. Shortly afterward he suffered the domestic humiliation of losing the general election and with it the premiership. He was to return to power in 1951 and remain until April 1955, when ill health and visibly failing powers caused him to resign.

It would have been kinder to his reputation had he not returned. He was not an effective peacetime Prime Minister. His name had been made, and he stood unchallengeable, as the greatest of all Britain's war leaders. It was not only his own country, though, that owed him a debt. So too did the world of free men and women to whom he had made a constant and inclusive appeal in his magnificent speeches from embattled Britain in 1940 and 1941. Churchill did not merely hate tyranny, he despised it. The contempt he breathed for dictators — renewed in his Iron Curtain speech at Fulton, Mo., at the outset of the cold war — strengthened the West's faith in the moral superiority of democracy and the inevitability of its triumph.

"The first duty of a university is to teach wisdom, not a trade; character, not technicalities."
Winston Churchill, House of Commons, September 19, 1950

READ MORE

The Churchill Centre	Click here to visit site
The Time 100 The Most Important People of the Century	Click here to visit site

Robert Waters School, Union City, NJ: Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement

2011-09-08T06:26:00.004-04:00

Robert Waters School in Union City, New Jersey is to be commended for their dedication to character, achievement and community building. By launching the new school year with a professional development day on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, the school expressed its leadership to addressing these critical educational concerns.

As the keynote speaker, I presented a program titled Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement: Conflict Resolution, Motivating and Community Building to over 100 educators. It was followed by a lively exchange of staff break out sessions and presentations by group leaders with the goal of making Robert Waters School an exceptional educational experience for the new school year.

The keynote affirmed the essential role of educators in touching the hearts of the youth entrusted to their care by their example of character, loving kindness, respect, compassion, courtesy, patriotism, empathy, thoughtfulness, diversity and dedication to community partnerships. Some highlights of the keynote included:

Online Social Networking
Bullying/Cyberbullying
Gangs/Guns/Drugs/Violence
Eleven Principles of Character Education
Crisis of Character
Culture of Violence
Sexting/Text Rage
Diversity
Anger Management Principles for Students
Altruism: Essential for the School Community
Rachel's Challenge
Patriotism: Critical to the School Culture
Shattered Families/Filling the Void
Early Warning Signs and Timely Collaborative Response
Building Better Staff/Parent/Community Connections
Preventive Education Transformation through Character

As with all of my school presentations, the goal was to empower educators to use their own example, especially the virtue of loving kindness as well as all community resources to serve the youth and their families entrusted to their care. Perhaps my closing words crystallize the importance of the role educators have in transforming the classroom, school, community and even the nation:

"Michelangelo and Da Vinci created the statue of David and Mona Lisa, respectively. Through Picasso's Guernica, individuals can see the inhumanity, brutality and hopelessness of war. Van Gogh's paintings have captivated and given millions serenity, comfort and inspiration. But above and beyond the mastery of all of the world's greatest artists, only a teacher can mold the heart of a child."

9/11 Remembrance: Honor the Fallen, Honor the Heroes, Transform the Nation

2011-08-18T23:58:00.001-04:00

As the nation pauses on Patriot Day, Sunday, September 11, 2011—the tenth anniversary of the day that changed America forever—it is necessary to honor the fallen, their loved ones, and the heroes who served and continue to serve. The remembrance of 9/11 compels us to transform the nation.

The victims from the World Trade Center, Flight 11, Flight 175, Flight 77, Flight 93 and the Pentagon will forever remind us of that fateful day. All across America—in our churches, synagogues, mosques, communities, homes and hearts—we must pray for the repose of their souls and for peace in the hearts of their families and friends. We must also remain vigilant and rededicate ourselves to the virtues inspired by the tragedy: patriotism, compassion and perseverance.

The anniversary of 9/11 also inspires the nation to honor the countless heroes who served victims and their loved ones. These heroes, many whom are unsung, represent the best in all of us and rose to the occasion from every imaginable profession, nationality, religion and ethnicity. America is forever grateful for these dedicated men and women and their tireless service to the community.

May we rise together from the trials and tragedy of that day and commit to a new era of renewal and triumph in our great land.

Thomas Jefferson: Enduring Icon of Leadership

2011-07-18T22:54:00.000-04:00

As one enters the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., one is immediately confronted with the conviction and strength of the third President of the United States. Inscribed around the inside of the dome are the words,

"For I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

The sense of awe one experiences upon entering the memorial is so powerful that, to this day, I can clearly recall my visit fifty years ago as a 3 year old child and still feel the presence, strength and influence of Thomas Jefferson, the man honored there.

Thomas Jefferson is truly an American icon for the ages, in his brilliance and dedication to the ideals of democracy. As someone providentially born into a unique period of history, he had the courage to stand against the tyranny of England and to inflame the sentiments of a nation.

[Reprinted from www.bartleby.com]

From Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address
Wednesday, March 4, 1801

Let us, then, with courage and confidence pursue our own Federal and Republican principles, our attachment to union and representative government. Kindly separated by nature and a wide ocean from the exterminating havoc of one quarter of the globe; too high-minded to endure the degradations of the others; possessing a chosen country, with room enough for our descendants to the thousandth and thousandth generation; entertaining a due sense of our equal right to the use of our own faculties, to the acquisitions of our own industry, to honor and confidence from our fellow-citizens, resulting not from birth, but from our actions and their sense of them; enlightened by a benign religion, professed, indeed, and practiced in various forms, yet all of them inculcating honesty, truth, temperance, gratitude, and the love of man; acknowledging and adoring an overruling Providence, which by all its dispensations proves that it delights in the happiness of man here and his greater happiness hereafter—with all these blessings, what more is necessary to make us a happy and a prosperous people? Still one thing more, fellow-citizens—a wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.

Jersey City Police Department Waterfront Security Event: Community Policing Par Excellence

2011-05-17T22:25:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, May 17, 2011, the Jersey City Police Department held their monthly Waterfront Security Event for corporate representatives, private security personnel, emergency responders and law enforcement officials. This initiative is an outstanding community policing program that forges a unity of effort partnership benefiting security and safety in Jersey City.

As the featured speaker I delivered a presentation titled Layoffs: An Alarming Trend Endangering Company and Community Safety. It identified serious issues in contemporary American society as well as practical solutions and responses including:

A culture of callousness, violence and death
Alarming rise of police fatalities
Company and law enforcement layoffs
Domestic violence spilling over into the workplace
Virginia Tech lessons learned: principles of crisis planning
Workplace violence prevention: warning signs and employee terminations
Target hardening and security vulnerability assessments
Threat assessment teams

As with all of my presentations, it concluded with a tribute honoring those making sacrifices serving our nation in the military, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Jersey City Police Department, especially represented by East District Commander Captain Joseph A. Connors and Community Relations Officer Dina Reilly are to be commended for this initiative. It is a community policing program par excellence that fosters law enforcement partnerships with the entire Jersey City community.

Robert Waters School: Encouraging Character in Union City Students

2011-04-13T20:42:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, I had the pleasure of returning to the Union City Public Schools in Hudson County, New Jersey to provide presentations to over 300 students and educators at the Robert Waters School. This was a continuation of numerous educational initiatives for administrators, security personnel, school crossing guards, parents and students throughout the district. At this event, the students met in the gym for a presentation titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World that included the importance of character through social networking.

Social networking technology includes:

Instant Messaging, email, voice connection and web cams
Online Community websites, such as MySpace and Facebook
Media sharing websites, such as YouTube, Picasa and Flickr
Cell Phones for voice, text, picture and video sharing

Some of the highlights of the event included:

Focusing on what it means to be a student which includes personal responsibility, reaching one’s full potential and achieving greatness by making sacrifices. Students discussed the importance of encouraging one another and avoiding negativity and criticism.
Honestly confronting problems at home and school.
The importance of working together and being involved with the community including family and friends, church, community organizations and school.
Developing personal leadership especially through the quality of character.
The use of a Secret Power: "You have the power to change the world by helping each other do what is right."

We then explored the dangers of inappropriate content, including:

Misinformation
Pictures / Videos
Language / Sexting
Gangs / Criminal Activity
Bullies / Cyberbullying
Predators

All students were encouraged to get involved, making "Character: The Heart of the Matter," as inspired by Rachel Scott's Challenge:

ELIMINATE PREJUDICE
by looking for the Best in Others
DARE TO DREAM
Set Goals—Keep a Journal
CHOOSE YOUR INFLUENCES
Input Determines Output
KIND WORDS
Small Acts of Kindness = Huge Impact
START A CHAIN REACTION
With Family & Friends

As with all of my presentations, we concluded with a tribute honoring American Military Sacrifices.

Robert Waters School is to be highly commended for this initiative that encourages students to reach their full potential, wisely using the tools of the computer age, helping one another, developing personal character and enhancing a sense of patriotism.

Rachel Joy Scott (3:32)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR8Eae9vQ4g">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Rachel's Challenge	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site

Rosemarie D’Alessandro: Honoring Joan's Joy

2011-02-18T05:38:00.003-05:00

Recently I had the unforgettable privilege of being introduced to Rosemarie D’Alessandro through my friend Chief Anthony Jannicelli of the Woodcliff Lake, NJ Police Department. Little did I imagine what a profound experience this would be.

As I sat with Rosemarie in her living room, I understood clearly the devoted love of a mother as she pointed to various mementos of her beloved daughter Joan who was murdered by a neighbor while delivering Girl Scout cookies. I will forever remember the look in Rosemarie’s eyes as she pointed through her living room window to the house just across the street where the tragedy took place.

Reprinted From www.joansjoy.org

Joan's Joy Is With Us

Case Background

Joan was seven years old when she was delivering two boxes of Girl Scout cookies to a neighbor who lived across the street, three houses down from her house. The neighbor, a Tappan Zee high school chemistry teacher, Joseph McGowan raped and murdered her. This happened on April 19, 1973 - Holy Thursday. Joan’s body was found three days later on Easter Sunday in a sepulcher like space in a large rock at Harriman State Park, New York.

Her killer, Joseph McGowan received a life sentence which meant that after 14 years he would be eligible for parole. He became eligible for parole in 1987 and was denied. In 1993 when he became eligible again there was a nine month campaign spearheaded by Joan’s mom, Rosemarie, which included a candlelight vigil to keep him behind bars. He received a twenty year term which was reduced to twelve years because of work credits and good behavior credits. He appealed his ineligibility for parole twice and the first time the appeals court requested new information from the parole board. The second time three appellate court judges decided to return his request to the parole board again. The parole board was told they had to base their decision on whether or not the inmate would commit another crime. Whether he was rehabilitated was not an issue. In reevaluating the entire case, the parole board received the assistance of John Douglas, the innovator of criminal personality profiling. It was determined through his help that McGowan has the makeup of a mass murderer or serial killer. Also John Douglas got him to open up, and McGowan mentioned that he had inherited money from his deceased mother and it was put away so the D’Alessandro family couldn’t get it. He had used this money to hire a lawyer for his first two appeals. On December 2, 1998, the parole board denied his parole again. Acting as his own lawyer he appealed for a third time but the appeals court affirmed the parole board’s decision on February 15, 2002. McGowan became eligible for parole again in January 2009 and was denied. The parole board will soon decide when his fourth eligibility will be.

Rosemarie believed that changes in our laws were needed. After three years of work and a grassroots movement, Joan’s Law was signed by Governor Christie Whitman on April 3, 1997 in New Jersey. It says that anyone who murders a child under fourteen years of age in conjunction with a sexual offense will never be eligible for parole and will never get out of prison. The law cannot apply to Joan’s case because it is not retroactive. A Federal version of Joan’s Law was signed by President Clinton on October 30, 1998.

Seeing the need for more victims’ rights, Rosemarie proposed and advocated the Justice for Victims’ Law that was passed in New Jersey on November 17, 2000. It eliminates the statue of limitations for wrongful death actions brought in murder, manslaughter and aggravated manslaughter cases, allowing the victims to sue criminals if they acquire inheritance or other assets any time after the crime. She used the law on April 19, 2001 on the twenty eighth anniversary of Joan’s death to file a wrongful death suit against Joan’s killer to insure that he will not have monies for appeals. He did not contest the suit and on September 26, 2001 a $750,000 judgment was awarded. To this date about $600 has been collected and it has all gone to Joan’s Foundation.

A New York version of Joan’s Law was signed by Governor George Pataki on September 15, 2004 in Harriman State Park, the site where Joan was found. 1998 marked the 25th Anniversary of Joan’s death. A Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation, which is nonprofit, was created. Its goals are to promote child safety and protection, advance victims’ rights and help homeless and neglected youth. Joan’s legacy lives on through the Laws and the Foundation. Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation.

We must pause to remember Joan and all innocent victims of violence. And we must always stand ready to assist women like Rosemarie, who has lived a life of courage to honor her daughter and to protect others from such a tragedy.

READ MORE

Joan's Joy	Click here to visit site
The Surviving Parents Coaltion	Click here to visit site

Massive Police Layoffs: An Alarming Trend Endangering Public Safety in America

2010-12-30T10:03:00.005-05:00

As a certified law enforcement instructor and national speaker, it has been a privilege to conduct presentations for law enforcement personnel of every conceivable rank and agency. It has also been my privilege to serve as a community policing/crime prevention instructor and advocate, assisting with the certification of law enforcement personnel. With these experiences, I have met countless men and women who serve our nation’s communities through their noble and necessary profession. Their service is integral not only to public safety but to the very morale of American society.

With this in mind, I have great concerns for public safety and for the safety of law enforcement personnel due to the continuous headlines of massive police layoffs. This is not the course that the communities of the greatest nation on the earth should take but this trend is tragically indicated as in these recent headlines:

Newark finalizes 167 police layoffs…
Passaic County Sheriff’s Department lays off 24
Camden council approves layoffs of nearly half of police force
Paterson considers cutting police force by 150 officers
Jersey City Police Layoffs Part of Larger Cop Cuts Statewide
East Orange to lay off dozens of police officers…
Officers Uneasy As Police Layoffs Loom in Phoenix
Brace yourself: Police layoffs could cost lives
Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force
Police Layoffs in Michigan Fuels Public Safety Debate
More police, fire layoffs coming in February
Will thousands of Police Layoffs Unleash Chaos and Anarchy Across America
New Jersey sees 15-percent spike in homicides over past year
4 Police Officers Shot Dead in Lakewood Coffeehouse Ambush
Philadelphia Police Officer Killed On Duty
Three police officers killed in Oakland shootings
5 Police Officers Shot in Jersey City: Follows Killings of Police in Philadelphia and Oakland
Oakland Police layoffs mark the end of community policing

Parenthetically, a recent published report held this title: Police Fatalities jump 37 percent in 2010 with a sobering quote in the article,

“There is a more cold blooded brazen criminal element prowling the streets of America today.”

In my opinion, American cities (and the dedicated men and women of law enforcement) are in great danger when the critical mission of law enforcement is compromised by massive cutbacks. Questions must be answered such as where is the impact of a national stimulus plan when public safety is so tragically compromised? And how can the profoundly sound ideals of community policing and crime prevention continue when budgets streamline these units and personnel because of the requirements of patrol which influence reactive rather than proactive initiatives?

America must not allow its communities and honorable law enforcement profession to be victimized by this current trend of layoffs. There is a way to be financially sound without undermining what is critical to the very heart of our communities and the nation itself: public safety.

READ MORE

Police fatalities jump 37 percent in 2010	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Community Policing Blogs	Click here to visit site

Federal Report: Virginia Tech Violated Law Failing to Warn the Campus

2010-12-11T13:21:00.005-05:00

Since the April 16, 2007 tragedy, I have stated emphatically in my presentations, blogs, response and newest book Listen To Their Cries, that Virginia Tech failed their community with an inexcusable response to the tragedy. Essentially, I have expressed their response as a failure of judgment, competence and leadership that allowed more than two hours to pass after the first killings before issuing an alert to their campus. Compounding this failure was another clear expression of egregious negligence, their warning was vague. The results were the senseless and preventable deaths of 30 more community members after the first two murders and many additional injuries.

On December 9, 2010 my teachings on the failure of Virginia Tech were affirmed by the findings of the United States Department of Education’s report and were published in reports throughout the nation.

Reprinted From Google News

Feds: Va. Tech broke law in '07 shooting response

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Federal education officials have found Virginia Tech broke the law when it waited two hours to warn the campus that a gunman was on the loose, too late to save 30 students and faculty who went to class and were killed in the 2007 rampage.

The U.S. Department of Education issued a report Thursday rejecting the university's defense of its conduct and confirming that the school violated the Clery Act, which requires that students and employees be notified of on-campus threats.

The report concludes that the university failed to issue a timely warning to the Blacksburg campus after student Seung-Hui Cho shot and killed two students in a dormitory early on the morning of April 16, 2007.

