[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 284--EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT FOR ``NATIONAL NIGHT 
    OUT'' AND REQUESTING THAT THE PRESIDENT MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME 
 PREVENTION COMMUNITY POLICING AND REDUCTION OF SCHOOL CRIME IMPORTANT 
                   PRIORITIES OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

  Mr. BIDEN (for himself and Mr. Specter) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                              S. Res. 284

       Whereas neighborhood crime is a continuing concern of the 
     American people;
       Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime and terrorism 
     requires the cooperation of community residents, neighborhood 
     crime watch organizations, schools, community policing 
     groups, and other law enforcement officials;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations are 
     effective in promoting awareness about, and the participation 
     of volunteers in, crime prevention activities at the local 
     level;
       Whereas the vigilance of neighborhood crime watch 
     organizations creates safer communities and discourages drug 
     dealers from operating in the communities monitored by those 
     organizations;
       Whereas the American people are concerned about violence 
     and crime in schools, especially about incidents that result 
     in fatalities at school, and are seeking methods to prevent 
     such violence and crime;
       Whereas community-based programs involving law enforcement 
     personnel, school administrators, teachers, parents, and 
     local communities are effective in reducing violence and 
     crime in schools;
       Whereas the Federal Government has made efforts to prevent 
     neighborhood crime, including supporting community policing 
     programs;
       Whereas the Attorney General has called Federal efforts to 
     support community policing a ``miraculous sort of success'';
       Whereas the Administration has supported neighborhood watch 
     programs through the establishment of the Citizen Corps;
       Whereas on August 6, 2002, people across America will take 
     part in National Night Out, an event that highlights the 
     importance of community participation in crime prevention 
     efforts;
       Whereas on National Night Out participants will light up 
     their homes and neighborhoods between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 
     p.m. on that date, and spend that time outside with their 
     neighbors; and
       Whereas schools that turn their lights on from 7:00 p.m. to 
     10:00 p.m. on August 6, 2002, send a positive message to the 
     participants of National Night Out and show their commitment 
     to reducing crime and violence in schools: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals of National Night Out;
       (2) recognizes that the fight against neighborhood crime 
     and terrorism requires individuals, neighborhood crime watch 
     organizations, schools, and community policing groups and 
     other law enforcement officials to work together;
       (3) encourages neighborhood residents, crime watch 
     organizations, and schools to participate in National Night 
     Out activities on August 6, 2002, between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 
     p.m.; and
       (4) requests that the President--
       (A) issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
     United States to participate in National Night Out with 
     appropriate activities; and
       (B) make neighborhood crime prevention, community policing, 
     and reduction of school crime important priorities of the 
     Administration.
  Mr. BIDEN. Madam President, today I rise to submit a resolution, 
along with Senator Specter, supporting ``National Night Out,'' a 
program at the forefront of the Nation's effort to combat crime and 
terrorism. On August 6 of this year, over 33 million people in 9,700 
communities from all 50 States will participate in the 19th Annual 
National Night Out. These volunteers greet their neighbors, meet with 
local police, and participate in block parties and parades, all to 
encourage citizens to become active caretakers of their communities. 
This resolution would salute and encourage those efforts.
  This past year has seen our nation both horrified by unthinkable 
tragedy, and driven to ensure that nothing so terrible ever happens 
again. Unfortunately, we can't have a police officer protecting us on 
every block, during every minute, of everyday. And while many of us in 
the Congress have worked for years to enhance the tools and resources 
available to law enforcement, few things are more valuable in our 
ongoing war against terrorism and crime than the eyes and ears of 
conscientious citizens. A 1995 study by the National Institute of 
Justice shows that crime rates are 40 percent lower, on average, in 
communities with high mutual trust among neighbors. By encouraging 
members of each community to get to know one another, be familiar with 
their block, and work with local law enforcement officials to spot and 
address suspicious situations, National Night Out helps all of us sleep 
more soundly.
  Today, with terrorists seeking to strike our homeland, our efforts to 
keep America's streets safe are more crucial than ever. Working side by 
side with local law enforcement, neighborhood crime watch groups have 
been, and will continue to be an invaluable resource. In fact, a 
Justice Department survey indicates that 90 percent of law enforcement 
officers believe National Night Out enhances their policing programs. 
Every year, National Night Out provides Americans with a great 
opportunity to meet their neighbors, show their patriotism, and keep 
their streets safe. I hope my colleagues will join Senator Specter and 
me in thanking them for making a difference, one doorstep at a time.

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