Tuesday, October 24, 2006
VIOLENCE PREVENTION EXPERT TO COMMENT ON SCHOOL SHOOTINGS
Expert Daniel Gross is available for commentary regarding ways to prevent gun violence in schools. Daniel is the founder and CEO of PAX/Real Solutions to Gun Violence, whose school violence prevention campaign, SPEAK UP, is currently in communities across the country. Dan is available to comment from New York City. See bio below.
Columbine survivor Crystal Woodman Miller is also available to comment on the recent rash of school shootings. Crystal travels the country speaking out about school violence. See bio below.
About Daniel Gross
In February 1997, Daniel was 30 and the youngest partner in the history of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency when his younger brother Matthew was critically injured in the shooting atop the Empire State Building. By the end of 1997, Daniel left his career in advertising to co-found PAX. Today, Daniel is recognized as a leading spokesperson on the gun violence issue, appearing regularly in national and local media. Daniel's numerous awards and honors include a fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation, which recognized him as one of the next generation of America's leaders. Daniel received a B.S. from Tulane University, with honors in Psychology and Economics.
About Crystal Miller
Crystal was a junior at Columbine High School in 1999, the year that two students opened fire on the school and killed twelve of her classmates and one teacher. She was in the library studying for a test when two boys rushed in with guns and she hid under a table while they shot many people around her. Crystal survived because the attackers ran out of ammunition. The events of that day changed her life. Now twenty-four years old, Crystal travels around the country full-time, telling her story at schools, community centers and churches. Crystal is committed to empowering young people and giving them tools to prevent similar tragedies in their own communities.
About PAX:
PAX’s school violence prevention program, SPEAK UP, empowers students with an unprecedented resource to prevent school and community violence. Based on the fact that in over 80% of school shootings the attackers tell other students about their plans, SPEAK UP features the first-and-only anonymous national hotline for students to report weapon threats - 1-866-SPEAK-UP. In only three years, the 1-866-SPEAK-UP hotline has received over 14,000 calls resulting in the prevention of countless tragedies and sending the powerful message that young people everywhere are no longer tolerating violent weapons and threats. PAX has become the largest non-lobbying group dedicated to the gun violence issue based on the strength of an innovative strategy and proven results.
Media Contacts:
Travis Grossi
travis@paxusa.org
917.421.6722 (cell)
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