"Virginia Tech's failure to issue timely warnings about the serious and ongoing threat deprived its students and employees of vital, time-sensitive information and denied them the opportunity to take adequate steps to provide for their own safety," the report stated.

Virginia Tech officials did not send an e-mail to the campus community about the shootings until two hours later, about the time Cho was chaining shut the doors to a classroom building where he killed 30 more students and faculty, then himself.

It is my hope that this United States Department of Education report serves truth, accountability and consequences and that these issues are further served by the pending lawsuits against the university by victims of the tragedy.

READ MORE

USDOE Report	Click here to visit site
Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide For Schools And Communities	Click here to visit site
The Handbook for Campus Crime Reporting	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

1,500 Attend Character Education Initiative at West Milford High School

2010-10-20T22:45:00.006-04:00

On Thursday, October 20, 2010 an initiative that crystallized the importance of renewing character education took place for 1,500 members of West Milford High School in Northern Passaic County, New Jersey. The event was attended by all students as well as by faculty, staff and administrators.

As the speaker for the event, I was privileged to address every student of the high school with a program titled Be a Person of Character: Change the World. The program was delivered in two separate assemblies, first for the 9th and 10th grade followed by a session for the 11th and 12th grade. It was modified for each venue due to the different social and emotional dynamics of each group.

Through an honest assessment of contemporary concerns in the nation, indicated by the collision courses of corruption, violence, broken families, alcohol/substance abuse, driving under the influence tragedies and toxic relationships, the program challenged the students to influence America, one person at a time, by living a life of character.

Recent headlines, very familiar to the students, were identified and evaluated including:

The suicide of 18 year old Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi who took his life on September 22, 2010 by jumping off of the George Washington Bridge. Clementi's roommate and roommate's friend are charged with invasion of privacy, accused of taping Clementi having a sexual encounter with a young man and posting it live on the web
The murder of Yale student Annie Le, whose body was found on what should have been her wedding day
The "Suicide by Bullying" tragedy of Phoebe Prince from South Hadley, Massachusetts
The sexting incident that led to the death of 18 year-old Jessie Logan from Cincinnati, Ohio
Megan Meier's loss of life due to a cyber-bullying MySpace hoax. Megan committed suicide by hanging herself just prior to her 14th birthday
Michael Brewer,15, set on fire after been doused with rubbing alcohol by three teens, ages 13, 15 and 16 in Broward County, Florida, after a stolen bicycle incident. Over 65% of Michael's body was burned
The shocking murder of lacrose player Yeardley Love at the University of Virginia
The brutal "text rage" beating into a coma of teenager Josie Lou Ratley. Josie spent 41 days in the hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and had 3 surgeries

In light of these recent tragedies, the presentation emphasized that by living a life of character, communities of hope can be cultivated and each student has the power to change the world by helping others do what is right. Being a person of character in all our actions, including the manner in which we express ourselves through Online social networking and texting was highlighted. The positive contributions being made throughout the country by young students as documented in the CNN special Young People Who Rock were utilized as a call to action, including:

Elizabeth Torres--a national speaker who tells students, "We won't stumble. We've come to save the world."
Brittany Merrill--started a non-profit to help Uganda's poor, raising $800,000 in donations and also opened an orphanage for 180 children in Texas.
Aaron Fotheringham--born with spina bifida but extreme sports competitor and champion
Sadiya Buta--came to the U.S. from war torn Somalia; star tennis player with perfect GPA
Taraje Williams Murray--a four time national judo champion with 16 hour training days
Matt Cerner--founded sports clinic for children of special needs, working with 100 special needs kids and their families
Winnie Phan--started Safe Walk Program with older students mentoring younger students afraid of walking to schools in troubled neighborhoods

The call to action was also inflamed as inspired by the life of Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine. Rachel's example of kindness and compassion--coupled with the contents of her 6 diaries which have become the foundation of a life changing character education program for American schools--was warmly received by the students.

As with all of my presentations, the event concluded with a tribute to the American Military who serve our nation in harm's way, allowing us our liberty and freedom.

After addressing the entire school community, I spent an hour with about 40 students who serve the school in the Peers as Leaders Initiative. After sharing a customized short presentation with them, they broke up in groups to share their own concerns on issues important to their school communities. Afterwards, a leader from each of the groups shared insights with all peer leaders which focused on practical ways in which they can influence their school. These included:

Enhancing interaction with the entire school community
Cultivating their mentoring approach to the student body
Building cohesiveness and strengthening school spirit through example and respect for others
Promoting the positive work of the Peers as Leaders through outreach in the school and positive involvement

The entire West Milford High School community deserves recognition for their dedication to this character education initiative. A special commendation is deserving of Principal Maureen Bernstock whose visionary leadership led to the success of the event.

READ MORE

West Milford High School	Click here to visit site
West Milford Public Schools	Click here to visit site
CNN-Young People Who Rock	Click here to visit site

New Jersey Safe Schools Conference Keynote: Transforming Our Schools

2010-10-02T11:40:00.005-04:00

Headlines continue to express tragic stories of school, campus, workplace and domestic violence as well as character and academic deficiencies and demand a clarion call to reawaken the heart of the nation in our schools through leadership, vigilance and collaboration.

Rising to the occasion, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) will hold a Health and Safety Conference at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick on October 29-30, 2010. This conference is designed to insure that teachers, educational support professionals, administrators, students, law enforcement and families have the tools they need for schools to be free from violence and unnecessary risks.

As the keynote speaker for conference, I will present Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security. The presentation will integrate elements of school security, character education, academic achievement and community collaboration so vital to our schools and to the future of our nation. Gang awareness, on-line social networking and technology, cyber bullying and under the influence concerns will also be covered. The metaphor of a head on collision with the culture of violence and crisis of character will be utilized to demonstrate the serious issues confronting society and critical New Jersey compliance issues addressed. These include the Commissioner of Education School Administrator Procedures of Responding to Critical Incidents and Model School Security Policies:

Active Shooter Response Procedures
Bomb Threat Response Procedures
Evacuation Procedures
School Lockdown Procedures
Public Information Procedures

The School Security Drill Guide for the State of New Jersey will also be presented since beginning November 1, 2010 all New Jersey schools must comply with various security drills aside from fire drills.

Critical documents from the U.S. Department of Education, Secret Service and FBI on crisis planning, early warning signs, safeguarding our students, threat assessments, character education and violence prevention will also be addressed. Attendees will be encouraged to work collaboratively and to implement programs through professional development, security vulnerability assessments and initiatives that encompass all elements of the community. All attendees will receive commemorative edition copies of my newest book, Listen To Their Cries: Calling the Nation to Renewal from Columbine to Virginia Tech which covers:

The crisis of leadership and character in our society
Memorializes the incidents of school violence over the past decade
Reviews lessons learned from the Virginia Tech tragedy
Highlights the basics of safety and security
Offers a vision for reawakening the heart of America through our nations schools

A concrete and practical action plan will also be presented to all attendees so they are empowered to return to their schools and districts with the tools they need to be catalysts of transformation.

READ MORE

NJEA Conference	Click here to visit site
Listen To Their Cries	Click here to visit site
New Jersey Department of Education School Security	Click here to visit site
A UNIFORM STATE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN EDUCATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS	Click here to visit site
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FAQs	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools – August 1998	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide – April 2000	Click here to visit site
Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and Creating Safe School Climates	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES – May 2002	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES – May 2003	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove School Violence Blogs	Click here to visit site

A National Disgrace: Insurance Companies Profiting On Soldiers' Death Benefits

2010-09-19T00:00:00.005-04:00

One of the most moving experiences in my life was attending an internment service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia to honor Lt. Mark Dooley who was killed while serving our nation in Iraq.

This profound experience is documented in my article Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot and in my book Listen To Their Cries:

On Friday July 13, 2007, I was privileged to attend the full military interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery of Army 1st Lt. Mark H. Dooley, 27, who was killed in Iraq on September 19, 2005. Lt. Mark Dooley was from Wallkill, New York and was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), 42nd Infantry Division, Vermont Army National Guard, Jericho, Vermont. Mark would have celebrated his 29th birthday on Sunday, July 15, 2007, a day after his remains were honored at Arlington.

I was invited to this solemn event by his parents, Marion and Peter Dooley. I met Marion Dooley at a school violence prevention presentation for the Wallkill School District in New York on November 22, 2006. Because I honor American Military personnel at each of my presentations, Marion shared with me the story of her military sons.

The ceremony was profoundly inspirational thanks to the devotion and presence of his parents, his brother Charlie – who also serves in the U.S. Army – and the many family members, friends, educators and military personnel (including the honor guard) who came to honor Mark Dooley and remember him as a man of commitment, courage and patriotism. Although there are many vignettes that can be used to capture the event, I will never forget the expressive faces of those who honored Mark and the "clip-clop" of horse hooves in soothing cadence as they transported the caisson that carried Mark's remains. It was the perfect orchestration of nature and emotions during the one mile procession to Marks final resting place, as though even the horses understood, honored and sympathized with the gravity of the interment.

Based on not only this experience, but on a life long admiration for all who serve our nation's military, I am particularly appalled because of a recent story posted on MSNBC titled Making a profit on soldiers' death benefits. The story presents a reprehensible scenario that large insurance companies are profiting from billions of dollars they hold on behalf of the families of fallen military service members. Some of the articles insights include:

100 carriers that use retained-asset accounts to earn income on the $28 billion owed to beneficiaries
Planning by insurance companies with beneficiaries that as an alternative to a lump-sum payment, they leave the bulk of the policy with the carriers
Carriers, meanwhile, invest the money, obtaining a far higher return than what they offer to beneficiaries. Families often receive misleading guarantees on the accounts which are not in federally insured banks

All who serve in our nations military to insure the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy deserve the greatest honor, especially those who have fallen and offered the ultimate sacrifice. Companies who profit through misleading scenarios that prey on the victims' families are to be held accountable. Government leaders should proceed with full force legislative actions that address this insult not only to fallen service members and their families but to the very character of our nation.

READ MORE

Lt Mark H. Dooley 5K Race	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site
Making a profit on soldiers death benefits	Click here to visit site

Over 300 Attend Southern New Jersey Prosecutors School Security Conference

2010-08-13T06:00:00.008-04:00

A Note from the Prosecutors

Welcome to the 4th Annual School Security Conference. The goal of the conference is to educate law enforcement and school officials alike on the challenges of safeguarding our students and school personnel. School security issues are common to us all. We are all dealing with providing important public service with limited financial resources.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative for law enforcement and school districts to coordinate our efforts to deal effectively with the challenges facing us all. It is our firm belief that working together, we will keep our schools safe.

Respectfully,

Theodore F. L. Housel — Atlantic County Prosecutor
Robert D. Bernardi — Burlington County Prosecutor
Warren W. Faulk — Camden County Prosecutor
Robert L. Taylor — Cape May Prosecutor
Jennifer Webb — McRae-Cumberland County Prosecutor
Sean F. Dalton — Gloucester County Prosecutor
John T. Lenahan — Salem County Prosecutor

These prosecutors of southern New Jersey held their conference on August 12, 2010 at Washington Township High School in Sewell, New Jersey with over 300 law enforcement, school and community officials attending. The speakers included:

Sean F. Dalton—Gloucester County Prosecutor
Jennifer Webb-McRae—Cumberland County Prosecutor
Michael Pohle—Father of Michael Pohle, Jr., a student killed at Virginia Tech
Vincent J. Bove—Leadership and Security Educator
Paula T. Dow—Attorney General of the State of New Jersey
Richard Norcross—Gang Awareness Authority

As a featured speaker, I was privileged to deliver a 60 minute presentation titled Transforming Our Schools: Reawakening the Heart of the Nation. The presentation integrated elements of school security, character education, academic achievement and community collaboration so vital to our schools and to the future of our nation. The metaphor of a head on collision with the culture of violence and crisis of character was utilized as well as critical New Jersey compliance issues. These included the Commissioner of Education School Administrator Procedures of Responding to Critical Incidents and Model School Security Policies:

Active Shooter Response Procedures
Bomb Threat Response Procedures
Evacuation Procedures
School Lockdown Procedures
Public Information Procedures

The School Security Drill Guide for the State of New Jersey was also discussed since beginning November 1, 2010 all New Jersey schools must comply with various security drills aside from fire drills.

Critical documents from the U.S. Department of Education, Secret Service and FBI on crisis planning, early warning signs, safeguarding our students, threat assessments, character education and violence prevention were also addressed. Attendees were encouraged to work collaboratively and to implement programs through professional development, security vulnerability assessments and initiatives that encompass all elements of the community.

The presentation was complimented with copies of my newest book Listen To Their Cries which was sponsored for all attendees through the generosity of the prosecutors as facilitated by the leadership of Prosecutor Dalton. As with all of my presentations, it concluded with a tribute to the American Military.

The prosecutors are to be commended for their practical response to school security through this conference. It is an event highly recommended and mission critical to our nation and will hopefully be imitated through the leadership of prosecutors throughout the nation.

READ MORE

Listen To Their Cries	Click here to visit site
New Jersey Department of Education School Security	Click here to visit site
A UNIFORM STATE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN EDUCATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS	Click here to visit site
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FAQs	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools – August 1998	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide – April 2000	Click here to visit site
Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and Creating Safe School Climates	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES – May 2002	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES – May 2003	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove School Violence Blogs	Click here to visit site

Prosecutors Take the Lead in Safe Schools Initiative

2010-07-17T08:59:00.008-04:00

School violence and crisis management continues to be a concern for law enforcement, education and community leaders that needs proactive leadership, vigilance and collaboration.

To this end, the seven Southern New Jersey Prosecutors Offices are to be commended for their dedication to school safety and security. On Thursday, August 12, 2010, they will present their 4th annual school safety and security conference which serves as a model for what our community leaders must do throughout the entire nation. This event is designed for the following community members:

Superintendents
Principals/Administrators
Counselors/Psychologists
Board Members
School Resource Officers
Crisis Management Teams
Chiefs of Police
Sheriffs/Law Enforcement Executives/Management
Emergency Services Personnel
Mayors/Council Members
College Administrators/Public Safety Personnel
Coaches/Teachers/Educational Support
D.A.R.E. Officers
District/Campus Security Directors

As an invited speaker, I will deliver a presentation titled Transforming Our Schools: Reawakening the Heart of the Nation. It will integrate school safety and security issues with character education and academic achievement so mission critical to our schools, communities and the nation. It is also an honor that the first 300 registrants will receive a copy of my newest book, Listen To Their Cries: Calling the Nation to Renewal from Columbine to Virginia Tech. This was made possible through the generosity of the prosecutors as facilitated by the leadership of Prosecutor Sean F. Dalton of Gloucester County.

The seven counties involved with this event include:

Atlantic
Burlington
Camden
Cape May
Cumberland
Gloucester
Salem

Other speakers include the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey and the State of New Jersey Commissioner of Education.

A special recognition is also deserved by the Gloucester and Salem County Prosecutor's Offices "Security Initiative Committee" as well as J.C. Magee Security Solutions and Sonitrol Security of Delaware Valley.

READ MORE

Listen To Their Cries	Click here to visit site
New Jersey Department of Education School Security	Click here to visit site
A UNIFORM STATE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN EDUCATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS	Click here to visit site
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FAQs	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools – August 1998	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide – April 2000	Click here to visit site
Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and Creating Safe School Climates	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES – May 2002	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES – May 2003	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove School Violence Blogs	Click here to visit site

Gulf Coast Oil Catastrophe: A Crisis of Leadership

2010-06-14T06:00:00.003-04:00

There will be thousands of stories covering the Gulf Coast Oil Spill from countless vantage points well into the future. Yet, the essence of any coverage of this catastrophe from a leadership / management perspective, if it is to have any authenticity whatsoever, must have incompetence, apathy and egregious negligence as its foundation.

Since the entire nation is greatly concerned over this calamity, there will be many viewpoints. Allow this one to be through an analysis of the very basic principles of crisis management and emergency preparedness.

In a June 9 published report titled BP contingency plan for dealing with oil spill was riddled with errors, the following is included:

Naming a long deceased scientist as a recommended expert on wildlife contamination
Regarding oil spills specifically in the gulf, the document lists walruses, sea otters, sea lions and seals as potential victims. None of these are found in the gulf
Even if the leak were 10 times worse than now, the plan states oil would not reach the shore. Contamination has already greatly impacted Louisiana marshlands and tar balls have appeared as far away as Florida beaches
The plan lists a firm called Marine Spill Response Corp as a group able to supply equipment but the website for this company leads to a defunct Japanese language web page
BP maintains in the document that it can coordinate vessels to pick up 20m gallons of oil from the water each day-a highly exaggerated statistic
Bob Lutz is named as a wildlife expert listed at the University of Miami but the Associated Press states he has not been there for over 20 years and died four years before the plan was approved

In a previous security position in which I managed over 400 security personnel at sites including CNBC, Citigroup, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Saint Peter's College, The Daily News and JP Morgan Chase, post orders documented detailed contingency plans for dealing with potential emergencies. There was also emergency contact information which included every possible contact number for key personnel. These documents were paramount to protecting the clients and were always meticulously maintained, updated and revised. This information, for each and every account at every site, was maintained and signed off on collaboratively by key company management and available round the clock. The post orders were also maintained at the various posts at each site. This was essential to protect people, property and information at all customer locations and to maintain the integrity and dignity of the security profession.

