[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 91 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E719-E720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pledge my support for 
the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (H.R. 1809).
  As a former deputy probation officer with the Boston Juvenile Court, 
I have seen firsthand the benefits of providing core protections for 
the treatment of children, youth, and families in the justice system. 
When I was a Contra Costa County Supervisor in California, I saw the 
benefits from another perspective when our county received one of the 
first SafeFutures grants awarded by the federal government. The 
SafeFutures initiative encouraged communities to tailor prevention, 
intervention, and treatment strategies to local needs. It was through 
this program that I had the opportunity to witness first-hand the 
positive effects that supportive disciplinary practices have on the at-
risk population.
  I am pleased that the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, like SafeFutures, 
brings together stakeholders to identify gaps in the continuum of 
services. Not only will these gaps be filled, but it also encourages 
finding cost-savings and efficiencies to keep initiatives schools 
establish with the help of JJRA grants running after that funding is 
exhausted.
  I appreciate the work done by Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member 
Scott to make the Juvenile Justice Reform Act comprehensive and 
bipartisan. I strongly support this bill,

[[Page E720]]

which will help equip professionals with the supports they need to 
contribute positively to the lives of our youth.

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