[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 STATEMENTS OF AUGUSTO RODRIQUEZ AND MICHELLE EDWARDS, BOARD OF YOUNG 
                  POLICE COMMISSIONERS, NEW HAVEN, CT

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, yesterday, I had the extreme pleasure of 
meeting with Augusto and Michelle, who are in town attending the 
National Youth Violence Conference. They had compelling stories to tell 
about how violence has affected their young lives. Their experiences 
put a face on the terror facing so many young people in our Nation--a 
terror that just a generation ago would have been impossible to imagine 
in our country.
  But their stories are also laced with hope for what can be done to 
end the carnage. And, this is why I felt it was so important to include 
their statements in the Record. Both Augusto and Michelle are officers 
of the Board in New Haven. This unique program brings young people and 
their schools together with the New Haven police department to try and 
do something to stop the violence.
  The program has worked wonders for the young people, police and 
citizens of that city and is exactly the type of program that could be 
expanded if we would just pass the crime bill. These kids understand 
the simple truth that we will never stop crime in this Nation until we 
give our kids some positive alternatives to the streets. So, I 
encourage any of my colleagues who think that prevention programs 
should not be a part of tough crimefighting legislation to read the 
words of Michelle and Augusto. Their stories illustrate the wisdom of 
this approach better than any of the rhetoric we hear in this town. Mr. 
President, I ask unanimous consent that the enclosed statements of 
Augusto Rodriquez and Michelle Edwards from New Haven, CT be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the statements were ordered to be printed 
in the Record, as follows:

              Speech to National Youth Violence Conference

                         (By Augusto Rodriguez)

