Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentleman from Georgia for engaging in the colloquy on this important issue, and I think we have created a…”

“I thank the gentleman from Georgia for engaging in the colloquy on this important issue, and I think we have created a record that indicates that this bill is the Tiffany Joslyn Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program Reauthorization Act, and it does cover bullying prevention and intervention, and we will move forward with that understanding and recognize the importance of those elements of the bill. I want to just take a moment in my closing to acknowledge again the National Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition and to indicate their support for a bill that has gone unfunded now for 6 years, and to indicate in their letter that H.R. 494 updates the JABG to reflect current research and practices; incentivizes States to use graduated sanctions and incentives grounded in positive youth development; enhanced antibullying measures, gang prevention programs, and additional youth violence prevention and intervention services. It also updates the JABG to include evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed practices and mental healthcare. I am excited about this legislation. And I close by saying bullying is not just a schoolyard action anymore; it is a crisis that is taking over our Nation. Gone are the days that children can come home and seek solace and escape from their bullies. Technological advances have made it easy for young people to be tormented on social networks at any time from any place.…”