[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 163 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1356-E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TIFFANY JOSLYN JUVENILE ACCOUNTABILITY BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM 
                      REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House of 
Representatives has passed H.R. 68, the ``Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile 
Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention 
and Intervention Act.''
  Passage of H.R. 68 came about as a result of hard and great teamwork 
amongst our amazing staff on both sides of the aisle. I am heartened by 
the work done on this bill along with the other four bills up for 
unanimous consent. I commend Chairman Goodlatte's leadership on this 
effort to help pass H.R. 68.

[[Page E1357]]

  This bill is named for Tiffany May Joslyn, a champion for criminal 
justice reform, who served as my Deputy Chief Counsel of the Crime 
Subcommittee and whose life tragically was cut short on March 5, 2016, 
in a car accident that sadly also claimed the life of her brother, 
Derrick. She was just 33 years old.
  So today's passage of H.R. 68 is both bitter and sweet. Tiffany would 
have been proud, as she championed these causes. This moment is for 
both her and for all the millions of young people that will be helped 
by this bill.
  The Tiffany Joslyn bill will help stem the epidemic of juveniles 
within the criminal justice system by reauthorizing the Juvenile 
Accountability Block Grant program (JABG) and providing funding to 
state and local governments for the creation of bullying and gang 
prevention programs.
  It will authorize such appropriations as may be necessary, which is 
anticipated to be at least $30 million per year.
  In addition to reauthorizing juvenile justice programs, the Tiffany 
Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the 
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act clarifies how to address the 
occurrences of bullying through developmentally appropriate 
intervention and prevention techniques, which center on evidence-based 
models and best practices that rely on schools and communities rather 
than involvement from law enforcement and the justice system.
  H.R. 68 is designed to help both the victims and perpetrators of 
bullying. Research studies have shown that approximately 25 percent of 
school bullies will be convicted of a criminal offense in their adult 
years.
  It also includes provisions for gang prevention programs, which will 
help guide our children towards socially beneficial paths. If we want 
our children to learn, we must be able to maintain a safe and healthy 
school environment. Bullying is a massive issue in our nation's 
schools.
  The National Center for Educational Studies reports show that 14 
percent of 12-to 18-year-olds surveyed report being victims of direct 
or indirect bullying. 1 out of 4 kids is bullied.
  Bullying is not just in a schoolyard anymore; it is a crisis that's 
taking over our nation. Gone are the days that children can come home 
and seek solace and escape from their bullies; technological advances 
have made it easy for young people to be tormented on social networks 
at any time from any place.
  They are never out of harm's reach. This needs to end. Americans 
children should be protected, and no child should be persecuted for 
exercising their American right to be themselves. It is time for us to 
come to a conclusive solution to America's bullying crisis.
  My bill, H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block 
Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act, 
provides the solution that we need.
  The work we do as Members to pass these bills cannot be done without 
the diligence and hard work of our talented and dedicated staff 
Counsels. This is why I would like to take the time to thank Monalisa 
Dugue, Deputy Chief Counsel of the Democratic Crime Subcommittee; and 
her colleagues Danielle Brown, Perry Apelbaum, and Joe Graupensperger 
of the Democratic staff. And I thank Branden Ritchie, Shelly Husband, 
Stephanie Gadbois, and Margaret Barr of the Republican staff for their 
fine work.
  Now I urge my colleagues in the Senate to adopt our effort in the 
House and pass H.R. 68, the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability 
Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and 
Intervention Act so that we may keep all of our children safe.
  This bill honors Tiffany, but more importantly, it advances the cause 
of justice in America.

                          ____________________