Britain Bennett goes to D.C.

SANDUSKY — The fight against bullying should have bipartisan support, an area activist said. Perkins High School graduate Britain Bennett, who works as a Shine Corp Ambassador for 3 Musketeers, traveled to Washington, D.C. to share her anti-bullying ideas and "Be a SMART Parent Day" with legislators on the national level.During her visit, Bennett met with U.S. representatives Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey; Tom Reed, R-New York; Mike Quigley, D-Illinois and Randy Hultgren, R-Illinois.In June, state lawmakers in the Ohio House approved House Bill 315, which, if signed by Gov. John Kasich, would designate Oct. 6 as "Be a SMART (social media awareness, respect and timing) Parent Day" in Ohio. The bill has moved to the Ohio Senate for consideration. Locally, the day has been recognized county-wide for three years.Bennett met with the lawmakers in 30-minute sessions to educate them on her cause. She specifically met with them because of their history reaching across party lines to make an impact. "Meeting with Britain reinforced how the next generation of American leaders and deciders are not interested in partisan politics – they are eager to sit down and work together to solve issues," Gottheimer said.Added Reed: "Britain's message to #ThrowShine and leverage positivity to find solutions resonates not only here on Capitol Hill, but every corner in America."Quigley and Hultgren were interested in hearing Bennett's message and are staying in touch to bring it to eventually Illinois students."They were very interested because it's not something that's talked about much," Bennett said.Before talking with lawmakers, Bennett passed out 3 Musketeers bars with inspirational messages in front of the Capitol Hill metro station."I think teens need to believe and know they can make a difference," Bennett said. "I hope teens can know that you're able to do what I did and lobby if you work your butt off for it."She hopes to return to the nation's capital in the near future.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhood3 Musketeers® Shine Corps Ambassador Britain Bennett, meets with Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill. and Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill as part of the 3 Musketeers® #ThrowShine campaign on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. 3 Musketeers® Shine Corps Ambassador, Britain Bennett meets with Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. and Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., as part of the 3 Musketeers® #ThrowShine campaign on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington.