III 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 296 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 2, 2007 Mr. Stevens (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Casey, Mr. Thune, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating September 2007 as National Youth Court Month.

Whereas the United States is built on strong communities in which all citizens play an active role and invest in the success and future of the youth of the United States; Whereas the sixth National Youth Court Month celebrates the outstanding achievements of youth court programs throughout the country; Whereas in 2006, more than 120,000 youths volunteered to hear more than 130,000 juvenile cases, and more than 20,000 adults volunteered to facilitate peer justice in youth court programs; Whereas 1,210 youth court programs in 49 States and the District of Columbia provide restorative justice for juvenile offenders, resulting in effective crime prevention, early intervention and education for all youth participants, and enhanced public safety throughout the United States; Whereas youth courts address offenses that might otherwise go unaddressed until the offending behavior escalates and reduce caseloads for the juvenile justice system; Whereas youth courts redirect the efforts of juvenile offenders toward becoming contributing members of their communities by holding juvenile offenders accountable and reconciling victims, communities, juvenile offenders, and their families; Whereas Federal, State, and local governments, corporations, foundations, service organizations, educational institutions, juvenile justice agencies, and individual adults support youth court programs because these programs actively promote and contribute to building successful, productive lives and futures for the youth of the United States; Whereas a fundamental correlation exists between youth service and lifelong community involvement; Whereas volunteer service and related service learning opportunities enable young people to build character and develop and enhance life-skills, such as responsibility, decision-making, time management, teamwork, public speaking, and leadership, which prospective employers will value; and Whereas youth court programs encourage participants to become valuable members of their communities: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate designates September 2007 as National Youth Court Month.