Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak today on my amendment.

In recognition of the escalating severity of youth suicide rates in the United States and also in my congressional district, I propose a funding increase of $6.5 million for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant to be used for youth suicide awareness and prevention with a corresponding reduction from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and this includes training school personnel and high school students on the signs of suicide.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in America for young people between the ages of 15 and 19. Missouri statistics surpassed that of our Nation's average on almost every account, from every age group to race and ethnicity.

The 2018 Missouri High School Principal of the Year, Jeff Meisenheimer, came to my office recently. His chief concern was that our youth today are in distress; that suicide rates are rising; and school personnel need resources to help these vulnerable students.

Two years ago in his school, Lee's Summit North High School, which is located in my district, a hardworking, young woman with a contagious smile named Gemesha Thomas died by suicide in the school. She actually went in the girl's restroom and shot herself.

My grandson was at the school at the time, and they evacuated the school. I was actually speaking with him by phone from here. He was outside trying to figure out what was going on.

This is a tragedy. There is no other word for it, but we have got to do all we can to try to help prevent this. Disturbingly, this situation is becoming more and more common and we have to do something about it.

These tragedies do not exist in a vacuum. According to the Jason Foundation, four out of five teens who attempt suicide give clear warning signs.

Madam Chair, I want to applaud the committee's commitment on this issue and the increase in funding for youth suicide prevention in this bill. However, we must do more. This is why I propose an increase in funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program because it puts resources in the hands of those who are on the front lines of training for our future.

Let's do everything within our power to reduce death by suicide and give our future leaders a fighting chance.

I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

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