[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL SAFE PLACE AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Safe 
Place Awareness Week. Every year in America, as many as 2.8 million 
young people run away from or are pushed out of their homes. Almost 
half of them do so because of a family conflict.
  A young person in crisis is often scared and confused. The 
distinctive yellow-and-black sign that marks a Safe Place location is a 
universal symbol of safety and assistance. It signifies a place--a 
business, school, fire station, library, or many others--where a young 
person in crisis can get help.
  There are almost 20,000 Safe Place locations throughout the country, 
in 40 states and 1,562 communities. During the past 12 years, National 
Safe Place agencies have counseled nearly 90,000 young people in person 
and more than 110,000 via telephone.
  Sadly, the need for Safe Place services continues to grow. In 
response, National Safe Place is seeking to give more young people a 
place to turn for help--regardless of their circumstance.
  [Mr.] Speaker, I have introduced a resolution recognizing March 18 24 
as ``National Safe Place Awareness Week.'' The goal is not only to have 
more signs hanging across the country, it is to raise awareness and 
support of the vital programs National Safe Place provides for young 
people in the most vulnerable of situations.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

                          ____________________