David Durenberger: “I rise to comment briefly on what I know is a growing level of concern in this body--and in the Nation as a whole--about…”

“I rise to comment briefly on what I know is a growing level of concern in this body--and in the Nation as a whole--about violence in schools. In particular, I was pleased to support the amendment offered by Senator Dodd incorporating into this legislation, S. 1125, the Safe Schools Act of 1993. I do so with the understanding that this is an interim measure designed to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to school districts for violence prevention programs during the next 2 years. In particular, it will allow the Secretary to use up to $20 million, which has already been appropriated for the current fiscal year, for these purposes. This interim measure will also give Congress the time it needs to consider the administration's proposal to add violence reduction to the mission of the Drug Free Schools Program which is being reauthorized as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. That reauthorization will take place later this year. Mr. President, I supported Senator Dodd's amendment because I believe all levels of government must respond to the growing incidence of weapons possession and violence in our Nation's schools.”