[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 80 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 80

Designating the week beginning March 15, 2009, as ``National Safe Place 
                                Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 19, 2009

 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself and Mr. Martinez) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week beginning March 15, 2009, as ``National Safe Place 
                                Week''.

Whereas the young people of the United States will bear the bright torch of 
        democracy in the future;
Whereas young people need a safe haven from negative influences, such as child 
        abuse, substance abuse, and crime;
Whereas young people need resources that are readily available to assist them 
        when they are faced with circumstances that compromise their safety;
Whereas the United States needs more community volunteers to act as positive 
        influences on the young people of the United States;
Whereas the Safe Place program is committed to protecting the young people of 
        the United States, the most valuable asset of the Nation, by offering 
        short term safe places at neighborhood locations where trained 
        volunteers are available to counsel and advise young people seeking 
        assistance and guidance;
Whereas the Safe Place program combines the efforts of the private sector and 
        nonprofit organizations to reach young people in the early stages of 
        crisis;
Whereas the Safe Place program provides a direct way to assist programs in 
        meeting performance standards relating to outreach and community 
        relations, as set forth in the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 
        5701 et seq.);
Whereas the Safe Place placard displayed at businesses within communities stands 
        as a beacon of safety and refuge to at-risk young people;
Whereas more than 1,400 communities in 37 States make the Safe Place program 
        available at nearly 16,000 locations;
Whereas more than 200,000 young people have gone to Safe Place locations to get 
        help when faced with crisis situations and have received counseling by 
        phone as a result of Safe Place information the young people received at 
        school;
Whereas, through the efforts of Safe Place coordinators across the United 
        States, each year more than 500,000 students learn in a classroom 
        presentation that the Safe Place program is a resource they can turn to 
        if they encounter abuse or neglect and 1,000,000 Safe Place information 
        cards are distributed; and
Whereas increased awareness of the Safe Place program will encourage more 
        communities to establish Safe Place locations for the young people of 
        the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week beginning March 15, 2009, as 
        ``National Safe Place Week''; and
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States and 
        interested groups to--
                    (A) promote awareness of, and volunteer for, the 
                Safe Place program; and
                    (B) observe the week with appropriate ceremonies 
                and activities.
                                 <all>