[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 7124-7125]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING NATIONAL SAFE PLACE WEEK

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, as our country faces imminent war 
with Iraq, and current events of the day may turn our attention 
overseas, it is essential to remember the ongoing battle that many of 
our young citizens face each day here at home. Our youth are the future 
of this Nation and must be protected. We not only value the young 
people of this country, but recognize that they are capable individuals 
and can take an active role in creating a healthier living situation.
  I come to the Senate floor today to talk about a tremendous 
initiative between the public and private sector

[[Page 7125]]

that has been reaching out to youth for 20 years: Project Safe Place. I 
am pleased that the Senate unanimously adopted S. Res. 70, a resolution 
introduced by Senator Diane Feinstein and myself to designate the week 
of March 16, 2003, as National Safe Place Week, in recognition of this 
partnership.
  Over the past 20 years, Project Safe Place has acted as an outreach 
effort of the YMCA Center for Youth Alternatives--a short-term shelter 
for youth at risk. Nearly 64,000 young people have received help at 
over 12,200 designated Safe Place locations. Young people can easily 
recognize a safe place under a well-known symbol of safety for in-
crisis youth. The success of the program, beginning in Louisville, KY, 
has prompted the implementation of this youth shelter outreach program 
in over 100 cities throughout the United States. Even though the 
program has already been established in 41 States across the country, 
there are still too many communities that don't know about this 
valuable youth resource.
  Safe Place is a nationally acclaimed program that is easily 
implemented in communities across the country. This program unites the 
business sector, volunteers, and youth service agencies in a community 
to provide temporary safe havens for youth in crisis. I urge all my 
colleagues: if your State does not already have a Safe Place 
organization, please consider facilitating this worthwhile resource so 
that young people who are abused, neglected, or whose futures are 
jeopardized by physical or emotional trauma will have access to 
immediate help and safety in their community.
  National Safe Place Week celebrates that outstanding program and 
honors the efforts of thousands of dedicated Safe Place volunteers who 
selflessly devote time and resources to protect our Nation's young 
people. I hope this commemoration helps to raise awareness of the 
number of troubled young people in our Nation and provides more youth 
and their families with the knowledge that help is often right in their 
own neighborhood.

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