* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Dixon
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
National Family Month
FOR the purpose of celebrating National Family Month: A Celebration of the American Family Annually from Mother's Day to Father's Day to underscore the importance of family - kids, mothers, fathers, relatives, and care-givers - and to encourage supporting one another.
Body
Recitals
National Family Month was established by KidsPeace, one of the country's oldest and most comprehensive not-for-profit organizations that serves 2,500 children in crisis each day at 50 locations across the country, with more than 35 programs, and helps millions of kids and families around the world through innovative prevention and outreach programs.
KidsPeace believes that every child has 4 fundamental needs that must be fulfilled to lead an emotionally healthy and physically safe life. These "Points of Peace" are:
• Safety - feeling physically safe and emotionally secure or protected.
• Trust - having complete assurance regarding the character and trust of someone or
something.
• Love - being unconditionally accepted, having a sense of belonging and affection,
and feeling appreciated, valued.
• Power - having the strength or ability to pursue purpose, skill, or talent, and
possessing the freedom to be a child and to grow independently.
When any of these "Points of Peace" are absent or threatened, a child may face a crisis.
In supporting the 1st celebration of National Family Month, the 105th Congress, 2nd Session stated in House Concurrent Resolution #302 that there is "an epidemic of children in crisis in the United States caused by the increased stresses on children from contemporary society, which can even include instances of child abuse and neglect. Newspaper headlines, news reports, and various studies provide evidence that children are more frequently committing acts of violence, taking illegal drugs, and committing suicide, indicating that the future of the children of the United States, and therefore the Nation, is at risk."
Studies show that our children in Baltimore City are at particular risk. During 1995-1999, among the 50 U.S. states, Maryland ranked 3rd in firearm victimization among youth under age 18. During the same period, Maryland also had the highest rate of handgun murders committed by youth under age 18. These high rates were primarily attributable to the youth homicide victimization and perpetration rates in Baltimore City.
While most recently the trend of juvenile violent and non-violent crime may have decreased as a percentage for the entire State, Baltimore City remains in crisis. Officials here maintain that an overwhelming amount of the youth crime and violence perpetrated in the City of Baltimore is committed by youth between the ages of 12-17; that every year, more than 500 children in Baltimore, who turn 15, have been arrested 3 or more times; and that many of these crimes are committed in 4 primary areas: East, West, Northwest, and Northeast.
The Maryland State Department of Education cites an astonishing 16,641 suspensions in City schools last year as an improvement over the 2003-2004 school year when there were 26,324. City school teachers' efforts to educate our children are hampered by the behavior problems of many of the children that result from a lack of discipline at home and exposure to the peer influences of the street.
Every statistic cited concerning Maryland youth, and particularly those in Baltimore City, indicates that they are not getting proper guidance and nurturing at home. National Family Month emphasizes the need for the family, and indeed the whole community, to be available and involved in the life of our children to ensure that they have a safe and secure childhood as a foundation for a life of productive and socially responsible adulthood.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body endorses National Family Month: A Celebration of the American Family Annually from Mother's Day to Father's Day to underscore the importance of family - kids, mothers, fathers, relatives, and care-givers - and to encourage supporting one another.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of the Mayor's Office for Children, Youth, and Families, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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