[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H7776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H7776]]
     REQUESTING THAT THE PRESIDENT FOCUS APPROPRIATE ATTENTION ON 
 NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY POLICING, AND COORDINATE 
      CERTAIN FEDERAL EFFORTS TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in requesting 
that the President focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime 
prevention and community policing, and coordinate certain Federal 
efforts to participate in National Night Out, which occurs the first 
Tuesday of August each year, including by supporting local efforts and 
community watch groups and by supporting local officials, to promote 
community safety and help provide homeland security. This important 
resolution will work to make America a safer place by recognizing the 
importance of community policing and crime prevention.
  National Night Out, ``America's Night Out Against Crime,'' is a 
program designed to heighten crime prevention and drug prevention 
awareness; generate support for, and participation in, anti-crime 
programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community 
relations; and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are 
organized and fighting back. This is an opportunity to bring citizens, 
law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood 
organizations and local officials together to fight crime where we 
live. Last year, over 35 million people celebrated the National Night 
Out with activities such as traditional ``lights on'' and front porch 
vigils, block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth programs, and 
visits from local police and sheriff departments. This event is 
celebrating its 25th anniversary on Tuesday, August 5, 2008.
  National Night Out supports the Department of Homeland Security's 
Ready campaign by handing out materials and educating and empowering 
the public on how to prepare for, and respond to, potential terrorist 
attacks or other emergencies. Additionally, this event supports the 
National Child Identification Program, a joint partnership between the 
American Football Coaches Association and the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, to provide identification kits to parents to help locate 
missing children. The National Sheriffs Association, the United States 
Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities have all 
officially expressed support for National Night Out.
  Neighborhood crime watch groups, such as National Night Out, 
contribute to the Nation's war on drugs by helping to prevent 
communities from becoming markets for drug dealers. They play an 
integral role in combating domestic terrorism by increasing 
vigilance and awareness and encouraging citizen participation in 
community safety and homeland security. Additionally, community-based 
programs involving law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, 
parents, and local communities work effectively to reduce school 
violence and crime and promote the safety of children.

  The neighborhoods we once knew as places of peace and harmony are now 
engaged in the fight against the rising tide of crime and violence. One 
of the saddest results of this increasing crime is that neighbors fear 
for their safety and become alienated from one another. Through this 
National Night Out celebration, people in the neighborhood are brought 
closer together, overcoming the atmosphere of fear and mistrust that 
comes with changing times. National Night Out gives people a sense of 
neighborhood pride and positive community spirit.
  This is why I strongly support the goals and ideals of National Night 
Out and request that the President issue a proclamation calling on the 
people of the United States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, 
activities, and programs to demonstrate support for National Night Out; 
focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention, community 
policing, and reduction of school crime by delivering speeches, 
convening meetings, and directing the Administration to make crime 
reduction an important priority; and coordinate the efforts of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the USA Freedom Corps, the Citizen 
Corps, the National Senior Service Corps, and AmeriCorps to participate 
in National Night Out by supporting local efforts and neighborhood 
watches and by supporting local officials, including law enforcement 
personnel, to provide homeland security and combat terrorism in the 
United States. I urge my colleagues to support the National Night Out, 
which effectively works to protect Americans from crime across the 
nation.

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