[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 82 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ESTABLISH PROGRAM TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUTH

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as a Nation we can no longer sit idly by 
and watch while the violence in our schools continues to rise. That is 
why I will be holding a town forum on school violence in my district on 
July 7th, 1998.
  Recently, acts of school violence have taken place all across this 
country, such as the nationally publicized incidents in Arkansas, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania and Oregon. Our children's lives and their promising 
future are at stake.
  It is important to realize that this battle will not be won from 
Washington, but from the streets, neighborhoods and schools in the 
communities where our children live.
  I encourage all Members to hold a town forum on school violence in 
their districts, and establish a program that supports and encourages 
local communities to create a comprehensive, long-term plan that will 
reduce violence and substance abuse among our youth.
  This is the only way we are going to get to save our children from a 
growing deadly cycle of drugs and violence in our schools and 
communities.

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