[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 296--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2007 AS ``NATIONAL YOUTH 
                             COURT MONTH''

  Mr. STEVENS (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Domenici, Mr. 
Cochran, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Feingold, Mr. Casey, Mr. Thune, Mr. Inouye, 
Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. Cornyn) submitted the following resolution; which 
was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 296

       Whereas the United States is built on strong communities in 
     which all citizens play an active role and invest in the 
     success and future of the youth of the United States;
       Whereas the sixth National Youth Court Month celebrates the 
     outstanding achievements of youth court programs throughout 
     the country;
       Whereas in 2006, more than 120,000 youths volunteered to 
     hear more than 130,000 juvenile cases, and more than 20,000 
     adults volunteered to facilitate peer justice in youth court 
     programs;
       Whereas 1,210 youth court programs in 49 States and the 
     District of Columbia provide restorative justice for juvenile 
     offenders, resulting in effective crime prevention, early 
     intervention and education for all youth participants, and 
     enhanced public safety throughout the United States;
       Whereas youth courts address offenses that might otherwise 
     go unaddressed until the offending behavior escalates and 
     reduce caseloads for the juvenile justice system;
       Whereas youth courts redirect the efforts of juvenile 
     offenders toward becoming contributing members of their 
     communities by holding juvenile offenders accountable and 
     reconciling victims, communities, juvenile offenders, and 
     their families;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local governments, 
     corporations, foundations, service organizations, educational 
     institutions, juvenile justice agencies, and individual 
     adults support youth court programs because these programs 
     actively promote and contribute to building successful, 
     productive lives and futures for the youth of the United 
     States;
       Whereas a fundamental correlation exists between youth 
     service and lifelong community involvement;
       Whereas volunteer service and related service learning 
     opportunities enable young people to build character and 
     develop and enhance life-skills, such as responsibility, 
     decision-making, time management, teamwork, public speaking, 
     and leadership, which prospective employers will value; and
       Whereas youth court programs encourage participants to 
     become valuable members of their communities: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates September 2007 as 
     ``National Youth Court Month''.

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