[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1994

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                               speech of

                           HON. MARILYN LLOYD

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 1994

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4092) to 
     control and prevent crime.

  Mrs. LLOYD. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the community justice 
program provisions included in the Violent Crime Control and 
Enforcement Act. These provisions focus on crime prevention. The 
provisions take positive steps in instilling confidence and self-worth 
among many of our at-risk youth.
  Too many of our youth are subjected to the hostile environment on the 
streets where selling drugs and committing crimes are a way of life. 
Unfortunately, many American communities do not have the resources to 
provide alternatives for at-risk youth. Thus, many juveniles are 
exposed to a life of crime. We must provide alternatives to at-risk 
youth. We need to catch them during their most impressionable years, 
before they follow the pernicious path of crime.
  I particularly applaud the authorization of grants for midnight 
sports leagues. Hamilton County Juvenile Court in my district has 
expressed interest in implementing such a program, as an addition to a 
crime prevention initiative known as Project: About Face. The objective 
of the project is to encourage juvenile delinquents to do an about face 
into a positive contributing member of society, and effectively 
reducing the crime rate. The court witnesses the everyday afflictions 
experienced by juvenile delinquents. For many of these at-risk youths, 
their initial entry into the judicial system is the start of a vicious 
cycle.
  The midnight sports league help communities keep youth off the 
streets, by allowing them to use local gymnasiums and community 
facilities throughout the night. In addition, the program will provide 
individuals participating in the league with job training, educational 
seminars, and counseling services.
  Mr. Chairman, the midnight sports program and other prevention 
programs included in the crime bill give at-risk youth a sense of 
community and support. The minimal cost in providing sports leagues, 
educational resources, and community activities is certainly a 
worthwhile investment in changing juvenile delinquents into productive 
adults.

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