[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 124 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  MASSACHUSETTS BEST COMMUNITY WINNERS

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize three 
outstanding Massachusetts communities, each of which has been chosen by 
America's Promise as one of the ``100 Best Communities for Young 
People'' in this Nation. The communities of Barnstable County, 
Brockton, and Cambridge, have demonstrated outstanding civic leadership 
for our children. Community leaders, businesses, teachers and 
Government officials work together in these communities to give their 
children both the tools and the opportunities they need to succeed. I 
am very proud that such exemplary communities can be found in my home 
State.
  Barnstable has an impressive record of civic involvement. Not only 
are community leaders active in the lives of their youth, but they 
encourage their children to participate in community activities. Over 
40 percent of the households in Barnstable have young people 
participating in community service, and this is, in large part, a 
reflection of the extensive programs in area high schools such as 
Junior State of America, Mentoring, Peer Leaders, and National Honor 
Society. In the Barnstable middle school communities, initiatives such 
as Schools for Success, which works with underachieving youth in the 
Barnstable Middle School to improve academic achievement and social 
skills, have evolved and flourished. The community involvement extends 
outside of the school systems as well with organizations such as 
Children's Cove, a program run by the Barnstable County district 
attorney's office, the State department of social service, and Cape Cod 
Health Care, together with other community partners to assist children 
who have experienced sexual abuse.
  In Brockton, successful community organizations work tirelessly to 
provide their children with every opportunity to learn, grow, and 
remain both physically and mentally healthy. The Brockton After Dark 
program organizes several different activities each weeknight at seven 
locations across the city, including basketball games, open swim time, 
tennis, soccer, performing arts, and open mike nights. By keeping 
vulnerable youth off the streets, the program contributed to a 
significant drop in crime. The Target Outreach initiative directs at-
risk youth to positive alternatives offered by the Boys & Girls Clubs 
by recruiting children to club activities as a diversion to gang 
activities. In its first 2 years, the program far surpassed its 
enrollment goal. In 2004-2005, 179 members of the Brockton High School 
Key Club, a partner in Brockton's Promise, completed 3,800 hours of 
community service in Brockton. Together, the mayor, the district 
attorney and the chief of police have organized successful Kids Road 
Races, youth field trips to the local Brockton Rox baseball game, and 
much more.
  The city of Cambridge has also illustrated its dedication to 
improving the quality of life for its youth and their families. In 
1997, Cambridge introduced the Agenda for Children, which consisted of 
more than 50 meetings with over 600 community members to bring the 
city's health, human services, schools, police, and library departments 
together with nonprofit providers and the Cambridge Community 
Foundation to help improve the quality of life for its youth. In 
addition, the Neighborhood Service Project provides youth with an 
opportunity to work with their peers targeting a variety of issues from 
teen pregnancy to multiculturalism. The Cambridge Prevention Coalition, 
partnering with other organizations, has developed a Peer Leadership 
Program which creates teen leaders mobilized around substance abuse 
issues. All in all, Cambridge has over 150 programs within the city 
limits attending to the needs and services of youth and their families.
  What I have given here is just a small sampling of the incredible 
programs occurring in the Commonwealth. I applaud these three cities on 
their recognition by America's Promise; encourage them to continue 
their great work and I hope other communities will follow their 
example.

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