[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H687-H688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL URBAN CRIMES AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 227) supporting the 
goals and ideals of National Urban Crimes Awareness Week, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 227

       Whereas National Urban Crimes Awareness Week will be 
     celebrated the second week in February 2010;
       Whereas 48,430 violent crimes occurred in New York City in 
     2008, compared to 28,941 in non-New York City counties in the 
     State of New York;
       Whereas an estimated 1,382,012 violent crimes occurred 
     nationwide in 2008;
       Whereas over 6,000,000 people were victims of crime in 
     2008;
       Whereas according to the 2008 National Crime Victimization 
     Survey, African-Americans experienced higher rates than 
     Whites of every violent crime except simple assault;
       Whereas acts of violence and crime cause pain and 
     disruption that can have lasting effects;
       Whereas the number of crimes can be reduced if community 
     members are taught crime prevention techniques and become 
     more involved in crime prevention activities;
       Whereas neighborhood crime contributes to community neglect 
     and disintegration; and
       Whereas numerous studies demonstrate that evidence-based 
     prevention and intervention programs can reduce delinquency 
     and serious juvenile crime: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That--
       (1) it is the sense of Congress that--
       (A) National Urban Crimes Awareness Week provides a special 
     opportunity to educate the people of the United States about 
     urban violence and to take steps to encourage the prevention 
     of urban violence, provide assistance, and support to crime 
     victims;
       (B) it is appropriate to properly acknowledge the more than 
     209,000 men and women who have been victims of urban violence 
     in the United States each year, and to commend the efforts of 
     survivors, volunteers, and professionals who work to prevent 
     urban violence;
       (C) national and community organizations and private sector 
     supporters should be recognized and applauded for their work 
     in promoting awareness about urban violent crimes, providing 
     information and treatment to victims, families, and 
     survivors, and increasing the number of successful 
     prosecutions of its perpetrators;
       (D) public safety, law enforcement, and health 
     professionals should be recognized and applauded for their 
     hard work and innovative strategies to increase the 
     percentage of violent urban crime cases that result in the 
     prosecution and incarceration of the offenders; and
       (E) victim advocates and criminal justice professionals 
     should be recognized, applauded, and encouraged for their 
     work to establish effective programs as alternatives to 
     incarceration, re-entry interventions for offenders who are 
     completing sentences, and rehabilitation programs for 
     offenders and victims alike; and
       (2) Congress strongly recommends that national and 
     community organizations, businesses in the private sector, 
     colleges and universities, and the media--
       (A) promote, through education and prevention measures, 
     awareness of violent urban crimes and strategies to decrease 
     the incidence of these crimes; and
       (B) support the goals and ideals of National Urban Crimes 
     Awareness Week.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution recognizes the important efforts to 
reduce crime in our Nation's urban areas and to support crime victims. 
We observed National Urban Crimes Awareness week during the second week 
of this month.
  This resolution particularly recognizes the critical role of 
education and prevention programs in decreasing crime. It also 
highlights the need for redoubling our commitment to finding 
alternatives for incarceration, to engaging in reentry programs for 
those completing their programs, and for rehabilitation programs that 
will help prevent crime from happening in the first place. It is 
important that we in Congress emphasize our commitment

[[Page H688]]

to reducing crime all across this country and to supporting the victims 
of crimes.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) for 
introducing this resolution, I urge my colleague to support it, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to join my colleague, Mr. Towns, in 
supporting House Concurrent Resolution 227.
  More than 6 million people were victims of crimes in 2008; and more 
than 1 million violent crimes were committed in 2008. Violent crimes 
are especially frequent in cities and among gangs. Neighborhood crime 
harms persons and families and it degrades communities.
  Studies show that crime can be reduced and communities saved if 
leaders in the communities are taught crime prevention techniques and 
become active in crime prevention programs. Crime prevention programs 
also help reduce domestic violence and aid victims and their families 
in recovery.
  National Urban Crime Awareness Week promotes the work of 
organizations and individuals throughout the country who combat urban 
crime and treat victims. Law enforcement, victim advocates, health 
professionals, school teachers, and many others should be recognized 
and applauded for their work in helping victims and bringing criminals 
to justice.
  Throughout my work on the Victims Rights Caucus, I have had the 
pleasure of working with some amazing people who advocate for victims 
of crime every day. They deserve to be commended for their work--such 
as the National Center for Victims of Crime, the Stalking Resource 
Center--which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year--the Rape, 
Abuse and Incest National Network, the End Abuse and the National 
Network to End Domestic Violence--to name just a few. But there are 
hundreds more across the country, all of these groups working together 
on behalf of victims of crime.

