[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK AND JUVENILE CRIME

  (Mr. SESSIONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, this is Teacher Appreciation Week, and 
these hard-working individuals deserve to be recognized for their 
outstanding effort.
  America's teachers provide an essential ingredient to the success and 
future of this country. Despite the commitment and dedication of these 
people, there is a pressing issue looming over our classrooms, and that 
is juvenile violence. Juvenile violence and crime is a constant threat 
to the safety of both students and teachers alike. In 1996, Texas 
authorities reported that of the 123,218 violent offenses committed 
statewide, 6 percent of these were committed by juveniles, and they 
resulted in the juvenile arrests of these people.
  This problem must be remedied, not only in the 5th District of Texas, 
but across America. I am supporting the juvenile crime bill, one that 
will ensure that teachers will have a safe environment to teach and the 
students will be in a safe and secure classroom, one that is free of 
fear.
  I think that we all agree that there is enough obstacles waiting for 
our children in their adult lives. I think we must make our childhood 
safe for those children and open to learning.

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