Maurice Hinchey: “this past week in one short 2-hour period the message of violence among the young struck home in New York's 26th…”

“this past week in one short 2-hour period the message of violence among the young struck home in New York's 26th Congressional District. As we deliberate here today it will strike in countless other districts across the Nation. I represent the city of Newburgh--a city of only 27,000 people. Two hours of violence this past Sunday morning left two young people dead and three injured and countless others traumatized. One young woman shot and killed her lover--a young man suspected of beating her. A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in a dispute over a girl. And 2 West Point cadets were stabbed, another beaten and yet another 17-year-old recruit was beaten as well after being chased by a mob of 50 others. And yet another man was hit when a stray gunshot ripped through his hand as he walked down the street with his wife. How much more of this do we need to witness before we are prepared to ask what is wrong with our society? And what are we prepared to do about it? Violence by and against our children is pervading our Nation, particularly in places once considered safe--our schools--our homes. Almost one out of eight youths in America is assaulted, robbed, or raped each year--and this is nationwide. We all know this number is much higher in some neighborhoods. Neighborhoods where hope and opportunity have died. We have seen an increase of 47 percent among juveniles charged with violent crime in just the past 10 years.”