Common People
Many reporters, myself included, have struggled over the years to humanize stories about the legislative process. Stephanie Garry of the Miami Herald, however, successfully finds a way to breathe life into coverage of the Florida Legislature with "Personal Tragedies Drive Average Folks to Fight for All." Garry describes the emotional efforts of regular citizens to get bills passed amid the political skirmishes of the state capitol. In the passage below, Garry tells us about Debbie Johnston, whose son killed himself after being bullied in school:
For two years, she has sought legislation to create a statewide ban on bullying. As the session ended nearly eight hours before deadline Friday and her bill died, she wept in the public gallery above while senators congratulated themselves and their staff for the session's hard work.
Last year, the legislation died as representatives debated whether Key lime pie should be the state's official dessert. She still won't eat it.
The suggestion for this story came from the Casey Journalism Center for Children and Families. www.miamiherald.com/458/story/99555.html