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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 583 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 583

     Designating September 2006 as ``National Youth Court Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 25, 2006

  Mr. Stevens (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Akaka, Mr. DeWine, Mr. 
  Feingold, Mr. Domenici, and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
     Designating September 2006 as ``National Youth Court Month''.

Whereas a strong country begins with strong communities in which all citizens 
        play an active role and invest in the success and future of the youth of 
        the United States;
Whereas the fifth National Youth Court Month celebrates the outstanding 
        achievement of youth courts throughout the country;
Whereas in 2005, more than 110,000 youths volunteered to hear more than 115,000 
        juvenile cases, and more than 20,000 adults volunteered to facilitate 
        peer justice in youth court programs;
Whereas 1,158 youth court programs in 49 States and the District of Columbia 
        provide restorative justice for juvenile offenders, resulting in 
        effective crime prevention, early intervention and education for all 
        youth participants, and enhanced public safety throughout the United 
        States;
Whereas, by holding juvenile offenders accountable, reconciling victims, 
        communities, juvenile offenders, and their families, and reducing 
        caseloads for the juvenile justice system, youth courts address offenses 
        that might otherwise go unaddressed until the offending behavior 
        escalates and redirects the efforts of juvenile offenders toward 
        becoming contributing members of their communities;
Whereas Federal, State, and local governments, corporations, foundations, 
        service organizations, educational institutions, juvenile justice 
        agencies, and individual adults support youth courts because youth court 
        programs actively promote and contribute to building successful, 
        productive lives and futures for the youth of the United States;
Whereas a fundamental correlation exists between youth service and lifelong 
        adult commitment to and involvement in one's community;
Whereas volunteer service and related service learning opportunities enable 
        young people to build character and develop and enhance life-skills, 
        such as responsibility, decision-making, time management, teamwork, 
        public speaking, and leadership, which prospective employers will value; 
        and
Whereas participating in youth court programs encourages youth court members to 
        become valuable members of their communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate designates September 2006 as ``National 
Youth Court Month''.
                                 <all>
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