Regarding The Ceasefire Week

REGARDING THE CEASEFIRE WEEK -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 09, 2005)
SPEECH OF
HO N. DANNY K. DAVIS
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2005
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for the CeaseFire Chicago program and to celebrate CeaseFire week. Some of our nation's youth faces gangs, drugs, and gun violence daily. As we proceed through CeaseFire week, from June 4-11, we ac knowledge community events such as peace marches, memorial services, and other civic gatherings held throughout Chicago. We must keep in mind the sheer violence our children encounter, and the direction we must take to solve this increasing problem. Programs such as CeaseFire help to steer at-risk children away from such pressures towards graduation and college. Indeed, CeaseFire Chicago sends outreach workers, clergy, and community leaders into rough neighborhoods to mentor, respond to shootings, hand out fliers and encourage the students to stay off the streets. Today, 70 outreach workers volunteer their time to search for at-risk children in the Chicago area. And it works! In my district, where CeaseFire is most active, violence has been reduced by an average of 45 percent.
I believe by taking a more active stance on the issue of gangs and gun violence, we can help protect the children of tomorrow. CeaseFire has even been acknowledged and supported from the First Lady Laura Bush on her current trip to Chicago. This program has had a phenomenal impact on the children of Chicago, and the success would only be replicated in other cities. Therefore, I urge my fellow colleagues to support such programs as CeaseFire Chicago. With our continued efforts, we can continue to provide safe neighborhoods and successful opportunities for our children.
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