[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E914-E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SCHOOL SAFETY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 23, 2001

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, we've spent the day on a very important 
issue, our children's education. But, the whole picture is not 
complete. How about the kids who are not prepared for school or are 
disruptive in class. The kids that, at least, have run-ins with 
authorities and drop out of school, at most, end up committing violent 
crimes, sometimes against their own classmates.
  The safety of our schools continues to be a major concern as 
evidenced by a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll in which 43 percent of parents 
said they fear for their child's safety at school. One in three parents 
believes that it is ``very likely'' that a Columbine-type shooting 
could happen in their community. While the number of children hurt by 
violent crime has declined significantly in the last six years, we 
can't escape the reality of the shootings at Thurston High, Columbine 
and most recently in Santee, California.
  As many of my colleagues know, following the tragic shootings at 
Thurston High School, I introduced legislation to help combat the 
growing problem of youth violence in America. The Youth Violence 
Prevention Package is based on needs identified by my community and is 
designed to prevent youth from turning to violence by providing 
adequate crisis intervention and support services.
  After a decade of record economic growth and decreasing crime rates, 
America has the opportunity to invest aggressively in proven violence 
prevention and youth development activities to ensure that children and 
families are able to thrive. Targeted investment in prevention efforts 
that give children and families what they need to stay on track works.
  That's why I'm so disappointed by the priorities set by President 
Bush and Congress in the budget blueprint.
  --The Bush budget abandons a commitment made in past budgets to give 
one million children access to Head Start by fiscal year 2002. Under 
the Administration's own estimates, the Head Start program will fall 
84,000 students short of that goal. The Bush budget actually results in 
the elimination of Head Start services for 2,500 children.
  --In addition, the Bush budget reduces resources for existing Child 
Care and Development Block Grant projects by $200 million.
  Specifically, my legislation would increase the authorization for 
Head Start programs to $11.5 billion. And, it would create a national 
child care provider scholarship program to further the goals, of child 
care provider recruitment, training, credentialing, and retention.
  --The Bush budget cuts grants to help states investigate and prevent 
child abuse and neglect by $16 million--a 47% reduction. Furthermore, 
most other child welfare service programs are frozen at the fiscal year 
2001 level.
  --Also, general juvenile justice and delinquency prevention grants 
are cut by $44 million, gang-free schools and communities grants by $6 
million, mentoring grants by $7 million, incentive grants for local 
delinquency prevention by $25 million and drug reduction grants by $12 
million.
  On the other hand, legislation I've introduced would increase 
authorization for Community Based Family Resources and Support 
Programs, like Relief Nurseries, by $44 million. In addition, it would 
increase the authorization for Title V incentive grants for local 
delinquency programs--like, parent assistance, antitruancy, and court 
schools.
  Providing parents with the skills and treatment they need to be 
better parents is critical. A comprehensive prevention approach that 
looks at the entire family and identifies the specific needs of the 
child within that family

[[Page E915]]

can reduce the incidence of aggressive and risky behavior that often 
leads to delinquency. In 1998, there were approximately 1 million 
confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect. Research indicates that 
children who experience some form of violence in their homes are more 
likely to behave violently throughout adolescence and into adulthood. 
Any comprehensive approach to curb juvenile delinquency and promote 
positive youth development must consider the impact of domestic 
violence, abuse, and neglect on a child's development and respond to 
the interplay between these factors.
  --The Bush budget slashes discretionary spending on state and local 
law enforcement assistance by $1 billion. Specifically, funding of the 
Edward Byrne Memorial state and local law enforcement program is 
reduced.
  My package includes legislation that would expand discretionary 
grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement 
Assistance Program by $31 million. Contrary to popular perception, the 
vast majority of children involved in the juvenile justice system are 
non-violent offenders. Less than 10 percent of young people who come in 
contact with the juvenile justice system are serious, habitual, violent 
offenders. The challenge with all juvenile offenders--both violent and 
nonviolent--is to determine what leads children to make bad choices, to 
identify those children at high risk for serious delinquent or risky 
behavior, and to provide appropriate interventions. A 1998 study 
suggests that the lifetime cost associated with a child who drops out 
of high school and enters the criminal justice system can reach $1.5 
million.
  The Bush budget freezes funds for the 21st Century Community Learning 
Centers after school program at the fiscal year 2002 level.
  Furthermore, the Bush budget eliminates a $60 million grant program 
to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to operate clubhouses in public 
housing projects and high-crime areas in cooperation with local police.
  My legislation would also expand after school crime prevention 
programs by providing matching grant funds to private and public 
programs involved in effective after school juvenile crime prevention. 
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 7 million children are left 
home alone after school each week. It has been well-documented that 
after school programs help to curb delinquent behavior when it most 
frequently occurs--between the hours of 3 p.m and 6 p.m. However, these 
programs do more than just make communities safer, they also help to 
ensure positive youth development. Youths who participate in after-
school and youth development programs are less likely to use drugs, 
drink alcohol, or become sexually active, and are more likely to have 
stronger interpersonal skills, higher academic achievement, and 
healthier relationships with others. Quality after-school programs also 
have a lasting impact on children's attitudes, values, and skills.
  My Youth Violence Prevention Package is designed to prevent youth 
from turning to violence by supporting prevention efforts, crisis 
intervention and support services and limiting opportunities for 
troubled kids to obtain firearms. I ask my colleagues to support this 
legislative package and to continue efforts to provide needed funds for 
these critical programs.
  We all must work together to protect children and ensure their 
healthy development.

                          ____________________