Political Quotes

“I recently read the following, and I quote: ``Mom, can I tell you something? I'm worried. All of the boys I grew up with are dead. I lie awake at night and think about it. What am I supposed to do?'' The question was asked by a 13-year-old boy in New Orleans. His mother suddenly realized that of a group of 6-year-olds who had started school together 7 years earlier, only her son was still living. All the others had met violent deaths. Nearly 1 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 are victims of violent crimes each year, and this has been true at least since 1985. The victimization of adolescents, particularly 12- to 15- year-olds, is growing. Teenagers are twice as likely to be assaulted as persons aged 20 and older. The rate and intensity of violence involving children and youth, moreover, has escalated dramatically, and much of it is accounted for by adolescents attacking their peers. Adolescent homicide rates have reached the highest levels in history. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2455, the Safe Schools Act.”