Dale Kildee: “Mr. Speaker, violence in our schools is a problem of national concern. In testimony before my Subcommmitte on…”

“Mr. Speaker, violence in our schools is a problem of national concern. In testimony before my Subcommmitte on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education, Madeleine Kunin, Deputy Secretary of Education, stated that: Approximately 3 million thefts and violent crimes occur on or near schools every year; Sixteen percent of high school seniors reported having been threatened with a weapon at school during the previous year; and, Seven percent reported being injured with a weapon. H.R. 2455 takes a first step toward making our schools safer. The next step will come on Thursday when H.R. 6, which includes the reauthorization of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, comes to the floor. That program provides funds for activities aimed at making schools safer such as the DARE Program. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2455 authorizes $50 million in funds to enable schools to implement comprehensive violence reduction strategies designed to reduce the incidence of violence in schools and to increase opportunities for schools to maintain disciplined environments conducive to learning.”