It is therefore immensely disheartening to observe such overt deficiencies with BP documents. This information immediately eradicates any possible level of competence, professionalism and integrity since the very basic principles of crisis management and emergency preparedness were violated.

Lives have been lost with this tragedy and livelihoods, wildlife, coastlands and communities are being destroyed with no end in sight. All those with responsibilities in the disciplines of crisis management and emergency preparedness must heed well that competence, professionalism and vigilance must always be the order of the day.

READ MORE

BP contingency plan for dealing with oil spill was riddled with errors

Click here to visit site

USDOE: Virginia Tech 2007 Tragedy Response Violated Notification Law

2010-05-31T18:00:00.000-04:00

According to published reports throughout the nation on May 19, 2010, the preliminary U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) investigation of the Virginia Tech tragedy found the university violated federal law requiring timely warning of a crisis on campus.

Virginia Tech was notified of this USDOE finding on January 21, 2010 but only made it public (despite attempts by the press for Virginia Tech to release it earlier based on the Freedom of Information Act) on May 18, 2010—accompanying the federal report with their 73 page response.

Reprinted From U.S. News & World Report

Report Says Virginia Tech's Slow Response to Shootings Violated Law

May 19, 2010

BY JEFF GREER

An Education Department report released on Wednesday says that Virginia Tech failed to comply with a federal law that requires quick alerts to students in the event of campus emergencies. The document claimed the school responded too slowly to the 2007 campus shootings that killed 32, the Washington Post reports. This preliminary report prompted a swift rebuttal by the school, saying that the federal investigation of the school's response to the shootings had factual and legal errors.

The report says that Virginia Tech violated the Clery Act, a statute that necessitates swift alerts when campus emergencies unfold. Virginia Tech failed to notify the campus community quickly enough after the shooting of two students in an on-campus dormitory, the report says. The shooter, a Virginia Tech student named Seung Hui Cho, shot and killed 30 others in a campus building about two hours later.

"Virginia Tech failed to issue adequate warnings in a timely manner in response to the tragic events of April 16, 2007," the federal officials write in the report. "There are two aspects to this violation. First, the warnings that were issued by the university were not prepared or disseminated in a manner to give clear and timely notice of the threat to the health and safety of campus community members. Secondly, Virginia Tech did not follow its own policy for the issuance of timely warnings as published in its annual campus security reports."

In my opinion, the 73 page rebuttal of Virginia Tech to the USDOE findings is outlandish. Tech’s approach, through their new Director of Emergency Management Michael Mulhare—who was not at the university during the tragedy—is an attempt to obfuscate the meaning of timely warning and emergency notification as distinct policies that are not clearly defined.

What remains irrefutably clearly defined is that two students were killed on campus and the killer was at large, yet, Virginia Tech administration did not diligently, clearly and immediately notify the community of this tragedy. This lack of judgment, competence and leadership was responsible for 30 additional fatalities and many other injuries. Families entrusted their children and loved ones to the care of Virginia Tech who failed to protect them from crimes that were preventable. The continual disingenuous manipulation of information by VT administrators not only dishonors the victims but shamefully disrespects their families.

The reasonable mind does not need a policy to immediately take action to protect students and the college community when such a horrific act takes place on a campus and the killer is at large. Nevertheless, if Virginia Tech is going to continually look for loopholes and technical jargon in their chronic menagerie of denial, distortion and deception (obviously administration is aware that additional lawsuits are pending) perhaps they should know that the reasonable standard with such a crisis at a campus was very clearly documented years before the tragedy in the Recovery section (page 4-2) of the USDOE May 2003 Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities: Respond within seconds

This reasonable standard was also clearly documented years before the tragedy in the 2005 Department of Education handbook titled The Handbook for Campus Crime Reporting (pages 61-62) guiding schools on the implementation of the Clery Act which says:

"The warning should be issued as soon as the pertinent information is available because the intent of a timely warning is to alert the campus community of continuing threats especially concerning safety, thereby enabling community members to protect themselves."

READ MORE

Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide For Schools And Communities	Click here to visit site
The Handbook for Campus Crime Reporting	Click here to visit site
USDOE Report and Virginia Tech Response	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

Memorial Day: Honoring Character, Courage, Sacrifice

2010-05-27T18:04:00.000-04:00

It has been my privilege to deliver presentations on character, violence prevention and leadership to audiences throughout the United States. At the conclusion of each presentation is an American Military Tribute that honors all Americans who serve our nation in the armed forces.

As the nation celebrates Memorial Day, the character, courage and sacrifice of military personnel deserves our devotion and prayerful reflection.

Remembering the sacrifices they have made—some by giving their lives—to preserve our liberty is a sacred obligation. Each American should participate in an observance in their community or a visit to sacred ground where those who have served are laid to rest.

At 3:00pm on Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks all Americans to pause for one minute in a national act of unity. This expression allows our nation to be unified and to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred holiday it was meant to be.

Saving Private Ryan (3:50)

Tomb of the Unknowns (3:13)

D-Day (3:08)

Remember Me (5:23)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO61uM8gnTs">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Commission on Remembrance	Click here to visit site
Patriotism Blogs	Click here to visit site

America's Youth: Transforming the Nation through Character

2010-05-12T06:00:00.007-04:00

On Monday and Tuesday, May 10 and 11, 2010 an initiative that crystallized the importance of renewing character education took place for over 1,000 students of Fort Lee High School in Bergen County, New Jersey.

As the speaker for the event, I was privileged to address every student of the high school with a program titled Generation of Hope: Be a Person of Character. The program was delivered separately in assemblies for each grade from freshmen through seniors. It was modified for each venue due to the different social and emotional dynamics of each group.

Recent headlines, very familiar to the students, were identified and evaluated including:

The murder of Yale student Annie Le, whose body was found on what should have been her wedding day
The "Suicide by Bullying" tragedy of Phoebe Prince from South Hadley, Massachusetts
The sexting incident that led to the death of 18 year-old Jessie Logan from Cincinnati, Ohio
Megan Meier's loss of life due to a cyber-bullying MySpace hoax. Megan committed suicide by hanging herself just prior to her 14th birthday
Michael Brewer,15, set on fire after been doused with rubbing alcohol by three teens, ages 13, 15 and 16 in Broward County, Florida, after a stolen bicycle incident. Over 65% of Michael's body was burned
The shocking murder of lacrose player Yeardley Love at the University of Virginia
The brutal "text rage" beating into a coma of teenager Josie Lou Ratley. Josie spent 41 days in the hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and had 3 surgeries

Elizabeth Torres--a national speaker who tells students, "We won't stumble. We've come to save the world."
Brittany Merrill--started a non-profit to help Uganda's poor, raising $800,000 in donations and also opened an orphanage for 180 children in Texas.
Aaron Fotheringham--born with spina bifida but extreme sports competitor and champion
Sadiya Buta--came to the U.S. from war torn Somalia; star tennis player with perfect GPA
Taraje Williams Murray--a four time national judo champion with 16 hour training days
Matt Cerner--founded sports clinic for children of special needs, working with 100 special needs kids and their families
Winnie Phan--started Safe Walk Program with older students mentoring younger students afraid of walking to schools in troubled neighborhoods

As with all of my presentations, the event concluded with a tribute to the American Military who serve our nation in harm's way, allowing us our liberty and freedom.

The entire Fort Lee High School community deserves commendation for their dedication to this character education initiative. A special commendation is deserving of Teacher Carol Burghardt whose leadership and vision led to the success of the event. The Fort Lee Education Foundation is also deserving of recognition for their generous support of this program.

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Fort Lee High School	Click here to visit site
Fort Lee Education Foundation	Click here to visit site
CNN-Young People Who Rock	Click here to visit site

Leadership: Reawakening the Nation through our Schools

2010-05-04T22:26:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, May 1, 2010, I was privileged to present a two-hour program titled Educators: Reawakening the Heart of the Nation through our Schools to 150 educators at a leadership conference weekend organized through a partnership of the Bergen County Education Association and Passaic County Education Association.

The presentation affirmed the essential role of educators in reawakening the nation as a response to contemporary concerns of corruption, violence and under the influence issues. It stressed the importance of creating a culture of character, achievement and security in our school communities.

Some highlights addressed additional issues including:

Online Social Networking
Bullying/Cyberbullying
Gangs/Guns/Drugs
Eleven Principles of Character Education
School Safety and Security Best Practices
Principles of Crisis Management
Sexting/Text Rage
Diversity
Anger Management Principles for Students
Altruism: Essential for the School Community
Rachel's Challenge
Patriotism: Critical to the School Culture
Issues of Shattered Families
Early Warning Signs and Timely Collaborative Response
Building Better Staff/Parent/Community Connections
Preventive Education Transformation through Character

As with all of my presentations for educators, my goal was to empower them to use all of the resources we discussed to serve the youth entrusted to their care. Perhaps my closing words of the program crystallize the importance of the role that educators have in transforming the nation:

"Michelangelo and Da Vinci created the statue of David and Mona Lisa, respectively. Through Picasso's Guernica, individuals can see the inhumanity, brutality and hopelessness of war. Van Gogh's paintings have captivated and given millions serenity, comfort and inspiration.
"But above and beyond the mastery of all of the world's greatest artists, only a teacher can mold the heart of a child."

It was indeed an honor for me to address such dedicated individuals who serve our youth in school communities and I encourage them to realize how vital they are to the nation's schools, communities and families.

Remembering Columbine and Virginia Tech: A Time for Reverence and Vigilance

2010-04-15T23:24:00.000-04:00

As we approach the third anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy and the eleventh anniversary of the Columbine High School tragedy on April 16th and 20th, respectively, we must pause to reverently remember those who lost their lives, and all adversely affected by the tragedies, especially family members. These anniversaries must be prayerful experiences not only at Virginia Tech and Columbine, but in schools and communities throughout the nation.

Aside from this reverence, schools throughout the nation must also be vigilant and on heightened alert. Concerns must be responded to with an abundance of caution for it is always wisest to choose caution rather than convenience especially when it involves the health, safety and welfare of those entrusted to our care.

Virginia Tech Tribute (8:01)

Columbine Tribute (4:37)

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

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Virginia Tech Tribute	Click here to visit site
Columbine Tribute	Click here to visit site

School Bullying Awareness and Prevention: A Matter of Life and Death

2010-04-05T00:00:00.009-04:00

The recent suicide of fifteen-year-old Phoebe Prince from South Hadley High School in Massachusetts, who was mercilessly bullied for months, reminds us that bullying can have deadly consequences. It is not an acceptable rite of passage for American youth, but it is cruel, destructive and as tragically realized in this student's story, it can be lethal.

Aside from the tragedy of Phoebe's death, which has made national news and will hopefully serve as a clarion call to educators, parents, students and law enforcement to intensify bullying awareness and prevention, other youngsters have also lost their lives, including:

Jon Carmichael Loflin, 13 years old
Loflin Middle School
Joshua, Texas

As an eighth grader, Jon deserved to be excited about his upcoming high school days. Instead, acts of bullying by students who tormented him for being short led to his suicide.

Eric Mohat, 17 years old
Mentor High School
Mentor, Ohio

The excruciating bullying was so explicit that a bully in class dared him, "Why don't you go home and shoot yourself, no one will ever miss you," and Eric tragically did just that.

Parents have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against school administrators and a teacher. They claim bullying resulted in the deaths of 3 other students in Eric's class in 2007 which according to a published report, has been confirmed by officials at the school.

Megan Meir, 13 years old
Immaculate Conception Catholic School
Dardienne Prairie, Missouri

Three weeks before her 14th birthday, Megan Meir committed suicide by hanging herself. The suicide was attributed to a cyber-bullying hoax through the MySpace social networking site. An investigation led to the mother of a friend being indicted on the matter, although she was subsequently acquitted.

In my opinion, aside from the bullies who must be held accountable, bullying is a failure of the entire community and all elements of the community, including educators, counselors, parents, students, law enforcement and community leaders, must rise to the occasion and with full force dedication to bullying awareness and prevention initiatives.

For educators and counselors, who have a uniquely critical role with bullying awareness and prevention, I would encourage their leadership through the participation in a five day facilitated event by the U.S. Department of Education. It is a web based program designed to enhance an understanding of bullying among people. This program will also provide information needed to create or refine the school's bullying prevention plan and it provides an opportunity for the following:

Review the meaning of bullying and the extent of the problem for students and schools
Learn about the three main roles that students can play with respect to bullying, as well as the short- and long-term consequences associated with bullying
Examine a range of bullying prevention strategies, including educational campaigns, anti-bullying legislation and policies, and bullying prevention programs
Explore the need for a comprehensive approach to the prevention of bullying and identify the components of an evidence-based bullying prevention plan
Assess the status of your school's bullying prevention plan and explore additional resources that can further inform your bullying prevention efforts

Finally, educators would do well with familiarizing themselves with the preventive system of education. In my presentations on school violence prevention throughout the nation, I emphasize the elements of this pedagogical system which emphasizes:

Educators are admired in their dedication to the youth entrusted to their care
Educators are respected as individuals with character
Character is the edifice of the preventive system
Vigilance is exercised to prevent inappropriate behavior
Improvements with behavior are motivated
Speedy intervention to warning signs take place due to vigilance and awareness
Education earns the admiration of youth
Discipline can be as effective as an expression of disappointment or a reproachful look

In essence, this system of education is a natural compliment to Character Education as a matter of the heart. It can only be developed if the students know you care. They must experience your concern. If they know that you care, they will be inspired to attain great heights of character and achievement and deficiencies of character such as bullying will be prevented.

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ED.GOV
Exploring the Nature and Prevention of Bullying

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Achievement with Integrity: Social and Emotional Character Development as an Investment in the Nation’s Future

2010-03-23T00:00:00.006-04:00

It is the mission of the New Jersey Alliance for Social-Emotional and Character Development (NJASECD) to develop life-long learners who are responsible citizens prepared to enter the global society. The Alliance assists educators and all other stakeholders in their efforts to foster ethical, responsible and caring people as they model and teach the social-emotional skills and core ethical values that lead to good character.
Mission Statement of the New Jersey Alliance
for Social-Emotional and Character Development

On Monday, March 22, 2010, the New Jersey Alliance for Social-Emotional and Character Development held its third annual conference at the Rutgers University-Busch Campus Center in Piscataway. The event was titled Making The Links: Achievement With Integrity and was sponsored by the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University, Educational Information & Resource Center and the New Jersey Education Association.

As a leadership and security educator dedicated to character education, it was my pleasure to attend this event. The keynote was delivered by Dr. Philip M. Brown who used the different strands of DNA as an analogy to show the prosocial development interconnectedness of moral sensibilities (empathy and fairness) and the social sensibilities (self regulation and obligation to others) that work together in a person's life. Dr. Brown also stressed that the natural development of a student requires the nurturing that only a culture of character can satisfy.

After the keynote, I attended three breakout sessions:

Providing a Student Voice

This was conducted by educators from Colonia High School and it examined service- learning activities that were directed by the students of the school, including a survey conducted by the students. This facilitated a unification of values which were adopted by the school including respect, responsibility, caring, family and trust. Students became more involved with character education advisory groups in the school which included the:

Superintendent
School Board
Youth Leadership Council
Goodwill Ambassadors
Middle States
Student Forums
Surveys
Service Learning Projects

Implementing the Power of Professional Learning Communities as a Change Agent

This breakout, conducted by the Superintendent of the Pequannock Township Schools empowered faculty members to take the lead in promoting student achievement and implementing change in school and districts through professional learning communities. It highlighted leadership as an evolutionary process and encouraged educators to start small and grow and to choose good team players who have the best interests of students and colleagues at heart.

Collaboration rather than cooperation was also encouraged as well as expecting high professional standards, open communication and a constant focus on student learning.

Transitions: Building a New Program for Grade Nine Students

The principal and a team of educators from Ramapo-Indian Hills High School conducted this program which allows ninth-graders, as mentored by twelfth-graders, to promote positive decision-making, effective coping skills, good character and citizenship in the school. The effectiveness of this program included:

Dramatic drop in freshman referred for drug screening
Increased self-esteem among students
Decrease in disciplinary referrals
Increase in academic success
Decrease in attendance problem meetings
Reduction of referrals due to academic concerns

At the conclusion of the day was the 2010 State Schools of Character Award Ceremony and Reception.

Character education is vital to the welfare of the nation as a concrete response to a crisis of leadership. The New Jersey Alliance for Social-Emotional and Character Development is to be commended for their dedication to character education initiatives in the schools of New Jersey.

