Frederica Wilson: “I am very pleased that the House today will vote to pass a bipartisan reauthorization of H.R. 1809, the Juvenile Justice…”

“I am very pleased that the House today will vote to pass a bipartisan reauthorization of H.R. 1809, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. I strongly believe that this measure will not only help our Nation's at-risk youth, but it will also vastly improve the juvenile justice system in each State. One area I was particularly interested in addressing in this bill is finding ways in which State-based practices that have been developed to end the school-to-prison pipeline can be expanded. I strongly believe that youth-based mentoring programs are key to achieving this goal. For that reason, I added language to the bill that expands the definition of juvenile delinquency programs to include youth mentoring programs so those programs will have greater access to Federal grant funding. One of my life's missions has been to help build a permanent roadblock on the destructive and demoralizing path that has entrapped so many boys and young men of color and other at-risk youth. In fact, there are 50 ninth grade boys from the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project visiting Washington today. If you see them in their red ties, give them a hug and tell them you love them. My experience as a teacher and principal has taught me the very real benefits of reaching children as early as possible and how, with proper encouragement, support, and resources, young lives can be transformed so that they will make positive and productive choices. Mr.…”