Chesapeake Rally

Good afternoon, Chesapeake!

Today, I want to talk about something that cuts to the heart of what we hold most dear: our children. Their safety, their education, and their future. As we look at the challenges facing our society, it’s clear that we have a responsibility to act, and to act boldly. Our children are counting on us to protect them, to teach them, and to give them the opportunities they deserve.

First, the world we live in today is increasingly digital. Our kids are growing up in a world where they’re connected to the internet from an early age. But with this technology comes risk—particularly the risk that private companies are collecting, storing, and selling their data. Right now, tech companies can track what children are doing online, gather their personal information, and then sell it to the highest bidder. That is unacceptable to me and I know to many of you.

It’s time to draw a line in the sand and say that our children's information is not for sale! These companies can no longer be allowed to exploit young people for profit, jeopardizing their safety, mental health, and futures!

But protecting children goes beyond just privacy—it’s about their physical safety too. Across our country, parents are worried about the violence in our schools. Schools should be a place where children feel safe, where they can focus on learning, and where their only concern should be their education.

That’s why we need a police officer in every school.

Having trained law enforcement at every school is not just about responding to emergencies; it’s about preventing emergencies. It’s about creating a safe environment where students can thrive, where teachers can focus on teaching, and where parents can send their children knowing that every possible measure is being taken to keep them safe. A visible presence of a police officer sends a clear message: our schools are safe zones, and we are serious about protecting our students.

Of course, safety and security are essential, but what we teach our children is just as important as the environment in which they learn. And that brings me to the third issue: ensuring that all of history is taught in our schools—the good, the bad, and everything in between.

History is more than just a list of dates and events. It’s the story of how we got here, of the struggles and triumphs that shaped our nation. Some of those stories are inspiring, others are difficult, but all of them are important. We can’t shy away from teaching the full truth. Our children need to learn about the sacrifices made for freedom, the progress we’ve achieved, and the injustices we’ve faced. Because when we teach the whole truth, we give our children the tools to create a better future. We can’t pick and choose which parts of history we share.

The dark chapters of our past are just as vital as the moments of greatness. If we ignore them, we will repeat the same mistakes. Teaching the full spectrum of history—from the triumphs of the civil rights movement to the horrors of slavery and segregation, from the courage of those who fought for women’s suffrage to the shame of internment camps—ensures that future generations understand the complexities of our past and are prepared to lead with compassion and wisdom.

So today, I ask you to join me in protecting our children—in their privacy, their safety, and their education. Let’s prohibit the sale of their data, ensure that every school is secure, and make sure that all of our history is taught, without exception. Why? Because our children deserve nothing less than our best efforts.

Thank you!