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EIRC	Click here to visit site
Center for Social and Character Development	Click here to visit site
New Jersey Alliance for Social-Emotional and Character Development	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Character Education Blogs	Click here to visit site

Ohio State University Murder: Background Check Missed 5 Year Prison Term of Hired Killer

2010-03-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

According to a published report in The Columbus Dispatch, a wrong birth date might have concealed that Nathaniel Brown, a custodian who killed his supervisor, shot and wounded another boss before shooting himself to death on March 9, 2010 had a criminal record. The report stated that he did 5 years of prison time for receiving stolen property but this was missed in the pre-employment background check.

This tragedy underscores once again the criticality of comprehensive background checks and hiring protocols which must include fingerprinting, social security numbers, department of motor vehicle reports, drug testing, previous employment verification, multiple interviews/staff approvals and document authenticity assessment of anyone that will have access to a school or campus community.

Excerpt reprinted from dispatch.com

A killer's lie missed
OSU wouldn't have hired Nathaniel Brown had
check revealed his past

Thursday, March 11, 2010

BY KATHY LYNN GRAY
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Brown answered "no" on his OSU job application to the question of whether he'd been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. Ohio prison records show he'd been in prison for five years, from July 1979 to March 1984, for receiving stolen property in Stark County.

OSU employment policy says job candidates who lie about criminal convictions won't be hired.

But OSU's background check on Brown didn't uncover his conviction.

Openonline, a records-research firm, completed a screening report on Brown for Ohio State before he was hired. The company checked Franklin County Common Pleas and Municipal courts and found no criminal records, its report shows.

The company, whose Columbus office is on Lake Shore Drive, also did what it calls a National One Report, which checks 524 criminal sources nationwide, according to the company Web site. That includes 308 county courts, 54 municipal courts and 52 sex- offender registries. The site does not list the courts covered.

In an e-mail response to questions yesterday, Angela Bosworth, the company's executive vice president, said it's possible the criminal record wasn't found because "there is a discrepancy between the date of birth reported by Mr. Brown and used for his pre- employment screening and the Department of Corrections record that has recently come to light."

Bosworth went on to say that "applicants with a criminal past have been known to provide incorrect date of birth information," which can cause errors in checks.

Bosworth couldn't be reached after the e-mail to ask whether applicants are checked other ways, such as by their Social Security number.

Bernard Kerik: Commissioner to Convict

2010-03-04T00:00:00.006-05:00

Bernard Kerik, former NYPD Police Commissioner, was sentenced on February 18, 2010 to four years in federal prison and must surrender on May 17th. He is the first commissioner in over 100 years to be found guilty of corruption.

Kerik pled guilty in November 2009, to eight felony charges, including tax fraud and lying after his nomination for the Homeland Security post.

Imposing a sentence greater than the recommended two to three years, the judge stated that federal sentencing guidelines did not account for Kerik's violation of the public trust while chief law enforcement officer for America's largest city. The judge also considered Kerik's lying to White House officials while attempting to secure a cabinet position as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

"I think its fair to say that with great power comes great responsibility and great consequences," said Judge Stephen C. Robinson.

As a leadership and security educator who has been privileged to be involved with outstanding law enforcement officials on many leadership, public safety, community policing and crime prevention initiatives, it is particularly disappointing to see their noble profession exploited by Kerik's crimes. His abuses of power are a contradiction to the extraordinary service, dedication and honor of law enforcement personnel in the NYPD and throughout the nation.

Concerned for years about the culture of corruption throughout society, I had an article published in The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine in December 2005 titled American Leadership in an Age of Scandal. It is my hope that these words will some day ring true and character will resound as the quality of our great nation:

Individuals within privileged levels of authority must realize that their positions are of sacrosanct trust and demand conduct beyond reproach. Positions of trust within both the public and private sector must walk along a pathway that is dedicated to service and highlighted by personal character, wisdom and integrity.

... Lincoln serves America to this very day as a model since the higher he rose and the greater the power, the worthier his conduct became. Lincoln's legacy holds the key to reversing the current scandalous trend of a public and private pestilence of corruption since he was not only a great man of profound authority but a man of unquestionable character. His character is inseparable from his thought, word and action and can be concisely understood from his words on February 27, 1860, "Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."

Hear and understand Abraham Lincoln well, all who are in positions of power and authority over the people of America.

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American Leadership in an Age of Scandal	Click here to visit site
Scandal and Corruption Blogs	Click here to visit site

The Violence Continues: School and Campus Crisis Management Readiness Needs Improvement Nationwide

2010-02-25T05:00:00.004-05:00

As tragic headlines continue to punctuate a culture of violence affecting schools and campuses nationwide, parents, faculty, administrators and staff must answer the questions: "Are we doing all we can to foresee and prevent a crisis? Are we ready if our school does experience a crisis?"

Three Faculty Members Shot Dead at University of Alabama-Huntsville

On Friday, February 12, three faculty members were shot dead and three hurt when shots were fired at a University of Alabama-Huntsville faculty meeting.

Suspect Amy Bishop was taken into custody by police shortly after the shootings and has been charged with capital murder and attempted murder.

Since the shootings, violent incidents have surfaced surrounding the suspect that deserves comprehensive investigations including an attempted mail bombing in 1993. Although Bishop and her husband were questioned, they were not charged. Dr. Paul Rosenberg received the bomb after Bishop quit her job at Children's Hospital in Boston following her poor review by Rosenberg.

Bishop also killed her brother in 1986 by gunshot, but authorities ruled it accidental.

Published reports indicated the shootings at the University of Alabama-Huntsville took place after tenure was denied to Bishop and that administration received complaints by students on her behavior on numerous occasions.

As details emerge, the issue of failing to respond to warning signs and red flags as well as comprehensive background checks of employees in positions of trust will be in need of assessment.

Manhattanville College Student Murdered on Campus

On Monday, February 22, Marissa Pagli, an 18 year-old Manhattanville student was found strangled to death in faculty housing on the campus in Purchase, New York. The police ruled the incident a homicide.

Two days later, her mother, Stacey Pagli, 37, was arrested and charged with the murder of her daughter according to Harrison police Captain Anthony Marraccini.

A published television report stated that students were notified via text message of the incident but it never mentioned a murder or a crime.

Two students shot at Colorado Middle School

On February 23, a seventh and eighth grader were shot at Deer Creek Middle School in Colorado as they were leaving school for the day. The school is just a few miles from Columbine High School which experienced one of the most tragic school violence tragedies in American history.

A gunman wielding a high powered rifle was tackled and subdued by school staff until deputies arrived.

David Benke, a math teacher at the school who first tackled the shooter, cited having previous drills with students at the school.

Virginia Tech Keeps Federal Education Report on Officials Actions Secret

On February 23, a published report documented the continuous crisis management failures surrounding the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Excerpt reprinted from hamptonroads.com

Va. Tech won't release early report on actions in massacre

February 23, 2010

BY DAVID RESS, TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Virginia Tech is keeping secret a report by federal education officials on its officials' actions during the April 16, 2007, massacre.

The university is declining to release the U.S. Department of Education's preliminary findings on its compliance with federal law on campus security that governs notification of threats to students and requires effective emergency plans.

… The university received the federal report at the start of the month. The Education Department issues such initial reports of findings when officials believe they have found at least one violation and some type of follow-up action or communication is required.

"This continues Virginia Tech's long history of a closed culture highly resistant to changes needed to protect their campus," said S. Daniel Carter, director of public policy at Security on Campus, a nonprofit founded by the parents of Lehigh University student and murder victim Jeanne Clery.

"Instead of being transparent about what happened and facing up to it, they're continuing to obfuscate and delay as if they've failed to learn the lessons of April 16 that nearly the entire rest of the higher education community has."

The federal law on campus security is named for Clery, who was raped and killed in her residence-hall room in 1986.

The U.S. Department of Education has under advisement a Freedom of Information Act request from Carter for a copy if its findings.

Carter said Tech is one of only two universities to have been subject to a full Department of Education review for problems with compliance with campus security law.

In 1997, the Education Department found that Tech did not accurately disclose sexual assaults on campus.

As incidents of school and campus violence tragically continue, the principles of crisis management

Mitigation and Prevention
Preparedness
Response
Recovery

must be the focus of intensified training, development and implementation.

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Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide For Schools And Communities	Click here to visit site
US Attorney orders review of 1993 mailbombing case tied to Amy Bishop	Click here to visit site
Manhattanville Murder - CBS Video Clip	Click here to visit site
Teacher tackles gunman after school shootings	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

FBI Newark: Honoring Black History Month

2010-02-13T17:45:00.003-05:00

On Friday, February 12, 2010—Abraham Lincoln's birthday—the New Jersey Field Office of the FBI hosted a Black History Month event titled The History of Black Economic Empowerment. It was held in the Barry Lee Bush Building, FBI headquarters in Newark.

As an invited guest of the FBI, I was impressed by the program which celebrated diversity, history and patriotism through music, presentations and community.

The keynote for the event was delivered by Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., the Chair of the Center for African American Studies and the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies at Princeton University. Dr. Glaude gave a motivational and insightful keynote which included the following:

There are too many communities of concentrated poverty with sobering statistics of unemployment in America
Michigan, Illinois, Alabama and Ohio have unemployment rates of grave concern
Dilapidated schools in poor communities across the nation are failing our children and failing the nation
Prison has become an industrialized complex that trades in bodies for profit
35% of black children are growing up in poverty
There is tragic abject misery in many communities in the most powerful nation that the world has ever seen
America is at a crossroads and we must respond with courage and creativity
The nation must be honest about its past to inform the future and this includes an honest understanding of the epidemic of lynching as documented in the website Without Sanctuary
Those who risked their lives to give us and preserve our liberties must be remembered
Our country currently has a budget deficit but it must not have a visionary deficit…the principles of our democracy must give us hope and be upheld…we must avoid conspicuous consumption and treat financial resources more respectfully…we must rise to the challenge and be renewed as a people
America must not have its precious ideals undermined by the lack of virtue in society…we must learn the lessons of the past and restore virtue back into society

The Newark office of the FBI is to be commended for their dedication to diversity and the unity of effort essential to transforming our communities. Particular recognition for the leadership of Assistant Special Agent (ASAC) in Charge Rhonda M. Glover, ASAC Aaron T. Ford, Special Agent (SA) Vernon I. Addison, SA George E. Graves Jr., SA James Webster, Administrative Officer Dorisse Shakir-Ullah as well as the entire Black Affairs Committee for the success of the event is worthy of appreciation.

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FBI Newark	Click here to visit site
Without Sanctuary	Click here to visit site
Appreciating Diversity: Reawakening the Heart of America	Click here to visit site
FBI Blogs	Click here to visit site

Northern Highlands Regional High School: Dedicated to Becoming a National Model of Character

2010-01-18T16:43:00.001-05:00

On Monday, January 18, 2010, Northern Highlands Regional High School held a professional development day for 150 of its faculty, administrators and staff members. The goal of the event was to serve as the launching pad for the school's dedication to becoming a National Model of Character.

Northern Highlands Regional High School serves the suburban towns of Allendale, Upper Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus and Saddle River. The school is located in Bergen County, New Jersey, just 20 miles from New York City.

As the keynote speaker for the venue, I was privileged to present a 90-minute program titled Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement. The presentation addressed contemporary concerns highlighting the crisis of character in American Society and encouraged the school in its commitment to character education.

Eleven Principles of Character Education

http://www.character.org/elevenprinciples

PRINCIPLE 1

Promotes core ethical values and supportive performance values as the foundation of good character.

PRINCIPLE 2

Defines "character" comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and behavior.

PRINCIPLE 3

Uses a comprehensive, intentional, and proactive approach to character development.

PRINCIPLE 4

Creates a caring school community.

PRINCIPLE 5

Provides students with opportunities for moral action.

PRINCIPLE 6

Includes a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners, develops their character, and helps them to succeed.

PRINCIPLE 7

Strives to foster students' self motivation.

PRINCIPLE 8

Engages the school staff as a learning and moral community that shares responsibility for character education and attempts to adhere to the same core values that guide the education of students.

PRINCIPLE 9

Fosters shared moral leadership and long range support of the character education initiative.

PRINCIPLE 10

Engages families and community members as partners in the character-building effort.

PRINCIPLE 11

Evaluates the character of the school, the school staff's functioning as character educators, and the extent to which students manifest good character.

Northern Highlands Regional High School, especially through the leadership of Principal Joseph J. Occhino, is to be commended for its dedication to becoming a National Model of Character. Our nation is in desperate need of a transformation to character and the commitment of our schools is essential to the welfare of the nation.

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Northern Highlands Regional High School	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Character Education Blogs	Click here to visit site

Remembering the Dream: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2010-01-13T00:00:00.002-05:00

As the nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 18th, a testament to his greatness is that nearly every major city in America has a street or school named after him.

After his death in Memphis on April 4, 1968, the words of Martin Luther King Jr. still hold captivating influence and inspiring gracefulness:

On Equality (Birmingham jail, 1963)
"Before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched across the pages of history the majestic words of the Declaration, we were here."

On Nonconformity (1963)
"The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority."

On Civil Rights (Selma to Montgomery, 1965)
"We are moving to the land of freedom. Let us march to the realization of the American dream."

On Peace (1964)
"Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood."

On the Dream of Freedom (1964)
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed...that all men are created equal."

On Freedom (1963)
"So let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania, let freedom ring. But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi..."

On the Future (April 3, 1968 – the night before his murder)
"I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight, I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Listen to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Serving

The Fall of Tiger Woods: A Time for Reflection

2010-01-04T06:00:00.006-05:00

As the dust settles on the Tiger Woods scandal, we would do well to reflect on the issues that it raises. Not for the titillating details but for the lessons we might learn about human nature.

Unlike any athlete in history, the world is reacting to the scandal surrounding Tiger Woods. Much of this reaction goes beyond the curious and appears to be festered by cruelty, condemnation and self-righteousness.

As a response to this feeding frenzy at the emotional expense inflamed by the failures of a celebrity, there must be reflection from another perspective which allows character to be its foundation. But first, a brief look at the unprecedented athletic accomplishments of Tiger Woods.

Woods has won 93 tournaments; 71 on the PGA tour including five Masters, four PGA Championships and three U.S. Open Championships. In 2001, he became the first player ever to hold all four professional major championships at one time. Aside from these victories, he is referred to as the world’s first billion dollar athlete for his earnings on and off the course.

Even after his recent personal scandal, he was the runaway winner of the male Golfer of the Year in the December Golf Writers of America Awards. Woods was also selected on December 16, 2009 as the Athlete of the Decade by members of the Associated Press. But his recent earthquake of scandal has struck the legacy of Tiger Woods to its core. Fascination with his fall from grace has been international and despite this hysteria, reasonable minds must pause for reflection and consider the following:

Money and fame are fleeting and can never assure happiness
The family is sacrosanct and must be the focus of time, talent and trust.
It is very easy to have fair weather friends but when we are down the intentions of others quickly surfaces
Never judge a book by its cover…look beyond the externals which can be a cloak of superficiality and try to understand what is hidden in the heart and soul of others
A life of character must be deeply rooted on solid ground…if it is built on sand it will certainly crumble in time
Each and every person will always reap what they sow and there are always consequences for every action, even those which are believed to be done in private
Sooner rather than later, acts committed in the darkness will be shouted from the rooftops
A reputation can take a lifetime to build but it can be destroyed in the blink of an eye
When others fail, compassion and counsel, rather than cruelty and condemnation must be the order of the day
Failures are an opportunity for contrition, forgiveness, justice, growth and transformation
Never kick someone when they are down but always help others to rise up
Never rash judge another since we have not walked in their shoes

If one is without fault, only then do they have the right to cast the first stone

As the tragic headlines of the fall of Tiger Woods continue to unravel the details of his scandal, the qualities of understanding, wisdom, counsel and fortitude deserve cultivation and reflection.

American Schools Drop Out Factories: Cultivating Character, Achievement and Security

2009-12-29T18:15:00.001-05:00

On a recent edition of Meet the Press, the Secretary of Education referred to American Schools as drop out factories since over 1.2 million students drop out each year, including a 50% drop-out rate in Washington, DC schools. The convergence of an economic crisis along with an education and academic crisis has lead to a call for the Department of Education to be an engine of innovation.

Also highlighted was the need for teachers to be held accountable through student achievement results and the need for a breakthrough in education.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

As an educator who has been privileged to be in various roles since 1976, it is my opinion that a culture of academic achievement must have the pillars of character education and a preventive system of education as its foundation. The national academic crisis is compounded by a crisis of character, indicated by continuous scandals through every element of society and a culture of violence, expressed through coast to coast headlines of unconscionable crimes. America must get back on track through its schools and character education and the preventive system of education must fuel the engine of transformation.

