Keep it Quiet. Sánchez Honors National Day of Silence

"Today, we take a pause in our day to silently honor those who have been hurt by bullying and harassment," said Rep. Linda Sánchez."Our kids, regardless of sexual orientation, should go to school to learn, not fear for their safety. Think about the voices you are not hearing today – what isn't being said conveys a strong message."

The Day of Silence is a day in which students take a vow of silence to bring attention to the anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) name-calling, bullying, and harassment faced by individuals in schools, including students, teachers, and other school staff.

Congresswoman Sánchez spearheads a platform of bullying legislation including the "Safe Schools Improvement Act," which will require schools receiving federal funding to enact policies to prohibit bullying and harassment, and allow them to use funds for resources to teach bullying prevention and intervention.

"It's a shame that recent teen suicides have been the loudest voices for change in the way we think about bullying," continued Sánchez. "It's time we combat the outdated belief that bullying is a harmless right of passage. It's not. It's literally a life and death issue."

Sánchez is also the sponsor of the "Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act," and the "Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act."