[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
COMMENDING THE AUTHORS OF AND THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CATALOGUE OF HOPE

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                            HON. RON de LUGO

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 1994

  Mr. de LUGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Senate Judiciary 
Committee Chairman Joseph Biden and the committee majority staff for 
producing the excellent compendium, ``Catalogue of Hope.''
  Senator Biden's Catalogue of Hope cites nearly 200 programs across 
the country, programs large and small, professional and volunteer, in 
the States and the territories, that focus on youth and on turning them 
from the temptation of crime.
  The catalogue notes two programs in my district, the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, for their excellence:
  The Rising Stars youth steel orchestra, conceived and developed by 
Territorial Court Presiding Judge Verne Hodge, trains young people to 
play while making sure their grades are strong and their conduct is 
wholesome.
  Graffiti Street, coordinated by Alli Petrus, is a television program 
produced by local youth as a forum to address their concerns without 
adult interference.
  Mr. Speaker, this House just approved the most sweeping bill in 
history to combat crime and attack the causes of this Nation's 
appalling increase in lawlessness, particularly among our young people.
  There is no more important challenge before us than to ensure that 
all of our Nation's youth have every opportunity to grow up free of 
violence and become productive, contributing members of our society.
  Senator Biden's Catalogue of Hope shows how American communities like 
mine are doing just that, leading the way with programs like the Rising 
Stars and Graffiti Street, and heading off crime before it can ravage 
our youth and us all.

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