[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14175-S14176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HUGS NOT BULLETS CAMPAIGN 2006

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to commend an outstanding 
group of young people in Detroit, MI, for their efforts to reduce gun 
violence as part of the Neighborhood Service Organization's Youth 
Initiatives Project. Their dedication to this admirable cause is 
certainly worthy of our recognition and appreciation.
  The Youth Initiatives Project was created in 1999 to address growing 
community issues including violence and substance abuse in Detroit. For 
6 years, students, community organizations, and local police have been 
involved in a coordinated effort to accomplish the goals of the 
project. Many of these goals are centered on the need to reduce gun 
violence.
  Hundreds of Detroit teenagers have been involved in the Youth 
Initiatives Project through activities such as afterschool programs to 
reduce gun violence, gun buybacks, anti-violence rallies, and gun 
safety workshops. As part of these activities, the Youth Initiatives 
Project has been responsible in the last 3 years for handing out more 
than 5,000 free trigger locks to Detroit gun owners.
  The Youth Initiatives Project's ``Hugs Not Bullets'' campaign for 
2005 built upon their overall theme of reducing gun violence, while 
also putting a specific focus on the use of firearms during the 
celebration of the New Year's holiday. In addition to hosting a number 
of public forums and rallies, the Hugs Not Bullets campaign used 
several 4-foot by 8-foot cards to collect signatures of those who 
pledge not to engage in gun violence. To date, more than 3,000 
Detroiters have signed these cards. These cards serve as a powerful 
symbol of the community's determination to fight gun violence.
  For 2006, the Youth Initiatives Project plans to expand the Hugs Not 
Bullets campaign into a comprehensive grass roots and media campaign 
against gun violence. This year, more than 200 Youth Initiatives 
Project participants will reach out to their peers by visiting 
community centers, schools, and churches, as well as social clubs and 
events widely attended by other teenagers. In addition, the Hugs Not 
Bullets campaign will amplify its antigun violence message through 
public service announcements and appearances on local television and 
radio. This is an ambitious next step, which will build upon the 
previous success of the campaign.

[[Page S14176]]

  It is important to also recognize the contributions these young 
people are making in their communities outside of their official 
participation in the Youth Initiatives Project. The Youth Initiatives 
Project gives young people valuable knowledge and experience, thereby 
enabling them to push for change in their own neighborhoods and 
communities on a daily basis. For the rest of their lives, these 
teenagers will be able to draw on the communications and conflict 
resolution skills they have gained through the Youth Initiatives 
Project to make a difference in their own lives and those around them.
  I know my colleagues will join me in thanking the participants, 
organizers, and supporters of the Youth Initiatives Project for their 
outstanding dedication to the worthwhile goal of reducing gun violence. 
This is a program which can serve as an appropriate model to be 
followed in many cities across the Nation. I hope my colleagues will 
also join me in working to pass commonsense gun safety legislation to 
more adequately support their efforts.

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