Academic achievement, character education and educators who inspire and motivate must have schools that are protected from disruptions to the educational process. The U.S. Department of Education's latest study, Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2009, presents sobering insights of crime in American schools including violent deaths, victimization, bullying, fear and avoidance, fights, weapons and illegal substances. This study should be required reading for those dedicated to school safety and security. More importantly, it should remind us that our schools must be safe havens where academic excellence, character development and motivating teachers flourish.

Character education is critical since it allows a person, family, classroom, school, district and the nation itself to have its moral compass aligned. The preventive system cultivates altruism at its core and educators are inspired to motivate their students by teaching from a heart that expresses kindness, reasonableness and character.

Happy & Safe Holidays to All

2009-12-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this season of miracles, light and life, let us remember to appreciate the blessings that we have and share what we can with those in need. Let us remember also, those in the military who will not be with their families.

And so to all my readers, I would like to extend my sincerest wish for a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

Click on the following logos to visit these websites that provide tips to help you stay safe for the holidays:

In Remembrance: Lakewood Police Officers Sgt. Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owen, Officer Tina Griswold, Officer Greg Richards

2009-12-09T18:51:00.002-05:00

The tragic news of police officers killed in the line of duty has made national news again. It is becoming all too common and represents the culture of violence impacting not only our communities, corporations, schools and even a military base (Fort Hood) but on those who have risen to the occasion to serve and protect us as law enforcement officials.

On November 29, 2009, four officers from the 100-member police department of Lakewood, Washington were killed by a deadly ambush in a coffee shop, about 35 miles south of Seattle. Those who lost their lives were Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39; Officer Ronald Owen, 37; Officer Tina Griswold, 40; and Officer Greg Richards, 42.

Published reports stated that the gunman entered a coffee house and appeared to be preparing to place an order at the counter. Understood to be a targeted ambush, he then turned and opened fire on the officers as they innocently and unexpectedly worked on their laptops.

In a written statement, the governor of Washington expressed the sentiments that rang true to law abiding citizens throughout the country:

"Our police put their lives on the line every day, and tragedies like this remind us of the risks they continually take to keep our communities safe. My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of these officers, as well as the entire law enforcement community."

The memorial honoring the ultimate sacrifice of these officers took place on December 8, 2009 through the presence of 20,000 police officers and members of communities from throughout North America. Canada paid their respects by sending 1,000 Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

A procession followed the flag-draped caskets for the three-hour service which included 2,000 cars, understood to be the largest in Washington State history. The customary ceremonial honor guard for law enforcement venues opened the ceremony with thousands of officers throughout the arena standing at attention. They offered their salute as the officer's families and Lakewood Police Department were led to their seats.

These heroes remind us of the dangers the law enforcement community faces each day as they protect our nation. We must be ever mindful of their sacrifices and always appreciate, honor and respect the service they render us.

READ MORE

Lakewood Police Department	Click here to visit site
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund	Click here to visit site

Lifeboats for Virginia Tech President and Officials First; Students Left to Fend for Themselves during America’s School Violence Titanic

2009-12-04T23:02:00.003-05:00

According to published reports throughout the nation today, some Virginia Tech officials warned their families first of the killings on April 16, 2007 and President Charles W. Steger's office was locked down well before the campus-wide alert.

These reports, as gleaned from a newly released addendum to the Virginia Tech Panel Report, also state that a student survived several hours after being shot without anyone notifying her family. The student, Emily Hilscher, subsequently died without Virginia Tech following the most basic crisis management and human empathy principles of notifying her parents about her injuries or whereabouts until she passed. These are indicative of egregious negligence, incompetent leadership and a grave insult to Emily, her family, the Virginia Tech community, the people of Virginia and the nation.

Essentially, the lifeboats were seized by the President and other university officials, who placed their own personal safety and that of their relatives above the students and staff entrusted to their care. An administrative building and office were locked down in advance and the word was communicated selectively to families of officials before alerting the student body through a vague and untimely message of the danger.

Virginia Tech officials failed to follow the basic standard of crisis management as outlined in the May 2003 document published by the U. S. Department of Education titled Practical Information on Crisis Management: A Guide for Schools and Communities. The officials failed to "Respond within seconds, Evacuate or lock down the school as appropriate, Communicate accurate and appropriate information and keep students, families, and the media informed".

Yet, it seems even more deficiencies of the leadership will be revealed as we approach the December 14, 2009 oral arguments with demands being made by the Petersen and Pryde families through their lawsuit for full disclosure, accountability and consequences.

READ MORE

Va. Tech Report: Staff warned their families first	Click here to visit site
'Inexcusable' actions in Va. Tech killings report	Click here to visit site
Mass Shootings at Virginia Tech Addendum to the Report of the Review Panel	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools – August 1998	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide – April 2000	Click here to visit site
Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and Creating Safe School Climates	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES – May 2002	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES – May 2003	Click here to visit site
Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy – June 2007	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

Bergenfield High School Marching Band: Inspiring Others through Music and Character

2009-11-02T01:03:00.006-05:00

ALL Bergenfield High School Band Members should exhibit the following characteristics:

Fulfill all commitments completely and to the best of his/her ability.
Serve as a positive peer role model.
Maintain an enthusiastic, positive attitude towards all functions.
Understand that positive modeling and enthusiasm carries though the entire year, in Marching Band, concert bands; in orchestra and choir; and in each individual's daily contact with the entire school and community.
Learn to deal with peers in an effective, positive, and consistent manner.
Assist all officers and peers in their efforts whenever possible.
Understand that ALL band members are exemplars of the organization

Bergenfield High School Marching Band
2009-2010
Membership Responsibilities

On Saturday, October 31, 2009 I attended the Bergenfield High School home football game and was greatly impressed by the talent, discipline and character of the Bergenfield High School Marching Band under the leadership of Director Brian P. Timmons.

In the stands and on the field, the band is truly outstanding and their music is filled with energy, enthusiasm and excitement. This is complimented by their impressive red uniforms, accented by striking silver buttons and surrounded by the movement of their flags in perfect choreography with their instruments, marching and musical precision.

BHS Marching Band (9:21)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVHqaT8AFEE">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

After the game I addressed over 175 band and staff members, sharing a few words on the power of music and character. I commended their inspiring display of talent and encouraged them to offer each other a well deserved applause, reminding them that they are the generation of hope who can change the world starting right here at Bergenfield High School.

These students deserve the highest praise for their hard work. They represent the best in each of us for their dedication to school and community and are a reminder of all that is good in our nation. Let us recognize, affirm and appreciate them for their service, commitment and enthusiasm.

READ MORE

Bergenfield High School Marching Band Website

Click here to visit site

New Jersey Education Association: Demonstrating School Emergency Preparedness Leadership

2009-10-25T19:59:00.008-04:00

The inaugural New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) School Emergency Preparedness Conference was held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey, thanks to the hard work of the NJEA School Emergency Task Force under the leadership of its Chairperson Joseph Coppola.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Coppola expressed the importance of emergency preparedness because it has a direct impact on the health, safety and welfare of schools and communities. Barbara Keshishian, President of the NJEA, congratulated the task force and expressed enthusiasm for future emergency preparedness initiatives. Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, whose leadership has been instrumental in numerous school safety initiatives, also addressed the attendees and affirmed the importance of their roles in safeguarding students.

As the keynote speaker for the event, I was privileged to present a 2½ hour program titled Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security to educators, educational support professionals and law enforcement officials from throughout the state.

A portion of the program was developed in response to a directive of the State of New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner as stated in an October 22, 2007 memo:

"Each school district, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.1, must develop and implement plans, procedures and mechanisms that provide for the safety and security of the district’s schools. The plans must be developed in consultation with law enforcement agencies and be consistent with the format and content established by the Commissioner of Education. Additionally, an annual review and update, as appropriate, are required. Therefore, within 45 days of this memorandum, each district is required to use these procedures as a model to revise, as needed, its existing procedures."

The dedication and commitment of the participants was evident from their enthusiastic interaction throughout the day. Attendees addressed their concerns on emergency preparedness issues and the need for developing an ongoing school safety training curriculum. Each attendee received a copy of my newest book; Listen To Their Cries: Calling the Nation to Renewal from Columbine to Virginia Tech, as sponsored by the NJEA.

The NJEA is to be commended for proactive approach to school emergency preparedness and encouraged to collaborate with schools, law enforcement agencies, government and educational associations on follow up safe school initiatives and compliance issues.

READ MORE

New Jersey Education Association	Click here to visit site
NJDOE—Keeping Kids Safe, Safe Schools Policy and Guidance	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES	Click here to visit site
USDOE—Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center	Click here to visit site
THREAT ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOLS: A GUIDE TO MANAGING THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO CREATING SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES	Click here to visit site

October 2009 Initiatives: Character, Achievement, Crisis Planning

2009-10-22T06:00:00.004-04:00

Bergen Community College Faculty Association
Transforming a Campus: Leadership, Vigilance, Collaboration
October 14, 2009

The Bergen Community College Faculty Association, in partnership with the New Jersey Education Association held a workshop dinner for 300 faculty and staff of the college on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

As the keynote speaker for the event, I presented Transforming a Campus: Leadership, Vigilance, Collaboration. The presentation highlighted an honest review of contemporary concerns of violence and crisis situations at American campuses. It also emphasized the importance of sound crisis preparedness and threat assessment principles.

The U.S. Department of Education document titled Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities as well as the U.S. Secret Service document Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates were punctuated throughout the presentation.

An honest overview of the Virginia Tech Tragedy was also made since it represents unique insights on crisis management and threat assessment deficiencies.

Morris County Council of Education Associations
Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement
October 15, 2009

On Thursday, October 15, 2009, the Morris County Council of Education Associations held a dinner workshop at Zeris Inn in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. As the invited speaker for the event, I presented a program titled: Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement.

The program included interaction from educators from schools throughout Morris County and highlighted practical programs that have contributed to a culture of character and achievement in their schools and districts.

National Conference on Ethics in America at West Point
Senior Leader
October 21, 2009

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009 I had the privilege to return for my third consecutive year to the National Conference on Ethics in America at the United States Military Academy to serve as a Senior Leader. The theme for this year's conference was Sharing with Integrity.

The goal of the conference for college delegates from throughout the nation is threefold:

FOSTER a national conscience and awareness of ethical behavior in the undergraduate community.
ENHANCE collegiate code of ethics and honor systems through the diversity of experiences and value systems of students from colleges and universities.
ENDOW students with opportunities to discuss issues of character and integrity with athletes, business and government officials and leaders of character across varying fields of enterprise in order to take-away invaluable lessons and experiences.

Bergen County Education Association
Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement
October 21, 2009

In the evening, I traveled to Teaneck, New Jersey to deliver a keynote titled Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement to over 200 educators of the Bergen County Education Association. This event was a follow up to my previous keynote for their association titled Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security.

Soccer Match at Giants Stadium to Honor Detective DiNardo and Benefit Scholarship Fund

2009-09-04T23:49:00.006-04:00

A Part Of America Died

Somebody killed a policeman today
And a part of America died...
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he had gone off to war;
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half-mast
To his name they will add a gold star.
The suspect that shot him will stand up in court
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend many long, lonely nights.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today...
Maybe in your town or mine,
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks the beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side;
He answered the call... of himself gave his all,
And a part of America died...
--Author Unknown--

On Friday September 18, 2009, police, fire, and corrections officers as well as citizens from throughout Hudson County will gather at Giants Stadium for an event to honor fallen police officer Detective Marc DiNardo and to raise money for a scholarship fund for his three young children: Gwendolyn, age 4; Marc Anthony II, age 3; and one-year-old Ella.

This initiative represents the true spirit of community: compassion through action. It is America at its best—collaboration which transforms tragedy into concern for one's neighbor.

Reprinted from www.nj.com
Soccer Match will benefit DiNardo family
by Melinda Vickerman
September 3, 2009

www.nj.com

For the past four weekends, they've come out and practiced under the hot morning sun and the summer evening's fading light. On soccer fields from Jersey City to Hoboken, they've play hard and to win, preparing for the day when they'll meet on the pitch at Giants Stadium. They've taken their days off and pounded the pavement, selling tickets, seeking sponsors and spreading the word about a fallen Hudson County hero.

On Sept. 18, more than 100 soccer players representing eight teams comprised of Hudson County law enforcement, fire departments and corrections units will gather to play four simultaneous soccer matches on the Giants Stadium field to help bolster the PBA scholarship fund for the three children of Jersey City Police Detective Marc DiNardo, who died from his wounds after a shooting that also injured four other officers in July.

It was shortly after DiNardo's funeral that my husband, Alex, head coach of the Soccer Learning Center in Jersey City, came up with the idea for the DiNardo Family Cup. Alex was just 10 when his father died after a long battle with cancer and he remembers watching his mother struggle to raise seven children on her own.

"My mother worked day and night to take care of us," he said, thinking now of DiNardo's widow and their three young children. "I know how difficult it will be for Mary DiNardo and I wanted to help in some way."

Word of the event spread quickly and soon Alex had commitments from the Jersey City and Hoboken Fire and Police Departments. The Hudson County Sheriff's Department, Hudson County Corrections, the Port Authority Police, New Jersey State Troopers and the Kearny Fire and Police Departments would play, too.

I would like to offer a special thank you to all those who are involved in organizing or participating in this event.

READ MORE

In Remembrance: Detective Marc DiNardo, Jersey City Police Department	Click here to visit site
DiNardo Family Cup	Click here to visit site

Seung-Hui Cho's Medical Records Released; Virginia Tech Families Continue Quest for Truth and Accountability

2009-08-24T09:05:00.005-04:00

The recently released mental health records of Virginia Tech killer Seung-Hui Cho reveal that the Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center had numerous opportunities to deal with Cho's mental instability and apparently dropped the ball, according to a lawyer for the families' of Julia Pryde and Erin Peterson, students killed in the April 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy.

In an August 21, 2009 article by Richmond Times-Dispatch Reporter David Ress, the families' lawyer says the records challenge the university's claim that Cho was dealt with properly.

Excerpt reprinted from timesdispatch.com

Families say files contradict Va. Tech

August 21, 2009

BY DAVID RESS, TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

…

"The records are remarkable for what they don't contain," the families' Reston-based lawyer, Robert T. Hall, said.

Tech released two sets of medical records Wednesday — one from the university's Cook Counseling Center, the other discovered last month in the home of the center's former director.

Cho shot and killed 32 students and professors on April 16, 2007, before killing himself.

About seven months before that, the counseling center advised Associate Dean Mary Ann Lewis that staff members could find no mental-health history on Cho, according to legal papers filed in Blacksburg by the families yesterday. Lewis asked the counseling center about Cho's history in September 2006, after a professor asked Lewis for help in dealing with the troubled student.

The legal papers formally ask Robert C. Miller, the former director of the counseling center, to admit:

That Tech's director of residence life, Gerald Kowalski, told Miller that a judge found Cho to be an imminent danger to himself or others on Dec. 14, 2005, and that Cho had kept knives in his dorm room and had a history of erratic behavior.
That a counselor spent only 30 minutes with Cho after the judge's finding, which included a court order that Cho get mental-health care. That order and her session with Cho were on Dec. 14, 2005.
That the counselor did not try to make any diagnosis of Cho or arrange for any follow-up care.
That counseling center staff rated Cho as "troubled" and needing follow-up within two weeks after he called the center on Nov. 30, 2005, to say he was depressed and having panic attacks.
That Miller was aware of an incident earlier in 2005 that led Tech professor Nikki Giovanni to demand he be removed from her class.

Hall said the families of Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde, two of Cho's victims, believe those were among the facts that Miller should have known. The families are claiming that Miller, along with several other university officials and the university itself, were negligent in monitoring and treating Cho.

Hall said the families are disputing an assertion by Tech that the counseling center acted appropriately and offered to provide treatment to him.

Miller's lawyer, Edward J. McNelis III, said Miller has sworn under oath that he inadvertently removed the Cho file and added that the families' request for admissions from Miller are not facts but only contentions about what Miller knew. He said Miller is confident that the allegations against him by the families will be proven false in court.

…

According to the released records, Virginia Tech's Cook Counseling Center was made aware of Seung-Hui Cho's problems as early as November 30, 2005, nearly a year and a half before the April 16, 2007 tragedy where he took the life of 32 students and teachers as well as his own. The failure to recognize the warning signs of Cho's seriously troubled mental state must be fully investigated as the quest for truth and accountability continues.

READ MORE

Families say files contradict Va. Tech	Click here to visit site
Tech Gunman's Records Reveal Lack of Treatment	Click here to visit site
Attorneys: Medical Records Show gaps in Tech's monitoring of Cho	Click here to visit site
Cook director in possession of Cho's records was fired	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

Essex County College Police Academy Graduation: Reawakening the Heart of America

2009-08-15T01:00:00.001-04:00

Thursday, August 13, 2009 was a night of honor, pride, and celebration in Cedar Grove, New Jersey as the Essex County College Police Academy graduated 21 new Police Officers. These graduates will serve agencies including the Essex County Sheriff's Office, Glen Ridge Police Department, New Jersey Transit Police Department and West Orange Police Department.

