Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who succeeded FAMU alumnus Kendrick B. Meek in the U.S. House of Representatives, will introduce a bill to make hazing a federal offense. She says the new law will combat hazing incidents like the tragedy that claimed FAMU drum major Robert Champion’s life on November 19.“Hazing is demeaning, dangerous, and, sadly, deadly,” Wilson said. “It’s time that we put an end to this horrible and humiliating ritual once and for all, so that no more students suffer the way that Robert and others have.”
A press release from Wilson's office highlights her efforts to fight hazing throughout her four-year tenure as the South Atlantic Regional Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. A Miami Herald reporter nicknamed her “The Haze Buster” because of her very public stance to stamp out hazing on college campuses.
“I am having policy discussions now with presidents of historically-black colleges and universities, band members and presidents of Greek-letter organizations so that we will be able to craft a strong bill for introduction next month,” Wilson said.
Wilson is an HBCU alumna who earned her bachelor of science in elementary education from Fisk University.