[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF THE U.S. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of the 
efforts recently made by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries to 
mobilize resources for the purpose of curbing youth violence in this 
nation.
  Youth violence in America is, undeniably, a serious and frightening 
problem today. The recent string of highly publicized school shootings 
has made this all too clear; over the last ten months, 15 people have 
died and 42 have been wounded. This terrifying epidemic has spread 
across the country--from Mississippi to Pennsylvania to Washington. As 
a result, cities such as Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Springfield, Oregon, 
will remain burned in the public mind, forever associated with terror, 
heartbreak, and inexplicable tragedy. When faced with the all too 
horrifying reality of children killing children, teachers, even 
parents, the nation is shaken to its core, as common associations of 
youth and innocence are violently broken. Citizens are left to mourn 
and to ask the inevitable question: Why?
  But wondering why is not enough. Innovative action is required if 
future tragedies are to be prevented. And the U.S. National Commission 
on Libraries and Information Science is leading the way, having 
committed itself to just such action. The Commission is a permanent, 
independent agency of the federal government charged by Congress to 
advise the President and the Congress on national and international 
library and information policies and plans. On July 8, 1998, the 
members of the Commission unanimously approved a resolution that urges 
all of society--community officials, educators, parents, role models--
to support efforts made by libraries to assist adults, youth, and 
children in finding, through valuable learning resources and 
experiences, solutions to this outbreak of violence. The Commission's 
recognition of the important and constructive role libraries can play 
in the lives of America's children is commendable. It is commitment 
like this that may help to curb the terrifying tide of violence--both 
in the school and in the home.
  Mr. President, I ask that the Resolution of the Commission be printed 
in the Record and serve as a model to all of us and our community 
organizations as we struggle to come to terms with violence among our 
youth.
  The Resolution follows:

     U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science

       Resolution in Recognition of the Important Role of 
     Libraries in the Lives of American Children
       WHEREAS we have seen the recent outbreak of children 
     venting rage and anger by killing parents, teachers and 
     schoolmates,
       WHEREAS we know that mental development, positive 
     socialization and emotional stabilization must begin at birth 
     if children are to grow up with full success,
       WHEREAS we are concerned about the needs of tens of 
     thousands of young persons now in corrections or on probation 
     who may return to destructive behaviors if they receive no 
     redirection,
       Be it Resolved That the U.S. National Commission on 
     Libraries and Information Science urges that our society--
     officials and educators at all levels, community leaders, 
     parents and other adult caregivers, confidantes and role 
     models--utilize the vast potential of libraries and support 
     the current and potential abilities and efforts of librarians 
     in assisting adults, youth and children to seek positive 
     outcomes through wise use of information, and
       Be it Further Resolved: That, in seeking solutions through 
     better parenting and learning experiences for young children 
     and redirection for troubled older children and adolescents, 
     libraries can be a major delivery point.

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