PRINTER'S NO. 2519
No. 292 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY C. WILLIAMS, BARRAR, BEBKO-JONES, BELARDI,
CALTAGIRONE, WATERS, WASHINGTON, CAPPELLI, COLAFELLA,
CORRIGAN, COY, DALEY, GEIST, GEORGE, LEDERER, MANN, MELIO,
READSHAW, SATHER, SHANER, STABACK, CURRY, E. Z. TAYLOR,
GRUCELA, JOSEPHS, FRANKEL, THOMAS, YOUNGBLOOD, SOLOBAY,
MUNDY, BELFANTI AND HORSEY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2001
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, SEPTEMBER 26, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Declaring that all Pennsylvania school students have the right
2 to the surety that they are safe, and requesting from the
3 Department of Education an accounting and evaluation of
4 professional guidance services and aid that can be provided
5 to local school districts.
6 WHEREAS, In the wake of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, in
7 which thousands of innocent lives were lost, the nation searches
8 for answers to our children's questions and ways to allay their
9 fears; and
10 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania finds its school
11 districts dealing with tough issues in unsettled times; and
12 WHEREAS, When once it was commonly assumed that school, next
13 to the home, was the safest place a child could be, incidents of
14 terroristic violence, including those which occurred in
15 Washington, New York and Pennsylvania, have damaged this
16 perception; and
17 WHEREAS, The limited resources of many of the Commonwealth's
1 local school districts are being stretched near to capacity; and
2 WHEREAS, School districts are finding that the services of
3 professional guidance counselors are needed to aid students in
4 coping with and understanding terroristic violence; and
5 WHEREAS, The Department of Education needs to take an active
6 role in addressing the needs of local school districts for
7 professional guidance and technical support; therefore be it
8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives declare that all
9 Pennsylvania school students and their parents have the right to
10 the surety that schools and classrooms are, indeed, safe places;
11 and be it further
12 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives request from the
13 Department of Education a report on professional guidance
14 counselor services provided by local school districts, including
15 services directed to assist students in coping with and
16 understanding terroristic violence. This report shall also
17 document needs of local school districts for professional
18 guidance counselor services and Federal and State aid that can
19 be provided to local school districts to meet these needs. This
20 report is to be submitted to the House of Representatives by
21 December 31, 2001.
I24L82MSP/20010H0292R2519 - 2 -