1999 White House Education Press Releases and Statements
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ______________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release October 15, 1999
October 15, 1999
In the aftermath of the tragedy in Littleton, the President and the First Lady called on Americans from all sectors to help prevent youth violence. Today, President Clinton will announce two new initiatives in this effort. First, he will unveil a new anti-violence public service advertising campaign on NBC. Second, the President will announce that he is creating a new White House Council on Youth Violence to ensure that the federal government's many efforts in this area are well-coordinated and serve the public as effectively as possible. Finally, the President will demand that Congress pass common-sense gun control measures, noting that Congress has let six months pass since Littleton and that the American people should not have to wait another day for such protections.
SPURRING ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY TO HELP PREVENT YOUTH VIOLENCE
The President will announce that on Monday, October 18, 1999, NBC will begin airing public service advertisements that focus on the interconnected issues of youth violence and intolerance. The advertisements, part of NBC's "The More You Know" public service campaign, will send messages to parents and students about the importance of resolving conflicts without resorting to violence, as well as the message that prejudice and hate are harmful and can lead to tragic ends. In this effort, NBC is partnering with national organizations including the Anti-Defamation League, the National Urban League, the National Council of La Raza, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Leadership Conference Education Fund. The campaign includes an Internet site and 1-800 toll-free numbers to link the public to more information and tools to combat youth violence.
In August, the President announced the formation of a non-profit, non-partisan National Campaign Against Youth Violence. Today the President will highlight the National Campaign's initial work to help communities across the nation stop youth violence.
DIRECTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO ITS PART
Noting that the federal government must do its part, President Clinton will also announce today that he is issuing an executive memorandum to create a White House Council on Youth Violence. The Council will work to coordinate programs throughout the federal government that address issues of youth violence. The Council will seek to make these programs more accessible to American families and examine best practices in addressing the problem. Members of the Council will include the Attorney General and the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Education, and Labor, as well as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
DEMANDING THAT CONGRESS ENACT COMMON SENSE GUN CONTROL LAWS
Finally, the President will demand that Congress meet its responsibility to help reduce violence and improve public safety by passing common sense gun legislation. The President will reiterate his call on the Congress to pass a balanced, bipartisan juvenile crime bill that includes the Senate-passed gun measures that would: close the gun show loophole; require child safety locks for handguns; bar the importation of large capacity ammunition clips; and ban violent juveniles from owning guns for life. Six months after the tragedy in Littleton, these life-saving measures are long overdue.
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