[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 309 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 309

Designating the week beginning March 14, 2004, as ``National Safe Place 
                                Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 3, 2004

 Mr. Craig (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. 
 Fitzgerald, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
   Johnson, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kohl, Mrs. 
    Lincoln, Mr. Shelby, and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                             March 12, 2004

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week beginning March 14, 2004, as ``National Safe Place 
                                Week''.

Whereas today's youth are vital to the preservation of our country and will be 
        the future bearers of the bright torch of democracy;
Whereas youth need a safe haven from various negative influences such as child 
        abuse, substance abuse and crime, and they need to have resources 
        readily available to assist them when faced with circumstances that 
        compromise their safety;
Whereas the United States needs increased numbers of community volunteers acting 
        as positive influences on the Nation's youth;
Whereas the Safe Place Program is committed to protecting our Nation's most 
        valuable asset, our youth, by offering short term ``safe places'' at 
        neighborhood locations where trained volunteers are available to counsel 
        and advise youth seeking assistance and guidance;
Whereas the Safe Place Program combines the efforts of the private sector and 
        nonprofit organizations uniting to reach youth in the early stages of 
        crisis;
Whereas the Safe Place Program provides a direct way to assist programs in 
        meeting performance standards relative to outreach and community 
        relations, as set forth in the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act 
        guidelines;
Whereas the Safe Place placard displayed at businesses within communities stands 
        as a beacon of safety and refuge to at-risk youth;
Whereas more than 700 communities in 42 States and more than 14,000 locations 
        have established Safe Place Programs;
Whereas more than 68,000 young people have gone to Safe Place locations to get 
        help when faced with crisis situations;
Whereas through the efforts of Safe Place coordinators across the country each 
        year more than one-half million students learn that Safe Place is a 
        resource if abusive or neglectful situations exist; and
Whereas increased awareness of the program's existence will encourage 
        communities to establish Safe Places for the Nation's youth throughout 
        the country: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) proclaims the week of March 14 through March 20, 2004, 
        as ``National Safe Place Week''; and
            (2) request that the President issue a proclamation calling 
        upon the people of the United States and interested groups to 
        promote awareness of and volunteer involvement in the Safe 
        Place Programs, and to observe the week with appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities.
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