Essex County leaders in attendance included A. Zachary Yamba, President of Essex County College, Vernell Patrick, Executive Vice President & Provost of Essex County College, Rocco L. Miscia Jr., Director of the Essex County College Police Academy and Wayne J. Morrison, Associate Director of the Essex County College Police Academy.

As the keynote speaker I reminded the graduates that they have the power to Reawaken the Heart of America—they represent hope for their agencies, communities and the nation in response to a head-on collision of corruption and violence in society today.

Keynote Excerpts
Reawakening the Heart of America

This is a night of achievement, hope and excitement for our police academy graduates.

This celebration is larger than personal accomplishment… each of these graduates stands for something larger than themselves…they are a sign, symbol and reality for their families, friends, communities, county and country.

Tonight, we are reminded that we are at pivotal crossroads of American history… we are reminded of the dignity of the law enforcement profession, of the call to integrity of all who serve in public office and of the importance of each member of our communities…

A Reawakening of the Heart of America begins tonight as together we proclaim:

We the People will reawaken the heart of America by serving our communities and holding the virtue of justice as our banner.
We the People will reawaken the heart of America by honoring diversity and treating each person with dignity.
We the People will reawaken the heart of America by lighting a fire of character within our souls and realigning our nation's moral compass.
We the People will reawaken the heart of America through hearts of compassion, especially toward those who are marginalized, abandoned and without hope.
We the People will reawaken the heart of America by committing ourselves to moral courage that inspires the right choices.
We the People will reawaken the heart of America by honoring those who are serve in the military and all who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this nation.

A moving moment of the ceremony took place during its conclusion when, in unison before hundreds of inspired witnesses, the graduates proudly proclaimed the Law Enforcement Officers Code:

I am an American Law Enforcement Officer – a protector of the greatest Nation on earth, sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
I will treat others with dignity and respect, and expect others to do the same.
I will honor my Country, my department, and my fellow law enforcement officers, by living the Essex County College Police Academy values.
No matter what situation I am in, I will never do anything for pleasure, profit or personal safety, which will disgrace my uniform, my department, or my country.
Lastly, I am proud of my Country and its flag. I want to look back and say that I am proud to have served my Country, as a law enforcement officer.

Congratulations to the graduates of the Essex County College Police Academy Basic Police Officer's Class 09-1 for their achievement as they are sent forth to represent the highest ideals of being an American.

GRADUATE	DEPARTMENT
Bell, Rakem	West Orange PO
Brienza, Gia	Alternate Route
Cromartie, Nathaniel	EC Sheriff's Office
DeRosa, Christopher	West Orange PO
Haase, Jason	EC Sheriff's Office
Kral, Jeffrey	Alternate Route
Manley, Daniel	Glen Ridge PO
Marone, John	West Orange PO
Martinez, Jorge	Alternate Route
Marzullo, Gerardo	EC Sheriff's Office
Megaro, Christian	EC Sheriff's Office
Novak, Charles	NJ Transit PO
O'Toole, Robert	West Orange PO
Paye, Neumen	West Orange PO
Ruane, Robert	EC Sheriff's Office
Ryals, Ozie	EC Sheriff's Office
Salogiannis, Dimitrios	Alternate Route
Shutz, Keri	Alternate Route
Tripodi, Patrick	EC Sheriff's Office
Wachterhauser, Scott	NJ Transit PO
Zavistoski, Brian	Alternate Route

Massive New Jersey Corruption Bust: A Crisis of Character

2009-08-07T00:30:00.000-04:00

For many years I have addressed the issue of a crisis of character in articles, blogs, and presentations, as well as in my newest book Listen To Their Cries. But on Thursday, July 23, 2009 the pervasiveness of moral decay exuded a suffocating stench in the state of New Jersey for all law abiding citizens struggling to make ends meet during this economic crisis.

At a press conference in Newark on the day of the arrests, Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun said, "We hope that our actions today will be the clarion call that prompts significant change in the way business and politics are conducted in the state of New Jersey. Those who engage in this culture of corruption should know the cross hairs of justice will continue to be focused on them."

According to a Department of Justice Press Release posted on the Federal Bureau of Investigation Newark website, the arrests were based on a two track investigation of political corruption and International Money Laundering Rings which led to the arrest of 44 individuals. Tragically, these individuals are in positions of trust demanding the highest levels of dedication to their communities such as mayors, assemblymen, political operatives and even rabbis. These individuals violated their oaths of public office and desecrated the very faith they profess.

Reprinted from the FBI Newark Website
Department of Justice Press Release
July 23, 2009

http://newark.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2009/nk072309.htm

Among those charged in criminal Complaints are:

Peter Cammarano III, the newly elected mayor of Hoboken and an attorney, charged with accepting $25,000 in cash bribes, including $10,000 last Thursday, from an undercover cooperating witness.
L. Harvey Smith, a New Jersey Assemblyman and recent mayoral candidate in Jersey City, charged along with an aide of taking $15,000 in bribes to help get approvals from high-level state agency officials for building projects.
Daniel Van Pelt, a New Jersey Assemblyman, charged with accepting a $10,000 bribe.
Dennis Elwell, mayor of Secaucus, charged with taking a $10,000 cash bribe.
Anthony Suarez, mayor of Ridgefield and an attorney, charged with agreeing to accept a $10,000 corrupt cash payment for his legal defense fund.
Louis Manzo, the recent unsuccessful challenger in the Jersey City mayoral election and former state Assemblyman, and his brother and political advisor Robert Manzo, both with taking $27,500 in corrupt cash payments for use in Louis Manzo’s campaign.
Leona Beldini, the Jersey City deputy mayor and a campaign treasurer, charged with taking $20,000 in conduit campaign contributions and other self-dealing in her official capacity.
Eliahu Ben Haim, of Long Branch, N.J., the principal rabbi of a synagogue in Deal, N.J., charged with money laundering of proceeds derived from criminal activity.
Saul Kassin, of Brooklyn, N.Y., the chief rabbi of a synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, charged with money laundering of proceeds derived from criminal activity.
Edmund Nahum, of Deal, N.J., the principal rabbi of a synagogue in Deal, charged with money laundering of proceeds derived from criminal activity.
Mordchai Fish, of Brooklyn, N.Y., a rabbi at a synagogue in Brooklyn, charged with money laundering of proceeds derived from criminal activity. His brother, also a rabbi, was charged as well.

Most of the defendants were arrested early this morning by a large contingent of federal agents, led by Special Agents of the FBI Newark Division and IRS Criminal Investigation Division (See addendum of defendants, charges and arrest status). Court-authorized search warrants were also being executed approximately 20 locations in New Jersey and New York, to recover, among other things, large sums of cash and other evidence of criminal conduct. Additionally, 28 seizure warrants were being executed against bank accounts in the names of the money laundering defendants and entities they control.

One criminal Complaint charges a Brooklyn man, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum, with conspiring to broker the sale of a human kidney for a transplant, at a cost of $160,000 to the transplant recipient. According to the Complaint, Rosenbaum said he had been brokering the sale of kidneys for 10 years.

Perhaps my response to these latest headlines of shameful corruption is best expressed through the words of an article of mine entitled America's Resolve in a New Era of Leadership published in 2006:

Moral outrage in a calm, demanding and persevering manner must be the order of the day and America must respond with a new resolution to leadership; highlighted by character, to expedite transformation from a culture of corruption to the ideals of service and dedication to community. America need only reflect retrospectively on the leadership and events of its noble past to be reignited with the call of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, "this generation has a rendezvous with destiny."
Abraham Lincoln is admired as a leader with masterful communication and persuasion skills. Lincoln developed these skills by keenly understanding the philosopher Aristotle's Treatise on Rhetoric which explains a leader's ability to persuade as: "Persuasion is only achieved by means of a moral character that renders the speaker worthy of confidence. Credibility is the most powerful means of persuasion."
If only the character of Abraham Lincoln were truly taken to heart by those in authority, life would ultimately be transformed within American society. Messages are more often heard and followed when the communicator is understood to be honest, sincere and truly concerned about others.

READ MORE

USDOJ 23-JUL-2009 Press Release	Click here to visit site
America's Resolve in a New Era of Leadership	Click here to visit site

National Night Out: Police and Community Partnerships

2009-08-05T07:50:00.007-04:00

On Tuesday, August 4, 2009, communities throughout America gathered to celebrate National Night Out a police & community partnership initiative. At the request of the Livingston, New Jersey Police Department, I was invited to share remarks during the opening ceremony with Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dowd, Police Chief Craig Handschuch, Township Manager Michele Meade, Mayor Charles August and Police Officer Gary Mankowitz. Officer Mankowitz coordinated this first National Night Out for Livingston with true professionalism.

As a crime prevention specialist, I have been privileged to participate in and encourage involvement with National Night Out celebrations for the last 15 years. I first experienced this event at the invitation of Patrick Fay, retired Lt. from the Hackensack Police Department in New Jersey. For many years while managing a private security company, I would send a team of employees to meet the Hackensack Community and to fingerprint children so their parents could have these records as a safety measure.

Last night's event—held at the spacious fields of Livingston High School—was remarkably successful and attended by thousands of Livingston residents as well as people from throughout Essex County and New Jersey. These included families, law enforcement agencies, first responders and the generous businesses who donated time, foods, refreshments and prizes for hundreds of children.

Reprinted from the National Night Out website

http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno/about.html

National Night Out is America's Night Out Against Crime designed to:

Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and

Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The Livingston Police department, especially Chief Handschuch, Officer Mankowitz and the entire community policing unit is to be commended for their first National Night Out which enhanced police–community partnerships and gave Livingston families a night to remember.

Virginia Tech Family Members Urge Governor Kaine to Reconvene Panel

2009-07-29T21:37:00.010-04:00

"While we appreciate the hard work of the Virginia Tech Review Panel, the report issued by the Panel contains grave errors, misinformation, and glaring omissions.

"We believe the panel needs to be reconvened, due to several factors: The time constraint the Panel worked under; the information withheld from the Panel; the erroneous information given to the panel; the information newly discovered by family members; the recent 'discovery' of the missing files; and the panel's failure to interview Dr. Miller."
— Press Release from Virginia Tech Family Members

The tragedy at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007 claimed the lives of 32 people and wounded many others. It was an act of unprecedented violence and brought unimaginable heartbreak into the lives of the victims' families.

After the tragedy, the governor appointed the Virginia Tech Review Panel to review the incident. Family members had petitioned the governor to have representation on the panel but were denied.

Now, more than two years after the tragedy, the 'missing' medical records of the killer were recently located in the home of Dr. Robert Miller, former director of Virginia Tech's Cook Counseling Center. The governor's panel, which included the former Secretary of Homeland Security and former Superintendent of Virginia State Police, failed to interview Miller. Compounding the travesty, Virginia Tech administration received the records on a Thursday but delayed informing the State Police and the governor until the following Monday. It is reprehensible that despite the criticism against Virginia Tech administration for failing to use sound judgment after the first two killings, they once again failed to "respond within seconds" which is a foundation of crisis management as recommended by the U.S. Department of Education.

Because of the many inconsistencies, inaccuracies and omissions in the panel report as well as these new developments, the Virginia Tech Family Members are urging the Governor to reconvene the Virginia Tech Panel.

FROM VIRGINIA TECH FAMILY MEMBERS

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

BASED ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN INVESTIGATION,
FAMILY MEMBERS OF VIRGINIA TECH SHOOTING VICTIMS
& THE SURVIVORS URGE GOVERNOR TO
RECONVENE THE VIRGINIA TECH PANEL

Richmond, VA – The following statement was released this morning from family members of shooting victims from the tragedy at Virginia Tech University on April 16, 2007:

"On April 16, 2007 on the campus of Virginia Tech our loved ones were killed and injured in a shooting rampage by a fellow student. We still suffer emotional pain dealing with the impenetrable layers of bureaucracy in our simple quest for answers. An accurate, complete and thorough accounting of what happened before, during and after April 16th, 2007 is the legacy we seek on behalf of those who died and those who survived.

"As family members of the deceased and the survivors, we must make our concerns known about the recent disclosure that the medical records of Seung Hui Cho have been found in the home of the former director of Cook Counseling Center, Dr. Robert C. Miller.

"We cannot comprehend that Dr. Miller, knowing the intensity of the search for these records, did not recall taking files home with him in 2006 when he left the Cook Counseling Center. If Dr. Miller inadvertently removed the files as he claims, we find it telling that it took legal action to force him to produce the records. We also wonder if state police questioned him in April 2007, or only Virginia Tech officials. As announced by the Governor, the state police are investigating how and when someone (presumably Miller) removed the records from Cook Counseling Center. In October 2008, during the first and only formal police briefing we received, we requested that state police again look into the case of the missing files. The state police still have not told us what action (if any) they took on our request.

"The families have learned or discovered much in the past twenty-eight months – from police briefings in October 2008; through investigative reporting of the media; by our own review of the archives; at the meeting with the Virginia Tech administration; and not least via many family members' own dogged search for the truth. All of this information should have been available to the Virginia Tech Review Panel at the time of their investigation.

"While we appreciate the hard work of the Virginia Tech Review Panel, the report issued by the Panel contains grave errors, misinformation, and glaring omissions.

"We believe the panel needs to be reconvened, due to several factors: The time constraint the Panel worked under; the information withheld from the Panel; the erroneous information given to the panel; the information newly discovered by family members; the recent "discovery" of the missing files; and the panel's failure to interview Dr. Miller.

"For us, the Panel’s report serves two purposes: Acting as the official account of what happened before, during and after the largest school shooting in the history of the United States; and serving as a guideline for America's higher education institutions in planning, implementing & responding to a variety of health, safety & security concerns. We feel an incomplete and inaccurate report does not respect our loved ones, or us, and is potentially harmful to the public. We respectfully ask that Governor Kaine re-convene the panel. We consider the panel's report extremely valuable, and we cannot accept that the Commonwealth allows it to stand with errors of any kind.

"With that in mind, we ask any person with pertinent information or material facts to come forward to provide the panel the means to complete a thorough investigation. We also ask, as written in Governor Kaine's original Executive Order #53, that the panel 'offer the families of the deceased (and injured) the opportunity to provide input to the Panel publicly or privately and to offer those families who so desire an opportunity to be apprised periodically of the Panel's progress.'"

###

The Governor of Virginia would do well to listen to these cries of the Virginia Tech families. If it is determined that a competent investigation cannot be conducted under the auspices of the Governor of Virginia, perhaps, as suggested in a May 31, 2009 article by VT professor Lucinda Roy, "an independent investigative panel, chaired by someone unaffiliated with the school or with the state, would be appointed by the U.S. Department of Education." In any case, the quest to honor the memories of their loved ones and to serve other college students and families throughout the nation must continue. The truth must be served.

READ MORE

Learning More From the Tragedy at Virginia Tech	Click here to visit site
Tech Massacre: More Questions	Click here to visit site
Families ask state to reopen Virginia Tech shooting investigation	Click here to visit site
Alerts not enough, Tech could be safer	Click here to visit site
Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

In Remembrance: Detective Marc DiNardo, Jersey City Police Department

2009-07-24T20:35:00.004-04:00

Detective Marc DiNardo, who died on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 after being shot in a gun battle on July 16th, was honored at his funeral by family and thousands of his fellow officers, fire & EMT personnel, community leaders and concerned citizens. He leaves behind a wife and three children. Det. DiNardo, 37, had served the people of Jersey City for 10 years as a member of the Jersey City Police Department.

The tragic death of Det. DiNardo sadly reminds us of the potential dangers faced each day by those in law enforcement who serve, protect and defend us. America must always remember and be grateful for those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and for those who continue to serve at the risk of their own safety.

Officer Melissa Bartholomew, a friend and police academy classmate of DiNardo offered heartfelt sentiments on behalf of the Jersey City Police Department and the family of Officer DiNardo: "He will be greatly missed. He had a personality you could never forget, and when he walked into a room we all loved him."

In Memoriam (2:40)

Funeral Procession (7:31)

Tribute (3:50)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUjiH3QC_Z4">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

Please remember Det. DiNardo, his family, friends, fellow officers in the Jersey City Police Department and all emergency service personnel in your prayers as they seek consolation during this difficult time.

READ MORE

Officer Down Memorial Page

Click here to visit site

Found Mental Health Records Confirm Virginia Tech Crisis of Leadership

2009-07-23T21:00:00.014-04:00

Two years after the murders of 32 people at Virginia Tech (VT), the missing mental health records of the killer have been found. Families of the tragedy had been informed by Virginia Tech that these documents were lost.

