Andrea Joy Campbell: “I take this opportunity to speak to my sense-of-the-Senate amendment to Senate Concurrent Resolution 57, the budget…”

“I take this opportunity to speak to my sense-of-the-Senate amendment to Senate Concurrent Resolution 57, the budget resolution for fiscal year 1997. This amendment expresses the sense of the Senate to help young people at risk in three ways: First, the amendment calls for sufficient funding within existing fiscal constraints for programs to assist youth at risk by reducing illegal drug use, crime, and violence. Second, the amendment places a priority on supporting program evaluations which are scientific and independent to determine what works and to ensure the limited Federal dollars are invested wisely. And, third, the amendment calls for efforts to coordinate and eliminate duplication among federally supported at-risk youth programs. Mr. President, let me briefly address each of these points in the amendment. First, there are many programs funded by various Federal agencies, including the Departments of Justice, Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services. These programs help keep troubled kids out of gangs and off drugs. They give many kids a second chance to get their lives on the right track. And they should get the support of Senators within the fiscal constraints we all face with the Fiscal Year 1997 budget.”