[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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