The finding of the files resulted from the discovery process of a civil suit against VT and the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Pryde and Petersen families who lost loved ones during the April 16, 2007 shootings. The records were found in the home of former Cook Counseling Center Director Robert C. Miller who is a defendant in the civil suit. The governor’s panel report did not have access to this file and accordingly this critical information was missing from their report. The panel did not interview Miller.

As detailed in the book Listen To Their Cries and the report entitled Crisis of Leadership: A Response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report, this new information punctuates the deficiency of leadership surrounding the tragedy:

Listen To Their Cries, August 2008
Available at Amazon.com

"An honest and straightforward record of the events of April 16th must be provided to the Virginia Tech community and the nation. Since reason dictates that there were deficiencies in the actions on that day, those responsible must be held accountable—up to the highest levels of the university. Do we not owe it to those who lost their lives, those who were injured and all those affected by this tragedy?" Page 84

Crisis of Leadership:
A Response To The Virginia Tech Panel Report, October 2007
Click here to view

"…the purpose of this document is to draw attention to the deficiencies of crisis management on that fateful day in April 2007 and continue the call for the accountability of those responsible for the safety of students, faculty and staff at Virginia Tech. This text will focus on the insufficiency of leadership and lack of judgment in order that the truth is served." Page 5

Listen To Their Cries and Crisis of Leadership: A Response To The Virginia Tech Panel Report have been used with school districts, educational venues, the National Conference on Ethics in America at the United States Military Academy and law enforcement personnel so that the tragedy of Virginia Tech is served with truth, accountability and consequences.

READ MORE

Va Shooter's Mental Health Files Turn Up	Click here to visit site
Editorial: In Cook debacle: explanations owed	Click here to visit site
Cover Up claims over Virginia Tech gunmen's 'missing' records	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

5 Police Officers Shot in Jersey City: Follows Killings of Police in Philadelphia and Oakland

2009-07-17T17:45:00.004-04:00

Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of working with many outstanding members of the Jersey City Police Department and Port Authority Police on numerous security, community policing and leadership initiatives. These experiences make the shooting of 5 police officers (4 from the Jersey City Police Department and 1 from the Port Authority Police) on Thursday, July 16, 2009 particularly distressing.

Other recent shootings of police this year, including Oakland, California when 4 officers were killed on March 22 and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 13 when another officer was killed, must make us pause to appreciate our law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect us from the pervasive violence throughout our nation.

This morning I received an email entitled Pray for our brothers who stood up and protected us on July 16, 2009 from an officer in the Jersey City Police Department. The email reminds us that these brother officers represent the best in all of us and are in need of our prayers.

We would do well to reflect on Psalm 23 from this email as we pray for these officers:

PSALM 23
The LORD is my shepherd,
   I shall not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
   he restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
   for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
   of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil; for thou art with me;
   thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
   my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Michael Jackson: A Call for Insight, Understanding, and Action

2009-07-11T19:35:00.006-04:00

As the world responds to the death of Michael Jackson, we must remember to open hearts to the importance of insight, understanding, and action. Jackson was a creative genius that touched the world through his music, dance and fashion, as well as through his dedication to philanthropy. Commonly referred to as the King of Pop, he is considered one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.

For over 40 years, Jackson influenced culture throughout the world with not only his voice and dancing but trademark sequin glove, red leather jacket and his black fedora. Children across the globe imitated his every move as they watched his captivating videos.

Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, tallied 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles and the sale of an astonishing 750 million records. His 1982 Thriller album is the best selling release of all time with other best sellers including:

Off the Wall (1979)
Bad (1987)
HIStory (1995)

Jackson donated millions of dollars to charities. He founded the Heal the World Foundation in 1992 which was inspired by his song of the same name. This foundation enabled him to airlift more than 46 tons of supplies to Sarajevo, institute drug and alcohol abuse education and donate millions to impoverished children. The following songs convey his passion for helping those in need:

We Are The World (7:10)

Man In The Mirror (5:21)

You Are Not Alone (5:45)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmxT21uFRwM">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

Despite his deserved recognition for these accomplishments, Michael Jackson was a troubled soul who spoke candidly with Oprah Winfrey in 1993 about the challenges of a not-so-normal childhood, abuse at the hands of his father, and his admission that he often cried from loneliness. He was also accused of child sexual abuse—which he vehemently denied and was acquitted on all counts. Due to the stress of these allegations, compounded by chronic pain resulting from a stage accident and from joint inflammation associated with lupus, Jackson began a downward spiral with painkillers. This addiction led to the deterioration of his health. The tabloids were merciless and cruel with the coverage of Jackson's trials and tribulations.

It is all to easy to make rash and vindictive judgments on the life of Michael Jackson. More importantly, his creative and charitable contributions to the world must be appreciated. The realities of his troubled soul, especially his childhood abuse, loneliness and prescription drug abuse must be responded to with insight, understanding and action to prevent these tragedies in the lives of others, especially the young. The words of Michael Jackson in his song Have You Seen My Childhood, which he described as the most intimately honest and autobiographical of his career, must remind us of the importance of molding the hearts of our children through our love, guidance and affirmation.

Finally, it is important to remember the humanity of Michael Jackson through the heart of his own 11-year-old daughter Paris, who touched millions at her father's memorial service while fighting back tears, by proclaiming:

"I just want to say, ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just wanted to say I love him so much."

READ MORE

Have You Seen My Childhood	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Blogs on Drugs	Click here to visit site

Bergen Community College: Conversations with Bergen County Youth

2009-06-15T06:00:00.007-04:00

On Thursday, June 11, 2009 over 100 community leaders, educators, law enforcement, parents, students and social service representatives gathered at the Bergen Community College Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre in Paramus, New Jersey to take part in The Center for Suburban Criminal Justice Conference on "Conversations with Bergen County Youth."

The event included participation from the Center's partner colleges:

Bergen Community College
Westchester Community College
Norwalk Community College
Humber College

Results of interviews and electronic surveys with nearly 3,000 high school, middle school and elementary school students from Bergen County were shared and responded to with lively interaction from the attendees. The information provided insights on gang recruitment, drugs, bullying, crime and internet safety, including:

50% of 4th-5th graders shared that they have been bullied, mostly in the playground
80.5% claimed that parents never supervise their Internet activity and gang exposure often takes place through social networking sites such as MySpace
Many students feel that their schools do not take bullying seriously and that teachers do not listen to their concerns on these issues and guidance counselors are too easy on bullies
9th and 10th graders often have a casual attitude toward drugs and alcohol issues
Strong family ties are the strongest variable with helping youth avoid gangs
Gangs are inseparable from drugs and the reason for joining intensifies when there are problems at home

The leadership of Bergen Community College, especially through its President, Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, Philip C. Dolce, Professor Richard G. Kuiters and Shari Horowitz, is to be commended for their dedication to the youth of Bergen County.

D-Day Reflection: America's Moral Compass

2009-06-03T00:00:00.003-04:00

On June 6, 1944 the Western Allies began the Invasion of Normandy in an effort to free mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II. Despite suffering heavy casualties, the courage shown by the United States and Allied Forces on that day showed a moral strength and commitment to liberate the weak and oppressed who were being murdered by Hitler and the Nazis.

As our nation commemorates D-Day, when moral courage was demonstrated through the heroism, determination and sacrifices of individuals who laid down their lives for others, we must pause with reverence.

An event that took place on the streets of Hartford, Connecticut on June 5, 2008 must convict our consciences and ignite our passion to realign the moral compass of our nation. An elderly man was hit by a driver who fled the scene and no one did anything to help the critically injured man. The scene was captured on video so that all could witness the indifference, insensitivity and irreverence of the driver and the many bystanders.

This tragic incident must set our nation's soul afire to a renewal of compassion, character and community.

As we remember the legacy of D-Day so many years ago, let us also remember the values for which so many lives were sacrificed.

D-Day Voices of Veterans (5:25)

D-Day Tribute 1 (3:36)

D-Day Tribute 2 (2:32)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E7pJSC097w">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

PBS American Experience D-DAY

Click here to visit site

Memorial Day: Honoring Character, Courage, Sacrifice

2009-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

As the nation celebrates Memorial Day, the character, courage and sacrifice of military personnel deserves our devotion and prayerful reflection.

Saving Private Ryan (3:50)

Tomb of the Unknowns (3:13)

D-Day (3:08)

Remember Me (5:23)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO61uM8gnTs">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Commission on Remembrance	Click here to visit site
Patriotism Blogs	Click here to visit site

Spotlight On: Kids at Hope

2009-05-22T00:00:00.005-04:00

Kids at Hope's vision is that every child is afforded the belief, guidance and encouragement that creates a sense of hope and optimism, supported by a course of action needed to experience success at life's four major destinations: Home & Family; Education & Career; Community & Service; and Hobbies & Recreation.
— Kids At Hope Vision

Kids at Hope is an organization dedicated to assisting schools and youth-serving organizations build environments committed to every child's success. It fosters the belief that all children are "at hope" – able to achieve beyond expectation.

The Story of Kids at Hope
Reprinted from the Kids at Hope website

Kids at Hope traces its history to 1993 when a group of youth development practitioners expressed concern and distress about the use and abuse of the term youth at risk. It appeared to these professionals that our society might have unwittingly stereotyped an entire generation with an expression or label that unfortunately, devalues them. The coining of the term Kids at Hope generated great interest not only in the community based youth development field but also in education, recreation and law enforcement as well. It appeared that our community was ready to discard a label which may have at one time or another had merit, but which over the past two decades may have been so maligned that it was too easy a way to try to sum up the many threats our children were experiencing or could experience.

A group of education, youth development, law enforcement and recreation leaders were invited to a meeting to further explore the Kids at Hope concept and determine if it was possible to reverse the current youth at risk paradigm to that of at hope. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix was the organizing body but it realized that Kids at Hope was not about another well meaning youth program; it was about an entire belief system and strategy which needed to be part of the overall culture and not housed in the four walls of any one institution.

Through significant research and evaluation Kids at Hope has created a youth development strategy that begins with a belief system that states and demonstrates, all children are capable of success, No Exceptions; supported by a culture of individuals and organizations willing to suspend self interest to accomplish a common good on behalf of all children; and finally enhanced by programs which permit and demonstrate how all children can succeed on their terms as well as our terms.

I encourage you to visit the Kids at Hope website. The work of founder Rick Miller and all those involved with Kids at Hope is life affirming for all who experience it.

READ MORE

Kids At Hope

Click here to visit site

Livingston Police Department Police and Public Safety Expo

2009-05-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, May 9, 2009 a Police and Public Safety Expo was held at the Livingston Mall in New Jersey as coordinated by the Livingston Police Department.

The venue was a collaboration of federal, state, regional, county and local law enforcement agencies. It represented an outstanding community policing initiative allowing residents to interact with law enforcement and public safety officials.

After a welcome by Livingston Police Chief Craig Handschuch, Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow addressed the attendees reminding all of the privilege of serving and protecting the public. Prosecutor Dow also led a moment of silence to honor military in harms way, especially those who have been wounded or served with the ultimate sacrifice.

As an invited speaker, I shared remarks on the importance of a renewed dedication to courage, community and compassion in roles of public service.

Agencies involved with the expo included:

Belleville Police Department
Bloomfield Police Department
Caldwell Police Department
Cedar Grove Police Department
East Orange Police Department
Essex County Police Academy
Essex County Prosecutor
Essex County Sheriff’s Office
Essex Fells Police Department
Fairfield Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Glen Ridge Police Department
Irvington Police Department
Livingston Police Department
Livingston Fire Department
Maplewood Police Department
Millburn Police Department
Montclair Police Department
Newark Police Department
New Jersey State Police
New Jersey Transit Police
Orange Police Department
Roseland Police Department
South Orange Police Department
Union County Prosecutor's Office
U.S. Customs Service
U.S. Marshalls Service
Valor Security Services
Verona Police Department
West Caldwell Police Department
West Orange Police Department

I would like to commend the Livingston Police Department for their leadership, participating agencies and sponsors for their generosity, and attendees for coming out to enjoy the event.

National Day of Prayer: A Call to Transformation

2009-05-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

On this National Day of Prayer, we are called to pray, reflecting on America's noble heritage of spirituality that honors the diversity of faiths. It is a heritage found in the wisdom of the Founding Fathers and protected through the years in the teachings of Presidents, Statesmen, Constitutions, and Court Decisions. It is a heritage lived in the extraordinary example of ordinary Americans throughout the entire course of our nation’s history.

The great churches, magnificent synagogues, resplendent mosques and all places of prayer throughout this nation are in need of a transformation animated by Americans gathered in prayer. These places of sanctuary, petition, praise, forgiveness, intercession and blessing are entirely too empty; they should be once again filled with standing room only assemblies. The words of Abraham Lincoln on March 30, 1863 ring ever true:

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
"But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.
"Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
"It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."

READ MORE

National Day of Prayer

Click here to visit site

D.A.R.E. NJ 2009 Conference: Trends, Changes and Challenges

2009-05-01T06:00:00.003-04:00

D.A.R.E. New Jersey, in collaboration with law enforcement, schools, parents, community and governmental agencies, will provide premier leadership, guidance, direction and program materials to D.A.R.E. Officers, parents and educators in order to deliver a comprehensive drug and violence prevention curriculum and supportive programs to the State's youth and communities.
— D.A.R.E. NJ Mission Statement

The 2009 D.A.R.E. NJ annual state training conference titled Trends, Changes & Challenges was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey from April 28-30, 2009 and was attended by over 300 D.A.R.E. officers, educators, military personnel, community leaders and students. Nicholas R. DeMauro, Chairman & CEO and Dr. Barbara Allen-Walker, Director of Training and Education are to be commended for their leadership with coordinating this event.

The conference featured educational training by speakers addressing contemporary issues that affect youth including:

Students with Behavioral Challenges
Character Education
School Violence Prevention
Crisis Management
Alcohol Abuse, Illicit Drugs/Steroids, Prescription Drug Alert
Educational Principles of Working with Youth
Exploitation of Children
On line Social Networking and Technology
Military Families
Suicide Prevention
Gangs and Guns
Domestic Violence

One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of Craig Scott, a student at Columbine during the April 20, 1999 tragedy, who was in the school library where ten classmates were killed and over twenty wounded. He would later discover that his sister, Rachel Joy Scott, was the first student killed. Craig travels the country speaking about the compassion and kindness of his sister and offering hope through Rachel's Challenge:

ELIMINATE PREJUDICE
by looking for the Best in Others
DARE TO DREAM
Set Goals—Keep a Journal
CHOOSE YOUR INFLUENCES
Input Determines Output
KIND WORDS
Small Acts of Kindness = Huge Impact
START A CHAIN REACTION
With Family & Friends

As the keynote speaker for the conference, my presentation was titled Reawakening the Heart of America through Leadership, Vigilance and Collaboration and included reflections on the effect of drugs and alcohol on our "under the influence" society, especially our youth.

PRESENTATION AGENDA

WHY ARE WE HERE?
CONTEMPORARY CONCERNS
- Head On Collision
- Crisis of Leadership
- Culture of Violence
- Shattered Communities
- Filling the Void
REAWAKENING THE HEART OF AMERICA
- Progress and Priorities
- The Altruism Factor^TM
- Ingredients for Transformation
- Character: The Heart of the Matter
CALL TO ACTION
TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN MILITARY
CONCLUSION

It was a privilege to meet so many law enforcement, school, military and community leaders who are dedicated to touching the hearts of their students and transforming New Jersey families and communities. I was honored that each received a copy of Listen To Their Cries thanks to the generosity of D.A.R.E. N.J.

READ MORE

D.A.R.E. NJ	Click here to visit site
Rachel's Challenge	Click here to visit site
Craig Scott at 2006 White House School Safety Conference	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Alcohol Blogs	Click here to visit site
Drugs Blogs	Click here to visit site

The Enduring Power of Diversity: The Diary of Anne Frank

2009-04-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

On April 21, 2009, as the world is called to reverently commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day, a reflection on a child who dramatically personifies the sacredness of all human life is in order.

Anne Frank stands as the most memorable child of World War II and one of the most enduring children of all of history. Anne is a testimony to the dignity of the human being and that virtue endures despite the darkest possibility of inhumanity.

The Diary of Anne Frank charts the two years of this young Jewish girl from 1942-1944 when she hid with her family and another family from the Nazis. The book has become one of the critical documents of the twentieth century and profoundly inspires diversity, the power of the pen and the triumph of good over evil. Anne's book is one of the world's most read literary treasures, selling over 25 million copies and being translated into 67 different languages.

As a German-Jewish teenager, Anne was forced into hiding to escape execution from the Nazis during the Holocaust. After 25 months of hiding with her family, she was betrayed to the Nazis and deported to the Bergen-Bergen concentration camp. She died at 15 years old of typhus in March of 1945 while in the concentration camp.

Despite the dark chaos of intolerance, hatred and ignorance during her time, Anne Frank continued to believe in the goodness of humanity. On July 15, 1944, Anne wrote:

"It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart. It’s utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more."

