[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PACKAGE

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation today 
to help combat the growing problem of youth violence in America. I 
began this effort last year in response to the needs identified 
following shooting at Thurston High School, in my hometown of 
Springfield, Oregon.
  This legislation is designed to prevent youths from turning to 
violence by providing adequate crisis intervention and support services 
and to limit opportunities for troubled kids to obtain firearms. 
Politicians talk a lot about helping kids, but when it comes to putting 
money on the table, programs that invest in our children continue to go 
underfunded. We must do better, or we will continue to see tragedies 
like those in Littleton, Springfield, Jonesboro, Edinboro, West 
Paducah, and Pearl. My package will boost funding for prevention and 
intervention programs that have a proven track record for helping at-
risk kids and families in crisis.
  Following the Thurston shootings, community leaders, educators, law 
enforcement and medical professionals as well as Thurston students and 
their families worked to develop an action plan identifying several 
grant programs that address specific needs in our communities. However, 
to develop new initiatives using these grants, or to expand existing 
programs, an increase in overall funding is essential. This package 
would provide this much needed funding for services to foster strong 
and healthy children, families and communities.
  The causes of youth violence are extremely complex and there is no 
panacea. This package doesn't include everything communities may need, 
but it certainly addresses some of the key concerns our community has 
identified.
  Youth Violence Prevention Act:
  Increases funding for early childhood intervention programs such as 
Head Start.
  Increases funding for juvenile justice delinquency prevention 
programs including court schools.
  Increases funding for child abuse prevention programs focusing on 
community-based family preservation and crisis intervention programs.
  Expands the National Guard's successful Youth Challenge program for 
troubled high school dropouts.
  Provides incentive grants for states to implement a 72-hour hold for 
juveniles caught with a firearm on school grounds.
  Authorizes expansion of the instant criminal background check system 
so a person who sells a firearm but is not a licensed dealer can check 
to see if a prospective purchaser is eligible to purchase a firearm.
  Provides for a tax credit of up to $250 for the purchase of safe 
storage devices for firearms.
  Requires manufacturers to provide trigger locks for all purchases of 
new firearms.
  Requires safe storage of firearms.

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