[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 103 (Monday, August 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 1, 1994]


 
                     RECOGNIZING NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

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                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 1994

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a nationwide 
grassroots effort to combat crime that is gaining momentum and that 
deserves our recognition and our support.
  As my colleagues know, I have a consistent voting record on 
advocating tough punishment for violent criminals coupled with smart 
crime prevention efforts. Just this week, conferees agreed on the final 
provisions of the toughest crime bill ever--a bill that contains truth 
in sentencing provisions to ensure that violent criminals stay in 
prison until they have served their sentences. This bill also includes 
progressive crime prevention strategies, to stop crime and violence in 
our cities, neighborhoods, and schools. Such measures include antigang 
programs, the Youth Employment and Skills project, and the Midnight 
Sports Program.
  While prevention and intervention programs for youth are essential, 
another critical component of prevention is community involvement. 
Statistics clearly demonstrate that when neighborhood residents take an 
active interest in fighting back against violence and crime in their 
communities, their efforts pay off.
  The National Association of Town Watch is celebrating the 11th Annual 
National Night Out, a unique drug and crime prevention event, scheduled 
for Tuesday, August 2, 1994. National Night Out is designed to: First, 
heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; second, generate support 
for, and participation in, local level anticrime programs; third, 
strengthen police-community relations; and fourth, send a message that 
neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime.
  Last year, over 8,650 communities from all States turned out for this 
event. This year, the National Association of Town Watch is expecting 
nearly 26 million people throughout the country to participate in this 
important effort. In the district I am privileged to represent, the 
city of Rohnert Park, CA, will be the first city in Sonoma County to 
participate in national nightout. I commend them for their 
participation and for the city's interest in turning this event into an 
annual city function.
  This nationwide effort is run by volunteers with the assistance and 
contributions of various public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and 
businesses. In the community of Rohnert Park, local merchants are 
supporting the night out and other efforts to keep the neighborhoods 
safe by contributing merchandise and funds to the local neighborhood 
watch program. Their contributions have included a variety of needed 
materials such as flashlights, communication equipment, specially 
designed neighborhood watch jackets that are easy to recognize, food 
and drinks for volunteers, and photocopying to help get the word out 
about the event.
  The remarkable Neighborhood Watch Program in Rohnert Park's C section 
is generating active participation in our local community and promoting 
partnerships between local law enforcement and neighborhood residents. 
Similar results are being experienced throughout the Nation, as the 
active participation in national night out demonstrates. It is 
absolutely essential that government at all levels--and citizens 
throughout the Nation--lend their strong support to these efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the dedicated volunteers and 
community leaders who are protecting our facilities in Rohnert Park and 
other communities throughout the Nation, and I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting neighborhood crime watch programs and National 
Night Out.

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