[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 102 (Friday, July 29, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           ACCEPT SENATE PROVISION ON VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, last night the Senate added an important 
provision to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act giving local 
schools broader authority to deal with weapons and violence in the 
classroom. This amendment is similar to legislation that I have 
introduced in the House, the Student-Teacher Protection Act.
  The amendment by the senior Senator from Washington allows local 
schools to take necessary disciplinary action against any student who 
brings a deadly weapon to school or who commits a life-threatening act 
of violence. Currently, students who are covered under the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act--the IDEA--cannot be removed from the 
classroom for more than 10 days without a court order, regardless of 
the severity of their offense.
  While the overwhelming number of Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act students are dedicated learners who deserve our 
admiration, we have seen an increasing number of cases at the local 
level of dangerous behavior by a small number of students. This has 
been a significant concern in several of my local school districts, and 
I have been pleased to work with the Senator from Washington on this 
matter.
  I urge the House conferees on this bill to accept this important 
Senate amendment and provide safer schools for all our students and 
teachers.

                          ____________________