As a former educator, the safety of our children has been a top priority of mine from my early years in public office. Children are our future and we must do everything we can to protect and teach them to become successful, productive, and positive members in our society. Organizations such as ARISE play an important role in developing our youth so that they flourish and adjust to the challenges of the real world. Investing in our children’s future will prove beneficial once they become successful men and women contributing greatly to our country.

I join with the ARISE foundation in recognizing that we must help our juvenile justice courts to better the lives of our youth. Therefore, I am proud to be the Republican lead on HR 1082, The Safe Babies Act. This piece of legislation builds upon the innovative work being conducted in juvenile courts around the country. The bill authorizes funding for juvenile courts to create “Court Teams” to handle cases of young individuals in instances of abuse and neglect. The Court Teams bring together a juvenile court judge with other children mental health professionals to enhance and coordinate services for these children and their families.

Once again, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to provide for and protect at risk individuals living in this country especially through prevention and education. I am glad to see that the ARISE Foundation is rising to the task. As a mother of two daughters, I have witnessed first hand the great things teenagers can accomplish once they are surrounded by a healthy environment. I remain committed to ensuring that children are away from risk and continue to thrive in school and at home. Our children are the future of this great nation and should be treated as such. Therefore I would like to commend and congratulate ARISE for all they do on behalf of the youth of our communities and for the future of our country.

Return to ARISE in the News Page...