[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5371-S5372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SENATE RESOLUTION 96--PROCLAIMING NATIONAL SAFE PLACE WEEK

  Mr. CRAIG submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 96

       Whereas today's youth are vital to the preservation of our 
     country and will be the future bearers of the bright torch of 
     democracy; and
       Whereas youth need a safe haven from various negative 
     influences such as child abuse, substance abuse and crime, 
     and they need to have resources readily available to assist 
     them when faced with circumstances that compromise their 
     safety; and
       Whereas the United States needs increased numbers of 
     community volunteers acting as positive influences on the 
     nation's youth; and
       Whereas the Safe Place program is committed to protecting 
     our nation's most valuable asset, our youth, by offering 
     short term ``safe places'' at neighborhood locations where 
     more than 2,500 trained volunteers are available to counsel 
     and advise youth seeking assistance and guidance; and
       Whereas Safe Place combines the efforts of the private 
     sector and non-profit organizations uniting to reach youth in 
     the early stages of crisis; and
       Whereas Safe Place provides a direct means to assist 
     programs in meeting performance standards relative to 
     outreach/community relations, as set forth in the federal 
     runaway and homeless youth guidelines; and

[[Page S5372]]

       Whereas the Safe Place placard displayed at businesses 
     within communities stands as a beacon of safety and refuge to 
     at-risk youth; and
       Whereas currently 34 states and more than 6,000 business 
     locations have established Safe Place programs; and
       Whereas increased awareness of the program's existence will 
     encourage communities to establish Safe Places for the 
     nation's youth throughout the country: Now, therefore, be it;
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) Proclaims the week of March 15 through March 21, 1998, 
     as ``National Safe Place Week''; and
       (2) Requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to promote awareness of and volunteer involvement in 
     the Safe Place organization, and to observe the week with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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