[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 70 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 70

Designating the week beginning March 16, 2003, as ``National Safe Place 
                                Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 3, 2003

Mr. Craig (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Feingold, Mr. 
 Fitzgerald, Mr. Inhofe, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Nickles, Mr. Smith, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Crapo, and 
Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                   to the Committee on the Judiciary

                             March 12, 2003

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week beginning March 16, 2003, 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 Safe Place combines the efforts of the private sector and non-profit 
        organizations uniting to reach youth in the early stages of crisis;
Whereas Safe Place provides a direct means to assist programs in meeting 
        performance standards relative to outreach/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 over 655 communities in 41 States and more than 11,000 locations have 
        established Safe Place Programs;
Whereas over 61,000 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 16 through March 23, 2003, 
        as ``National Safe Place Week''; and
            (2) requests 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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