READ MORE

Anne Frank Center	Click here to visit site
Anne Frank House	Click here to visit site

Families of Virginia Tech Tragedy Seek Truth and Accountability with Lawsuits

2009-04-20T06:30:00.007-04:00

On Thursday, April 16, 2009, two years after the Virginia Tech shootings, the families of Julia Kathleen Pryde and Erin Nicole Peterson—students who died in the tragedy—filed a lawsuit in the Fairfax County Virginia Circuit Court and issued a statement explaining why.

"We raised our daughters with a sense of integrity, a desire to seek the truth and a belief in keeping their word. Virginia Tech did not keep its word to us. We have filed this lawsuit in the hope that we will receive accountability for the tragic events of April 16, 2007.

"The faculty and students at Virginia tech have been extremely supportive of the families during this difficult time. Erin and Julia loved Virginia Tech and they felt at home there and were receiving a wonderful education. But, on April 16, 2007 the administrators who ran the university let our daughters down in ways we are just now learning.

"Sadly, the Report of the [Virginia Tech] Review Panel to the Governor, issued in August 2007, contained important inaccuracies, despite the panel's best efforts to get to the truth. University officials, it now appears, may have been less than candid and forthright in their responses to the questions put to them by the panel."

Details in the formal complaint include:

Virginia Tech issued a release which obfuscated the fact that there had been a double homicide in a dormitory the morning of April 16th, 2007, would dilute any information to that effect, implied that there were no serious injuries or deaths in the "shooting incident" and further implied that the incident was a completed event, that there was no gunman at large who was armed and dangerous and potentially on campus, and there was no need for anyone on campus to take specific precautions for their own safety.
As an inadequate warning, it constituted no warning at all, and in a sense artificially reassured the students, faculty and employees that whatever occurred in West Ambler Johnston Hall that morning was of much lesser consequences and risks than the Morva incident and the two recent threatened bombings on the engineering campus. The language, content and lack of specificity of the alert clearly implied that there was no reason to take any specific action for one's own safety.
In May, 2002 the United States Secret Service and the United States Department of Education issued its report: Threat Assessment in Schools: A Guide to Managing Threatening Situations and to Creating Safe School Climates… Research led to an inescapable conclusion. The first line of safety for students, faculty and employees was detection of those students who posed a risk of harm to fellow students, teachers or school employees. The published studies set out a list of early warning signs… as of October, 2005 into April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech had no threat assessment process, no threat assessment team no threat assessment policies, protocols or plans…Had Virginia Tech followed this roadmap, Seung-Hui Cho would have been identified as a student at risk.
The records of Cho's visits to the Cook Counseling Center and the records made by others but accumulated at the Cook Counseling Center with respect to Cho were required by Virginia law to be maintained. They were not…The absence of any records of Cho's contacts with the Cook Counseling Center, the absence of records of his adjudication of mental illness and dangerousness, the absence of records of his involuntary detention and involuntary order into out patient therapy based upon that illness and that dangerousness reflects the continued consequences of the negligence and gross negligence of the officers, agents and employees of the Cook counseling Center.
On the 16th of April, 2007, the duly authorized agents of the university, seduced by the prospect of a successful fund drive, and driven to control the message of the morning of April 16th in fulfillment of that ambition and to protect the general reputation and image of the university, behaved in a deliberately indifferent way to the safety of the university's students and faculty, failed to warn them of the risks inherent in allowing a gunman who had already killed two to run loose on the campus.

For these families—and for all the families whose loved ones were killed or injured on that tragic day—this lawsuit is not about money. It is about revealing the truth of the events of April 16, 2007 and holding those in positions of responsibility and authority accountable.

READ MORE

Families issue statement about Virginia Tech shooting lawsuit	Click here to visit site
Family Complaint	Click here to visit site
Family Press Release	Click here to visit site
Crisis of Leadership: A Response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report	Click here to visit site
Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site

Remembering Columbine and Virginia Tech: A Time for Reverence and Vigilance

2009-04-16T00:00:00.003-04:00

As we approach the second anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy and the tenth anniversary of the Columbine High School tragedy on April 16th and 20th, respectively, we must pause to reverently remember those who lost their lives, and all adversely affected by the tragedies, especially family members. These anniversaries must be prayerful experiences not only at Virginia Tech and Columbine, but in schools and communities throughout the nation.

Virginia Tech Tribute (8:01)

Columbine Tribute (4:37)

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

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Virginia Tech Tribute	Click here to visit site
Columbine Tribute	Click here to visit site

Fairleigh Dickinson University: Character Initiative at the United States Military Academy

2009-04-06T23:40:00.000-04:00

Leadership is not magnetic personality—that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not "making friends and influencing people"—that is flattery.

Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. – Peter F. Drucker

On Friday, April 3, 2009 60 students and law enforcement officials from Fairleigh Dickinson University Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies School of Administrative Science visited the United States Military Academy at West Point for an initiative highlighting character, service and leadership.

After a tour of West Point, the event began with a presentation by Terry Calandra, a Vietnam Veteran who received numerous commendations for valor including:

Five Purple Hearts
Two Army Commendations for Valor
Three Bronze Stars
Silver Star
Air Medal
Distinguished Service Cross
Vietnam Medal for Gallantry

Mr. Calandra shared stories of his experiences which were not only inspirational but humbling since they reflected his devotion to duty and concern for his band of brothers serving in the jungles of Vietnam.

The second presentation was delivered by Major Casey M. Moes of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point. Major Moes shared stories of her personal experiences in Iraq and reflections on leadership. She spoke about numerous individuals who exemplify leadership and applied the lessons learned from them to life in the military and for civilians.

As an invited speaker, I delivered a presentation titled Reawakening the Heart of America through Leadership, Vigilance and Collaboration. It focused on concerns in contemporary society and highlighted the criticality of character as the ingredient for the transformation of our nation. Afterwards, all attendees received customized copies of my newest book, Listen To Their Cries, through the generosity of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

A special recognition is deserving of Dr. Joseph A. Devine, Assistant Professor and S. Craig Mourton, Assistant Dean of Community Development, for their leadership in developing this character initiative for the university.

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Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Administrative Science

Click here to visit site

Opening Day Reflection: Lou Gehrig

2009-04-05T00:00:00.002-04:00

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

As the 2009 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 he 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 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

Be a Person of Character: Change the World

2009-04-01T06:00:00.003-04:00

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

Washington School Empowering Students and Parents

2009-03-02T06:00:00.010-05:00

On Friday, February 27, 2009, I had the pleasure of returning to the Union City Public Schools in Hudson County, New Jersey to provide presentations to over 300 students, parents and educators at the Washington School. This was a continuation of numerous educational initiatives for administrators, security personnel, school crossing guards, parents and students throughout the district.

The students met in the gym for a presentation on Social Networking Technology Concerns. Following the presentation, I visited several classrooms to continue discussion on why character is important and to encourage the students to use technology in a positive way.

Social networking technology includes:

Instant Messaging, email, voice connection and web cams
Online Community websites, such as MySpace and Facebook
Media sharing websites, such as YouTube, Picasa and Flickr
Cell Phones for voice, text, picture and video sharing

Event highlights:

Focusing on what it means to be a student which includes personal responsibility, reaching one’s full potential and achieving greatness by making sacrifices. Students discussed the importance of encouraging one another and avoiding negativity and criticism.
Honestly confronting problems at home and school.
The importance of working together and being involved with the community including family and friends, church, community organizations and school.
Developing personal leadership especially through the quality of character.
The use of a Secret Power: "You have the power to change the world by helping each other do what is right."

We then explored the dangers of inappropriate content, including:

Misinformation
Pictures / Videos
Language
Gangs / Criminal Activity
Bullies / Cyberbullying
Predators

All students were encouraged to get involved, making "Character: The Heart of the Matter," as inspired by Rachel Scott's Challenge:

ELIMINATE PREJUDICE
by looking for the Best in Others
DARE TO DREAM
Set Goals—Keep a Journal
CHOOSE YOUR INFLUENCES
Input Determines Output
KIND WORDS
Small Acts of Kindness = Huge Impact
START A CHAIN REACTION
With Family & Friends

Vincent Bove on Character (0:11)

Rachel's Challenge (4:01)

<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVw7upcufEI">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

Earlier in the day, a presentation took place for parents and educators of the school titled Technology Concerns for Parents and Educators: Social Networking, Cell Phones, Instant Messaging. To accommodate the diverse members of the Washington School community, the presentation was delivered in both English and Spanish.

Parent and Educator Agenda

Why Are We Here?
- Primary Role of the Parent
- Foundations of Self-Esteem
- Family Stress Factors
- Community Support
Technology Benefits
Technology Concerns
- Why Parents Must Care
  - Exposure to / Posting of Inappropriate Content
  - Online Predators
  - Cyber-bullying / Cyber-threats
  - Criminal Conduct / Sexting
- What Parents Can Do
  - Signs That Your Child May Be At Risk Online
  - Tips For Fostering Positive Use Of Technology
  - Family Contract For Online Safety
Technology Basics
- Overview
- ‘Net Lingo
- Social Networking Sites
- Cell Phones
- Instant Messaging
Call To Action
In Remembrance: Honoring American Military
Conclusion

Washington School is to be highly commended for this initiative that encourages students—supported and guided by parents and educators—to reach their full potential, wisely using the tools of the computer age, helping one another, developing personal character and enhancing a sense of patriotism.

READ MORE

Rachel's Challenge	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site

Hackensack High School: Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement Part II

2009-02-27T19:00:00.005-05:00

Hackensack High School is a learning community that fosters an appreciation for cultural diversity, intellectual growth, and individual diligence. We strive to prepare students to accept life's challenges by encouraging them to be open-minded, reflective, life-long learners who have integrity and respect for others. Hackensack High School, in partnership with home and community, will develop citizens who make a difference in their community. — Hackensack High School Mission Statement

On Wednesday, February 27, 2009, a school and community initiative titled Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement: gang awareness and resistance, dealing with anger, resolving conflict, become a person of character continued with two presentations — one to over 400 tenth graders and the other to a core group of district leaders including the superintendent, administrators, board of education members, supervisors and law enforcement personnel.

TENTH GRADE AGENDA

Why Are We Here?
- What does it mean to be a student?
- Do you have self-esteem?
- Is your life stressful?
- You can change the world
Contemporary Concerns
- Head on Collision
- Crisis of Leadership
- Culture of Violence
- Shattered Communities
- Filling the Void
Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement
- Gang awareness and resistance
- Dealing with anger
- Resolving conflict
- Be a person of character
Honoring American Military
Conclusion

After the tenth grade program, the district leaders gathered to hear their version of the presentation—an overview of the student content with additional modules including:

Model of an Educator in Action
Cultivating a Preventive rather than Repressive Educational System
Building Better Staff/Parent/Community Connections
The Altruism Factor

Thanks to Dr. Mark Porto, Principal of Hackensack High School, all district leader attendees received a custom logo version of my newest book Listen To Their Cries.

Hackensack Public Schools, under the leadership of Superintendent Edward Kliszus, Ph.D., is building a model of education that cultivates the finest within all elements of the school community.

READ MORE

Hackensack High School	Click here to visit site
Hackensack High School: Creating a Culture of Character and Achievement Part I	Click here to visit site
A New Wave of Evidence	Click here to visit site
Managing Anger	Click here to visit site
Facts for Teens: Conflict Resolution	Click here to visit site
Facts for Teens: Physical Fighting Among Teenagers	Click here to visit site
KidsHealth	Click here to visit site
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center	Click here to visit site
New Jersey's Online Gang Free Community	Click here to visit site

FBI Newark Division Celebrates Black History Month

2009-02-23T00:00:00.007-05:00

On Friday, February 20, 2009, I was a privileged guest of the FBI Newark Division's black history month celebration titled African Americans Working Together to Make a Change. In a pre-recorded video, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Weysan Dun, unable to attend due to business in Washington, welcomed the 200 plus guests to the celebration. SAC Dun emphasized that diversity is one of our nation's greatest strengths and stressed that the FBI is a primary defender of civil rights. He called attention to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln as pillars of the advancement of civil rights.

CELEBRATION AGENDA (from the event flyer)

Master of Ceremonies	SA Frederick L. Ransom
Welcome	SAC Weysan Dun ASAC David Velasquez
Invocation	SA George E. Graves, Jr.
Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem	Ms. Sarah Dash
Negro National Anthem	The Ed Ray Singers
Introduction of Keynote	AO Dorisse Shakir-Ullah
Keynote The Honorable Cory A. Booker, Mayor, Newark, NJ
Musical Selection	The Ed Ray Singers
Aubrey C.Lewis Award
Presentation Recipient: Lena Nixon, Retired FBI Newark Division	SA Ransom
Musical Selection	Mr. Abdur-Raqueeb Shakir-Ullah
Closing Remarks	ASAC Aaron T. Ford
Benediction	SA George E. Graves, Jr.

Cory A. Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey delivered the keynote address. Mayor Booker began his remarks by expressing his admiration for the FBI's dedication to make real the promise of our country as "one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." He then shared the following thoughts:

His recent attendance at President Barack Obama's inauguration with members of his family including his own 91 year old grandmother. Her presence at this historic event represented the importance of equality, opportinuity and justice becoming a greater reality for every American.
The greatness of America is exemplified through ordinary Americans who have lived with extraordinary determination.
The importance of representing the true heroes of our nation, such as the African American children who stood with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in May of 1963 against racism and white supremacy, courageously calling for change in America.
America must not tolerate neighborhoods where people fear for their lives and where innocent children are killed. Our nation is called to a new era of change, character and courage.
The example of friendship and mutual respect between Abraham Lincoln and Samuel Douglass can and should be taken to heart by today's citizens. This is the work that each American must embark upon so that the promise of our nation becomes a reality for all.

After the event, I was honored to spend a few minutes with Mayor Booker and present him with a copy of my latest book Listen To Their Cries in appreciation for his inspiring service to community and dedication to the people of Newark.

The FBI Newark Division is to be commended for this extraordinary event which allowed the diversity of our nation to be celebrated and the contributions of black Americans to be recognized.

READ MORE

The Frederick Douglass Papers	Click here to visit site
We Shall Overcome	Click here to visit site
Biography.com—Black History	Click here to visit site
Association for the Study of African American Life and History	Click here to visit site
Time For Kids—Black History Month	Click here to visit site
The King Center	Click here to visit site

Virginia Tech Tragedy: A Crisis of Character Exposed

2009-02-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

Fortunately, there is one reporter covering the Virginia Tech tragedy whose investigative reporting and tireless pursuit of the facts has revealed a crisis of character at the highest levels of Virginia Tech leadership. Richmond Times-Dispatch Reporter David Ress' determination and fortitude reminds us that deception must never be tolerated and the truth must always be served.

In a Monday, February 9, 2009 article, Mr. Ress and reporter Carlos Santos, uncovered serious inconsistencies between the version of events as reported in the Virginia Tech Panel Report and their findings after review of thousands of documents over the past several months prior to the documents being released to the public on February 10, 2009.

The story, titled Lonely Search for Answers exposes the decision-making deficiencies of Charles W. Steger, President of Virginia Tech and numerous senior level officials. These serious errors in judgment demand that the public not only stand up and take notice but respond with moral indignation:

University officials acted to protect themselves while delaying a warning to the campus and that the official reason for the delay was mistaken.
University officials pushed to quickly close a fund set up for victims and families even as the school's leaders shifted attention back to a $1 billion fundraising campaign originally put on hold.
Alienation by Virginia Tech’s President and senior officials toward families of the victims.
Failing to exercise leadership with the most basic principles of crisis management through a lack of empathy, compassion and dignity toward the families of the victims. One parent expresses this frustration through his being directed by a Virginia Tech official to track down his daughter by making his own calls to hospitals and the morgue.
Immediate planning (on the very afternoon following the shootings) to scrap an upcoming gala and launch a $1 billion fundraising campaign.
Plans within 2 weeks of the tragedy at a meeting of Tech’s most senior officials with a note for a "healing concert offered for September 6 we could charge for outsiders."
One of Tech's most senior officials quoted the president of Virginia Tech, Charles W. Steger as planning to close a special fund for the families "as soon as possible... close fund & accept no more gifts... no more $ available for counseling."
The failure of Charles W. Steger in not immediately and personally calling all victim families to express condolences. One family reports not being contacted by him until August 9, almost 4 months after the tragedy.
The pressure on the families via a form on August 15 requiring them to agree to a funds proposal distribution within 30 days, by September 15.
The launching of the Virginia Tech capital project just a few weeks later, on October 20.

Perhaps the insensitivity and derisive treatment from Virginia Tech's President and officials toward the victims families is best expressed by Michael Pohle, whose son, Michael, died in Norris Hall,

"On the day I was burying my son, they were talking about their gala."

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Richmond Times-Dispatch Virginia Tech Shootings Articles	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Virginia Tech Blogs	Click here to visit site