IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 217 

Recognizing the week of March 15 through March 21, 2009, as ‘‘National 

Safe Place Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 5, 2009 

Mr. YARMUTH (for himself and Mrs. BIGGERT) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the week of March 15 through March 21, 2009, 

as ‘‘National Safe Place Week’’. 

Whereas the youth of the United States will determine the 

future strength of our country and will be the bearers of 

our democracy; 

Whereas the youth need a safe haven from various negative 

influences, such as child abuse, substance abuse, depression, and crime; 

Whereas the youth need resources readily available to assist 

them when faced with circumstances that compromise 

their safety; 

Whereas the Safe Place program is committed to protecting 

youth of the United States by offering short-term housing at neighborhood locations where trained volunteers 


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•HRES 217 IH 

are available to counsel and advise youth seeking assistance and guidance; 

Whereas the Safe Place program is designated at locations 

where youth can get information and immediate care, including businesses, fast food restaurants, convenience 

stores, movie theaters, and community buildings such as 

fire stations, libraries, and community centers; 

Whereas more than 1400 communities in 40 States administer the Safe Place program at over 16,000 locations; 

Whereas more than 230,000 youth were helped by going to 

a Safe Place location or received counseling by phone as 

a result of information received at school about the Safe 

Place program; 

Whereas in 2008, National Safe Place’s ‘‘Building a Safety 

Net for Youth’’ awareness campaign reached more than 

2.5 million youth and familiarized them with the Safe 

Place sign and provided them with information about 

how to seek help in order to stay safe; 

Whereas the success of the Safe Place program is based on 

public and private collaborations between businesses, 

school systems, fire departments, law enforcement, and a 

network of volunteers; 

Whereas the United States needs increased numbers of community volunteers serving as mentors and positive influences on youth; 

Whereas the Safe Place program must meet performance 

standards relative to outreach and community relations, 

to receive direct Federal assistance as set forth in the 

Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et 

seq.); 


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•HRES 217 IH 

Whereas Safe Place services are needed for youth in every 

community and services are not available to youth in 10 

States; and 

Whereas increased awareness will encourage more communities to establish Safe Place program locations where 

youth can readily access the help they need: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes ‘‘National Safe Place Week’’; 

3 and 

4 (2) calls upon the people of the United States 

5 and interested groups to— 

6 (A) promote awareness of, and volunteer 

7 involvement in, the Safe Place program; and 

8 (B) observe the week with appropriate 

9 ceremonies and activities. 

Æ 


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