[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING NATIONAL SAFE PLACE WEEK
Mr. CRAIG. I look forward to the U.S. Senate passing this resolution
and designating the week of March 14-20, 2004, as National Safe Place
Week. I would like to thank my colleague Senator Feinstein for her work
on this issue. I would also like to thank the other cosponsors of this
resolution: Senator Campbell, Senator Boxer, Senator Fitzgerald,
Senator Landrieu, Senator Inhofe, Senator Feingold, Senator Cochran,
Senator Johnson, Senator Lieberman, Senator Mikulski, Senator Durbin,
Senator Kohl, Senator Lincoln, Senator Shelby, and Senator Murkowski.
This action will recognize the importance of Project Safe Place and
send a message that we will keep working to protect our children. In
countless hours of selfless work, volunteers truly do make a difference
every day, and in passing this resolution, the Senate will be
applauding the tireless efforts of the thousands of dedicated
volunteers across the Nation for their many contributions to the youth
of our Nation through Project Safe Place.
Mr. President, events of the day may turn our attention overseas, but
it is essential to remember those who are fighting an ongoing battle
right here at home. This battle has been raging for generations and
consists of fighting to protect this Nation's most valuable resource:
our children. Young people are the future of this Nation; they need to
be both valued and protected. Sadly, however, as my colleagues know,
this precious resource is threatened daily.
I come to the Senate floor today to talk about a tremendous
initiative between the public and private sector that has been reaching
out to youth for over twenty years. Project Safe Place is a program
that was developed to assist our Nation's youth and families in crisis.
This partnership creates a network of private businesses trained to
refer youth in need to the local service providers who can help them.
Those businesses display a Safe Place sign so that people can easily
recognize a ``safe place'' for them to go to receive help.
The goal of National Safe Place Week is to recognize the thousands of
individuals who work to make Project Safe Place a reality. From trained
volunteers to seasoned professionals, these dedicated individuals are
working together with the resources in their local communities and
through their ties across the Nation to serve young people. Because of
Project Safe Place, this all happens under a well-known symbol of
safety for in-crisis youth.
Project Safe Place is a simple program to implement in any local
community, and it works. Young people are more likely to seek help in
locations that are familiar and non-threatening to them. By creating a
network of Safe Places across the Nation, all youth will have access to
needed help, counseling, or a safe place to stay. However, though the
program has already been established in 42 States, there are still too
many communities that don't know about this valuable youth resource.
If your State does not already have a Safe Place organization, please
consider facilitating this worthwhile resource so that young people who
are abused, neglected, or whose futures are jeopardized by physical or
emotional trauma will have access to immediate help and safety in your
community. To create more Project Safe Place sites in Idaho, the staff
in several of my State offices have completed the training to make them
Safe Place sites, and now have the skills and ability to assist
troubled youth. In the coming years, Project Safe Place hopes that
every child in America will have the opportunity to connect with
someone who can provide immediate help by easily recognizing the Safe
Place sign.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this resolution
be printed at this point in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
(S. Res. 309)
Whereas today's youth are vital to the preservation of our
country and will be the future bearers of the bright torch of
democracy;
Whereas youth need a safe haven from various negative
influences such as child abuse, substance abuse and crime,
and they need to have resources readily available to assist
them when faced with circumstances that compromise their
safety;
Whereas the United States needs increased numbers of
community volunteers acting as positive influences on the
Nation's youth;
Whereas the Safe Place program is committed to protecting
our Nation's most valuable asset, our youth, by offering
short term ``safe places'' at neighborhood locations where
trained volunteers are available to counsel and advise youth
seeking assistance and guidance;
Whereas the Safe Place program combines the efforts of the
private sector and non-profit organizations uniting to reach
youth in the early stages of crisis;
Whereas the Safe Place program provides a direct way to
assist programs in meeting performance standards relative to
outreach and community relations, as set forth in the Federal
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act guidelines;
Whereas the Safe Place placard displayed at businesses
within communities stands as a beacon of safety and refuge to
at-risk youth;
Whereas more than 700 communities in 42 states and more
than 14,000 locations have established Safe Place programs;
Whereas more than 68,000 young people have gone to Safe
Place locations to get help when faced with crisis
situations;
Whereas through the efforts of Safe Place coordinators
across the country each year more than one-half million
students learn that Safe Place is a resource if abusive or
neglectful situations exists;
Whereas increased awareness of the program's existence will
encourage communities to establish Safe Places for the
Nation's youth throughout the country: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) proclaims the week of March 14 through March 20, 2004
as ``National Safe Place Week'' and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling upon the people of the United States and interested
groups to promote awareness of and volunteer involvement in
the Safe Place programs, and to observe the week with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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