The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been very, very important to this Nation, very important to my State.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We all know that water is essential for life.

I know that most tragedies that involve young people, they should have been prevented.

As a father, a grandfather, and a former teacher, I believe there is nothing more important than ensuring the safety of our schoolchildren.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

I am pleased to welcome all to this hearing on strengthening school safety through the prevention of bullying.

We must better understand the causes of school violence and give our educators the tools they need to protect children from dangerous situations.

Crisis prevention and intervention has been my highest priority, along with school safety, for my entire career.

I believe strongly in prevention. I certainly know that schools could do so much more to prevent youth suicides than they are currently doing.

Now, that certainly highlights the need for school safety planning and training in every single school in America every year.

But I also think there is a second role where the school can educate people to be civil people.