Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Campus Safety Awareness Month

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL CAMPUS SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH -- (House of Representatives - October 06, 2005)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join in support of H. Res. 15, supporting the goals and ideals of National Campus Safety Awareness Month.

The first weeks of college are an amazing time for young people in America. As a matter of fact, I was jokingly thinking to myself of a few years ago when I first entered. College represents the culmination of years of hard work by both students and their families.

For most, going to college is a student's first time away from home. Unfortunately, a time that should be full of joy and eager anticipation for college students is also a very dangerous time. This time has been dubbed the ``red zone'' by some because of the risk of becoming a victim of campus crime being so high.

Each year, over 600,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of crimes and accidents on college campuses. In addition, the cost of public and private property damage that results from campus crime is in the millions.

Sexual and physical assaults are particularly rampant on college campuses, placing females at greater risk. Nearly one-quarter of all female college students are victims of either attempted rape or rape during their college years. The majority of these assaults are committed by people those women know. Students are more likely to become victims of crimes or have accidents when alcohol is involved.

Security on Campus, Incorporated, is a national nonprofit organization that works to eliminate campus crime. The organization provides legal advice to victims of campus crime, works to secure campus improvements that reduce safety and security risks, and provides programs that help reduce the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Fueled by a desire to help secure our Nation's college campuses and by the knowledge that the public is unaware of the scope of safety issues that exist on campuses, Security on Campus, Incorporated, declared September to be National Campus Safety Awareness Month. I support this action as a concerned citizen and as a parent. The need for safer environments in our Nation's colleges and universities is critical to the success of our youth.

Madam Speaker, I support H. Res. 15 because I feel that the issue of campus safety is of national importance. I want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his introduction of this resolution and for his thoughtfulness in making us aware of this issue and raising the awareness around campus safety.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://thomas.loc.gov