[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JENNIFER DUNN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2000

  Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Working Group on 
Youth Violence last fall, I heard numerous witnesses from law 
enforcement and the education field testify about the importance of 
School Resource Officers. Despite public perception, schools remain one 
of the safest places for children to be. Nevertheless, we must continue 
to make violence, and the perception of violence, rare in schools, and 
School Resource Officers are an integral part of this effort.
  For this reason, I am introducing the School Safety Act. Under 
current law, there is a 20% cap on the amount of federal funds that a 
state may spend on School Resource Officers from the federal Safe and 
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. The School Safety Act eliminates 
this cap so schools will have the flexibility to spend more of their 
Safe and Drug Free federal funds on a school resource officer, if they 
choose, in order to provide greater security for their schools.
  One adult can make a difference in a child's life by taking an 
interest and nuturing him or her. While there are many people working 
at schools today who can be a positive influence, School Resource 
Officers also play a crucial role. Students with behavioral disorders 
account for a majority of problems encountered in schools today, and 
these officers are needed, not only to identify these students, but to 
work on developmental skills and relationship building. By being a 
positive role model and working to instill values in troubled students, 
School Resource Officers often stop problems before they have a chance 
to start.
  Additionally, these officers can provide consultation with parents 
and teachers about student behavior and emotional difficulties, and 
provide parents with greater peace of mind about the care and safety of 
their children at school. Schools need to be safe places where students 
can learn, free of intimidation and fear. School Resource Officers are 
an important part of any school safety plan, and every effort must be 
made on the federal level to allow schools to choose whether their 
school safety plan will include this officer.
  I invite you to join with me in this effort and cosponsor and support 
this simple yet important legislation.

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