[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S5271]]
  TRIBUTE TO THE PHILADELPHIA MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ASSOCIATION FOR 
                              NONVIOLENCE

 Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, our nation's children are turning 
to crime and violence at alarming rates. Perhaps more than ever before, 
young people need direction from good men and women in their 
communities who are willing to get involved. They need role models to 
help them understand that an honest life is not an easy life, but it is 
a better life. Fortunately, there are people and groups who are 
reaching out to at-risk youth. Today, I rise to commend the efforts of 
one such organization. The Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Association for Nonviolence is making a difference, one child at a 
time.
  On April 4, the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination, the 
Association for Nonviolence sponsored a ``Youth and the Culture of 
Violence'' town meeting. This event brought a cross-section of the 
community together to discuss violence prevention programs, current 
statistics on youth violence, and new ideas for training young people 
to solve their problems peacefully. Teenagers from the Philadelphia 
area joined community leaders, educators, juvenile justice officers, 
psychologists, and other concerned citizens in this important outreach 
effort.
  Almost 30 years ago, Dr. King gave his life for his dream of a non-
violent world. Through peaceful protest, he changed the heart of a 
nation. Dr. King's dream of a just, peaceful society lives on through 
the work of those who continue to teach his principle of non-violence. 
It is fitting that the organization which bears his name is reaching 
out and offering hope to a new generation.
  Mr. President, I commend the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Association for Nonviolence for addressing the issue of youth violence. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the important work this 
organization has done and in extending the Senate's best wishes for 
continued success to the men and women who have dedicated their lives 
to preventing youth violence.

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