       Good morning! My name is Augusto Rodriguez. I am the proud 
     President of the Board of Young Adult Police Commissioners. 
     On behalf of the city of New Haven and the thousands of youth 
     who reside in my city I wish to compliment you for providing 
     us with a chance to face reality. I feel that this National 
     Conference provides us with a necessary opportunity to voice 
     our opinion on the fatal issue of youth and violence, which 
     is taking away my friends and family.
       I have an investment in New Haven as a resident and a 
     senior at Career High School. I come from a single parent 
     family who survives on a fixed income. My role has been that 
     of a surrogate father to a good mother and family. The 
     demands have added to my responsibilities while making me 
     stronger.
       Career High School has a valuable asset, its principal Mr. 
     Williams. He demonstrates a keen interest in the student body 
     as well as being approachable, friendly and very helpful. The 
     student population is about 400. The most violent act during 
     my junior year was when one female struck another in the face 
     over what she said. Career High does not represent anywhere 
     near the amount of violence that occurs in our city.
       In the 1980 census, New Haven was ranked the 7th poorest 
     city in the nation among cities with more than 100,000 
     people. Twenty-eight percent of New Haven's children under 
     the age 18 live below the nation's poverty level. However, 
     African Americans and Hispanics account for 41% of those 
     living in poverty. While the 1990 Census indicates that New 
     Haven ranks 39th now, we still continue to suffer the blight 
     of being in dire need of economic growth.
       In just the last year I have seen what this adds up to.
       On my way to the store I saw a car drive by my brother and 
     his 21 year old friend. I was half a block away when 2 
     windows rolled down. Six or seven shots where fired. The 
     friend was hit in the left abdominal region and the right 
     thoracic area. The friend hid behind a tree. He looked around 
     and was shot again. This time he collapsed. My brother and I 
     ran to him. When I got there, I heard the friend say, ``It 
     burns! It burns! Forget it I'm gone.'' He then started 
     gasping for air. Police showed up and dispersed the large 
     crowd. The paramedics ripped open his clothes and placed him 
     on a stretcher. He died in the ambulance.
       I was at a club with a group of friends. When I saw a 
     female about 27 pull out a switch blade. She slashed my 
     friend from the ear to the top of her lip. Her whole 
     epidermis was hanging out. She said, ``My face is shrinking. 
     It burns.'' She was so beautiful at 21. But no longer.
       I was visiting Fair Haven Middle School and saw three 8th 
     graders beating up a 7th grader outside. One of the 8th 
     graders had a bottle in his hand and struck the 7th grader in 
     the head. He fell to the ground, and all 3 began kicking him. 
     The school security guard grabbed two of them. the 7th grader 
     ended up with 7 stitches.
       During my sophomore year Chief Pastore visited my high 
     school. My peers and I listened to the Chief's message about 
     empowerment of youth. Before the Chief's departure he stated, 
     ``If you have any questions or concerns please fell free to 
     call me.''
       At a drug raid next door, a narc pushed my younger brother 
     and was disrespectful to him. I was really angry. This was 
     not the message the Chief gave. I made an appointment to see 
     him. My brother, the Chief, the narc and the youth 
     coordinator were there. We all had a chance to talk and make 
     our point. At the end of a good meeting my brother and the 
     narc apologized and shook hands. They gave their word they 
     would be more respectful. The Chief suggested I speak with 
     the youth coordinator Detective Morrissey. We talked about 
     the Board of Youth Adult Police Commissioners. He gave me 
     information. I called him back. I said I was interested in 
     joining. I now know that the Board was not just a front, but 
     a real beginning. That was over a year ago.
       Our Board is looking forward to interviewing the 60 
     community police recruits who will be coming on the next 
     year. The Crime Bill, which I hope passes soon will help us 
     with more police and drug/alcohol prevention and treatment. 
     Over 80 community policy officers have been interviewed 
     already by other commissioners. Now it's our turn. I am 
     convinced this helps us bridge the gap between policy and 
     youth. Lasting friendships have been made with commissioners 
     and police.
       My first committee assignment on the Board was planning the 
     Holiday Jam. The Board met with our Chief to bring youth 
     together for fun and a fund-raiser. We decided on the 
     Thanksgiving weekend dance. I and other commissioners visited 
     Hospice and meet with the President. The decision was made. 
     Youth our age are dying right now from AIDS. Hospice allows 
     them to die with dignity. Over 300 students from all over New 
     Haven showed up paying $3 each. Three stores donated prizes 
     to the dance contest. No cursing, no problems and a lot of 
     respect. The only complaint afterwards was that people wanted 
     to come but didn't know about it. We raised $800 and are 
     planning the next dance.
       The Board is composed of a President, Vice President, 
     Secretary, Treasurer and 18 members. We are fully chartered 
     and legitimate body of elected and appointed young people, 
     representing the full cross section of the population in New 
     Haven. Our Board meetings are run by Robert's Rules of Order.
       Special committees are set up when needed. Six 
     commissioners are elected from their respective high-schools. 
     Sixteen others must submit a resume and be recommended by a 
     commissioner. The Board then votes. All are sworn in by the 
     Mayor.
       We are serious about the quality of life. We know time has 
     been wasted. Excuses are not the answer. You've have been 
     leaving us out of this war far too long, that's why we're 
     losing it. Only together can be win. Please don't ignore the 
     facts.
       Nick Pastore is more than a Chief of Police. He is our 
     friend. He listens and works with us when it counts. Together 
     we are improving life in New Haven for everyone. We are ready 
     to spread the solution and are available.
       Thank you for allowing our group to be heard today. It is 
     commonly assumed that adults fail to listen to our age group. 
     Your presence here has proven that assumption to be 
     incorrect. We are a prime example that police and youth can 
     work together and make a difference.
       I would now like to introduce our Vice President, Michelle 
     Edwards.
                                                Augusto Rodriquez,
                                                        President.
                                  ____


              Speech to National Youth Violence Conference

                         (By Michelle Edwards)

