[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 77 (Monday, June 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SCHOOL SAFETY AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, immediately following the 
tragedy that occurred at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, 
Senator Wyden and I went to the floor of the Senate to express our 
great sadness and outrage that a community in our state would be 
subject to such an act of violence. Perhaps what is equally disturbing, 
is the fact that Oregon is not alone. From Jonesboro to Springfield, 
the virus of school violence has been indiscriminate.
  While we will never forget these tragic events, it is time for us to 
turn our grief and our anger into action. I believe it is our 
responsibility as legislators, governors, school officials, law 
enforcement, parents and students to work together to determine the 
sources and solutions to this complex problem.
  To address this issue, Senator Wyden and I have introduced 
legislation, S. 2169, to encourage states to require a holding period 
for any student who brings a gun to school. If states pass a law 
requiring the 72-hour detainment of a student who is in possession, or 
has been in possession, of a firearm at school, they will receive a 25 
percent increase in funding for juvenile violence prevention and 
intervention programs.
  As we have learned from recent events, students who bring guns to 
school are suspended temporarily because communities often lack the 
personnel and resources to detain them in juvenile justice settings. By 
providing states that pass laws requiring detainment an increase in 
funding for prevention programs, schools will have additional resources 
to address the growing severity of violence and juvenile delinquency. 
States may use such additional funds for prevention and intervention 
programs that include professional counseling and detention in local 
juvenile justice centers.
  Mr. President, it has been said that ``the foundation of every state 
is the education of its youth.'' If we do not fulfill our promise of 
providing a strong and safe foundation for our students, education will 
not be possible. I believe this legislation is an important step in 
building a strong foundation, and I encourage my colleagues to join 
Senator Wyden and me in cosponsoring S. 2169.

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