[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE ENDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS ACT OF 2019

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2019

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Ending 
Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2019.
  This bill would prohibit any educational institution from receiving 
federal funding that allows school personnel to inflict corporal 
punishment on students and creates grants to encourage improvements in 
schools, which promote positive behaviors.
  Madam Speaker, corporal punishment is a form of physical punishment 
where someone deliberately inflicts pain on another individual in order 
to punish them. In schools, it includes the spanking or paddling of 
children by school officials.
  Although corporal punishment in schools has certainly been part of 
this country's history, it has been a blemish on that history and must 
end immediately. In addition to the fact that there is no conclusive 
evidence that corporal punishment mollifies disruptive behavior, it is 
disproportionately used against African American students and children 
with disabilities. These punishments can result in physical as well as 
emotional harm to children.
  Schools must be a safe place where students are protected from harm, 
so that they are able to thrive, grow, and learn. Sadly, 19 states 
still allow corporal punishments in school. Last year, more than 
100,000 students were physically punished by being hit, slapped, and 
spanked. This is completely unacceptable.
  Madam Speaker, schools must be a safe space for our children to 
learn. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critically 
important bill, and hope to see its swift passage very soon.

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