       Good morning! My name is Michelle Edwards and I am the Vice 
     President of the Board of Young Adult Police Commissioners, 
     and on behalf of the Board I want to thank you for inviting 
     us to this very prestigious conference. Which we all know is 
     addressing the urgent issue of youth and violence. The 
     commissioners appreciate the respect you have shown the youth 
     of this nation by hosting this important conference.
       I am a resident of New Haven, CT. My father is a retired 
     Msgt. of the United States Air Force. My mother works at 
     American Linen. I am a 16-year-old junior at Wilbur Cross 
     High School. There I am a member of the National Honor 
     Society and captain of the volleyball team. I also have a 
     part-time job at a local Shell gas station.
       A positive aspect of Cross High School is it's diversity--
     with 17% Caucasian, 40% Latino, 40% African American, and 3% 
     Asian American and other nationalities. Cross also has a 
     number of dedicated teachers who provide students with a 
     worthwhile education. However, in the 2 years of attending 
     Cross, I have witnessed or have had direct knowledge of 
     violent acts by students which has ultimately disrupted and 
     destroyed social and educational opportunities. On one 
     occasion, we had 4 students attack one of our assistant 
     principals and rob him of a mere $18. Another time a 17-year-
     old young man who had a gun in his possession accidently shot 
     himself during gym class. I remember sitting in my social 
     development class and hearing chaotic screams and yells of 
     ``Oh my God,'' ``He has a gun!'' Within an hour, we had 4 
     television crews, 2 radio stations plus local newspapers 
     ready to cover the incident. Unfortunately, during the 
     National Honor Society Induction, a news crew could not be 
     found. Two days before the final closure of school, 3 female 
     students viciously attacked another female student with a 
     mule bone, which they confiscated from a biology class, 
     sending the victim to the emergency room. This incident was 
     provoked because one of the 3 female students didn't like the 
     other student's cousin. These random acts of violence have 
     become so frequent that I and my classmates have become 
     conditioned to expect them and accept them as normal 
     behavior. Good teachers close and lock their doors in fear 
     and continue on with their daily lesson plans. For the adults 
     who are here today, I want you to think back on your 
     highschool days. Did you ever fear the gun or knife in your 
     school? We do. If our roles were reversed and I were your 
     parent I wouldn't let you go through this. Too many innocent 
     people are being hurt. We need real action and genuine help 
     now!
       I was recommended and elected by the students of Cross to 
     represent our school on the Board of Young Adult Police 
     Commissioners. At first I was quite critical of the Board. I 
     thought that the Board was a front for teenagers to just hang 
     out. Now that I am a member of the Board and aware of it's 
     accomplishments, I realize that I was mistaken. I understand 
     that my fellow peers want to have a say in the decision 
     making process. Being a Young Adult Police Commissioner makes 
     this possible.
       An example of this is the Board's Standing Committee on 
     Residential Drug Treatment for Adolescents, which was formed 
     in November of 1991. It's main purpose is to try to educate, 
     prevent and treat drug abuse among the youth in New Haven. 
     This committee conducted research and discovered that there 
     were only 110 beds available in the entire state of CT. 
     However, only 20 beds were available for non-insured (keep in 
     mind that this is the ENTIRE state!). Our Standing Committee 
     also discovered that the cost of placing someone in jail for 
     a year, approximately $42,000 was far more expensive than 
     putting someone through Residential Drug Treatment which is 
     approximately $24,000. That's when the committee took action 
     to get more treatment beds for adolescents. Two thousand 
     students signed a petition to encourage more beds and we 
     presented it to the General Assembly's Appropriations 
     Committee. We also spoke in front of the Appropriations 
     Committee asking for their help. Then we learned after seeing 
     the Annual Budget that no more beds would be added. Instead 
     that 10 beds would be taken away from the youth population 
     creating more victims. We then decided to call Mr. Dyson, the 
     co-chairperson for the Appropriations Committee, to ask for 
     his personal help. We were successful in saving the 10 beds. 
     Our question is how long does the line of victims have to get 
     before funding for more treatment beds are available?
       Since the Board's founding we have supported and continued 
     to encourage Residential Drug Treatment. Glenn Johnson, a 
     student at Amhurst, and also the first chairman of the 
     Residential Drug Treatment Committee and the president of our 
     Alumnae Association, along with 3 other commissioners, met 
     with four recovering drug addicts in November of 1991. They 
     discussed the reasons for needing treatment; it had to do 
     with life or death. Recently former Vice President Melissa 
     Annunziata and I attended a graduation of recovered addicts 
     in Newtown CT (which is about an hour from New Haven). What 
     we saw were 9 recovered addicts who went through with 
     Residential Drug Treatment, received their diplomas and in 
     turn changed their lifestyle. The Board feels that 
     Residential Drug Treatment is the best transition from a 
     negative environment into a positive atmosphere.
       Recently, we have hired two consultants from Massachusetts 
     to assist us with needs assessment, strategy planning, 
     documentation and fundraising. We wrote a proposal to CSAP 
     (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention) in September of 1993. 
     We received 16 resumes from as far as California. We then 
     narrowed our selection down to New England consultants only, 
     We interviewed 3 consultants at the New Haven Police 
     Department and hired Dan Jaffe and Hal Phillips. Since then 
     we have organized two all day Sunday meetings. During these 
     meetings we discussed ways to improve the Board's standing 
     with the community, national linkages, fundraising, and 
     community and police relations. Our main purpose of working 
     with these consultants is to find strategies to achieve these 
     goals.
       President Augusto Rodriquez, Secretary Maya Castellon, 
     Treasurer Chris Greene and I will be available until 
     Wednesday to discuss real youth inclusion and empowerment 
     within our system of government. Please feel free to come to 
     me or any of the other officers. Once again, I want to thank 
     those who worked so hard to put this conference together for 
     this rare opportunity to be listened to intimately from a 
     distance. I hope our words turn into action soon. We want to 
     help that happen. Thank you.
                                 Michelle Edwards, Vice President.
                                  

                          ____________________