Dale Kildee: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of h.R. 2455, the Safe Schools Act, and I commend its sponsor, Representative…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of h.R. 2455, the Safe Schools Act, and I commend its sponsor, Representative Owens, and Chairman Kildee, and the other members of the Education and Labor Committee for their leadership on this legislation. Soon, we will embark on one of the most crucial debates of this session--the debate over crime. I am particularly pleased that before our deliberations begin, we are coming together, in a bipartisan spirit, to pass the Safe Schools Act. Our action today sends a clear signal to the American people: Congress is committed to helping rid schools of violence and crime. By authorizing $50 million for the Department of Education to develop model programs and policies to promote school safety and reduce and prevent violence in schools, the act will encourage the development of more innovative programs, such as: Alternative after-school activities, peer mediation and counseling, and conflict resolution programs.”