[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7752]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL SAFE PLACE WEEK

  (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Safe 
Place Week, the organization and the critical services it provides to 
young people in need.
  Of the more than 1 million youth who experience homelessness 
annually, some are born without homes, but most run away to escape 
abuse; and with no hope in sight, one-third attempt suicide. 
Thankfully, National Safe Place recognizes that in each of these young 
people is hope for the future, a chance to succeed, and an opportunity 
to become productive members of our communities.
  In the 26 years since National Safe Place began in my hometown of 
Louisville, Kentucky, it has served nearly a quarter million 
disconnected youth nationwide, 100,000 in Kentucky alone. In 40 States 
and 1,400 communities across the Nation, Safe Place has provided the 
services and support to help a child's potential become a reality. No 
wonder Safe Place is the largest recipient of funding through the 
Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act, which we just reauthorized with 
legislation I authored with my colleague, Judy Biggert.
  Time after time, adolescents devoid of hope have traveled a path that 
seems sure to dead end, only to find themselves in front of one of 
1,600 stores, restaurants, and businesses bearing the Safe Place logo. 
Inside, they find a new path that begins with the support every child 
needs and ends with a chance that every child deserves.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating National Safe Place 
Week.

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