September 14, 1999

WASHINGTON, D.C.... U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., Tuesday urged federal lawmakers to move forward with bipartisan initiatives designed to provide greater after-school opportunities for students.  At a hearing of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Byrd said that such programs can go far in reducing incidents of youth violence.

"It is important to provide children with fulfilling, wholesome activities, not just between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., but after the school bell rings at the end of the day.  In today's world of families with two working parents, it is increasingly important to develop these opportunities, and expanding after-school initiatives is an important step," Byrd said.

The Senate LHHS Subcommittee is considering an $850 million youth violence initiative, including $400 million for after-school programs.  That $400 million would be an increase of $200 million over current after-school program funding.

"I am encouraged by the effort that the Subcommittee has devoted to bolstering parental involvement, particularly in the early years of a child's life," Byrd said.

"The importance of connectivity among families, teachers, and students, and the need to foster healthy relationships, cannot be understated.  By engaging students, and by taking a true interest in their lives both socially and academically, teachers and parents will lead the way in helping to curb youth violence in our country," Byrd stated.

During the hearing, Byrd questioned three federal Cabinet secretaries -- Education Secretary Richard Riley, Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala -- on violence prevention issues discussed during a statewide symposium on school safety that he sponsored in August at West Virginia University.

"At the symposium, participants agreed that engaging children is very important.  I would like to know what steps the panel believes can be taken to assist in that effort.  Are there things we could be doing to better encourage parents to become involved with their child's education?" Byrd asked.

"Senator, you are right when you say that too many children do not feel connected, or like they belong, anymore.  Part of the problem is that, in today's society, too many families are too stretched and too stressed.  We need to do more to recognize and assist in the balance between work and families.  We need to create ways for parents to have more time with their children.  The issue is not only an important one for at-risk youth, but for family life, as well," Secretary Herman noted.

"Many people believe, as do I, that smaller schools are part of the answer to giving students a sense of belonging.  In the Sunday edition of the Charleston Gazette-Mail, an article noted that, of the seven most recent deadly school shootings in the United States, five took place in schools with enrollments close to or more than 1,000.  Yet, especially in rural areas, it is a challenge to have small schools, while, at the same time, having those schools replete with quality teachers and learning equipment.  How can that balance be better struck?" Byrd asked.

"Experts from around the country have talked about taking large schools and breaking them down into smaller classrooms.  That is one option.  We need to have schools in which children believe that there are adults who are involved in their lives.  These students need to feel connected to and involved in their schools and their communities," Secretary Shalala responded.

"There are no easy answers to the problem of youth violence.  It is an extremely complex issue that will depend, on large part, on our ability to promote the positive development of children before problems arise or become entrenched," Shalala added.

Byrd has created an Internet site devoted to his "Building Safe Schools and Healthy Communities" initiative.  The site can be accessed from Byrd's Internet home page at http://byrd.senate.gov.

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