On the recordJuly 30, 2020
I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for including my amendment in this en bloc package. My amendment has a straightforward goal: increasing support for school safety grants under the STOP School Violence Act. Last Congress, I introduced legislation which is now law to provide grants to local school districts to strengthen security on school grounds. This was made part of the broader bipartisan STOP School Violence Act enacted last Congress. In my southern Illinois district, these funds have been used by the Shawnee Community School District to build an emergency communications cell tower. The Meridian School District uses the funds to hire a school resources officer. As a father, grandfather, and former first responder, I hope that our young people can return to the classroom soon. I hope that this money is available to make sure that they are even safer. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the en bloc package.