                              {time}  1545

  I support the goals and ideals of National Urban Crime Awareness 
Week. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the Chair of the Government Oversight and Reform Committee 
and sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Towns).
  Mr. TOWNS. I thank Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Poe, the full 
committee Chair, and the ranking member as well for moving this 
legislation forward.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H. Con. 
Res. 227, as amended, a concurrent resolution that designates the 
second week of February as National Urban Crime Awareness Week. This 
occasion provides an opportunity to shed light on the volatile issues 
affecting people within urban communities.
  In September 2009, 133 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates 
above the national average. As a result of the economic downturn, many 
of our Nation's urban communities are experiencing a substantial growth 
in crime, which has been directly linked to increased unemployment 
rates. In other words, there is a definite correlation between 
unemployment and crime.
  Madam Speaker, in 2008, there were an estimated 1,382,000 violent 
crimes that occurred nationwide. In New York, approximately 48,430 
violent crimes took place, compared to 28,941 reported cases in non-New 
York City counties.
  Over 60 percent of the Nation's youth have been exposed to violence 
in the past year. This exposure adversely affects their physical and 
mental health and long-term functioning into adulthood, and can force 
youth into gangs where they are more likely to perpetuate additional 
acts of violence.
  This resolution seeks to properly acknowledge the men, women, and 
children who have been victims of violence in urban communities. It 
will also commend the tireless efforts of survivors, volunteers, and 
professionals who work to prevent urban violence, and will recognize 
them as well as law enforcement and health professionals for their hard 
work and innovative preventative strategies.
  National Urban Crime Awareness Week is a time for us to advocate for 
people affected by urban violence. I urge all of my colleagues here in 
the House of Representatives to join me in support of this awareness 
campaign.
  Again, I want to thank the ranking member of the committee, Mr. Poe, 
and also thank the Chair of the committee, Mr. Scott, for their 
assistance in moving this legislation forward. I think it is so 
important that we do everything that we can to recognize and let people 
become aware of how important it is to come together to fight crime. I 
think it is just so important to deal with our young people at an early 
age and let them know that we are concerned about crime, and that we 
recognize that there is a correlation between unemployment and crime 
and we have to create jobs and should be working on that. I am hoping 
that we can pull together as a body here and work on creating jobs.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H. Con. Res. 227, brought forth by my esteemed colleague, 
Representative Edolphus Towns, New York, which articulates support for 
the ultimate goal that the National Urban Crimes Awareness Week stands 
to convey. This message is not for a specific neighborhood, race or 
ethnicity, but is for all nationalities and communities. Through 
reaching out to various organizations, businesses, colleges and 
universities, crime awareness will spread through like ``wild fire.''
  This resolution states that Congress realizes the importance of 
National Crime Awareness Week and acknowledges and welcomes the 
opportunity to educate the public about urban violence and take steps 
to prevent violence and provide support to victims.
  I cannot stress enough the significance of Congress supporting the 
concept of the resolution; not only for actual crime prevention, but 
also for the victims of crime. By joining in a consensus, we are 
informing Americans that we empathize and sympathize with their issues, 
concerns and safety. We are also declaring that we support both in 
theory and implementation any approach necessary to increase support 
for victims, increase successful and fair prosecutions and applaud the 
courage of individuals who pick up the shattered pieces of their lives 
and triumph in the midst of adversity! This resolution also 
acknowledges more comprehensive rehabilitation programs for ex-
offenders.
  This is especially important in my city, Houston, TX, where the 
population is the fourth largest in the United States. It is imperative 
to spread crime awareness, not only in this month, but every day, to 
maintain order and a safe living environment for all.
  So in conclusion, I immensely support H. Con. Res. 227 and I 
encourage my colleagues to follow my lead.
  Mr. POE of Texas. We have no other speakers. I strongly support this 
legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York for introducing the resolution and urge my colleagues to support 
it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 227, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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