[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         IN SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL ANTI-VIOLENCE EMPOWERMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 1999

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, juvenile crime today tends to be 
more violent and involves younger children than in the past. The recent 
tragedies involving school violence has prompted parents, teachers, 
administrators, and elected officials to work together and set the 
safety of our children as a national priority. Congress needs to get 
its priorities in line as well and act on legislation that would stop 
youth violence and make our schools safe.
  According to a 1995 GAO report on school-based violence prevention 
programs, successful programs have the following characteristics: a 
comprehensive approach; an early start and long-term commitment; strong 
leadership and disciplinary policies; staff development; parental 
involvement; interagency partnerships and community links; and a 
culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate approach.
  I am proud to join my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Robert 
Menendez as a cosponsor of the School Anti-Violence Empowerment Act 
because it includes many of the recommendations of the GAO report. This 
bill would:
  Provide grants for school districts to hire crisis prevention 
counselors and fund anti-school violence initiatives. 50% of the grants 
would go to fund crisis prevention counselors and crisis prevention 
programs. 50% would go to school districts who would have the 
flexibility to spend these funds on projects which would best improve 
security at their schools.
  Increased funding for COPS. 50% of the funding would be targeted for 
cooperative school-police partnerships to place safety officers in 
schools.
  Implements after school and life skills programs for at-risk youth.
  Directs the Department of Education to work with the Department of 
Justice to develop a model violence prevention program for school 
districts to use. In addition, the Department of Education would create 
a clearinghouse of anti-school violence to allow school districts to 
see what types of initiatives are working in other schools across the 
nation.
  It is imperative that we implement aggressive and comprehensive 
approaches to keep our children safe. They deserve to have an 
educational experience free from fear or the threat of violence.

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