[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             YOUTH VIOLENCE

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                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, we are at a critical juncture in 
our nation as we attempt to find solutions to the growing scourge of 
youth violence. In October of this year a student shot four others and 
eventually himself at SuccessTech Academy in my congressional district 
in Cleveland. Earlier this year Seung-Hui Cho, a Virginia Tech student 
who in April killed 32 students and faculty before shooting himself to 
death. And most recently, a teenager with an assault rifle opens fire 
on holiday shoppers in a department store in middle America.
  Over the past ten years more than 60 shooting incidents have occurred 
in our nation's schools. These incidents have occurred all over the 
country. While some thought Columbine was an aberration, it has become 
clear that this is a serious and growing problem in our country that 
must be addressed.
  It is important to point out that in the late 80's and early 90's 
when overall crime was going down, youth and young adult arrest rates 
were increasing.
  We must ask ourselves why. What makes a 14-year old feel so 
disengaged from society that he wants to shoot others and himself? When 
do we stop allowing the broad distribution of firearms under cover of 
the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms? When do we start to recognize 
that youth with mental illnesses must be treated as at-risk? Where is 
the breakdown in the moral fabric that used to hold our society 
together?
  America is looking to Congress to come up with comprehensive 
solutions. We must begin to deal with this problem on three levels: in 
the community, within our families and on an individual level.
  As adults, we must take a greater interest in the lives of our 
children. When I was a child, not only were my parents looking out for 
me, but the entire neighborhood served as my surrogate mothers and 
fathers. If I was out in the street doing something I wasn't supposed 
to, not only would I get chastised by my parents, but everyone in the 
community would get on my case. At the time it may have seemed harsh, 
but I now realize it was done out of love.
  We must take the same approach with our children today. Many of the 
children who committed these heinous acts showed signs of emotional 
disturbance prior to the incident. I have to wonder if we as adults and 
even their peers in school were paying closer attention, could these 
tragedies have been prevented.
  It is time for us as members of Congress to take a serious look at 
this issue and determine how we can provide support to parents, 
teachers and our communities as a whole in ending the rampant youth 
violence that has become so prevalent in our society.

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