By Harris S.C.R. No. 19 74R3437 SMC-D CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 1-2 violent juvenile crime in Texas has risen by 52 percent over the 1-3 course of the past decade and, between 1985 and 1991, serious 1-4 crimes were being committed by youthful offenders in this state at 1-5 a rate that was twice that of the national average; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Efforts have begun to combat this growing problem 1-7 through innovative preventive measures and investment in those 1-8 interventions that will maximize positive transitions into 1-9 adulthood; research has indicated that delinquency is least likely 1-10 to progress to adult criminality when at-risk youth experience one 1-11 or both of two key life transitions: the formation of long-term 1-12 relationships and the attainment of gainful employment; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Local initiatives have brought about a majority of 1-14 the currently popular innovative and aggressive juvenile offender 1-15 and at-risk youth programs; as a result, the state should encourage 1-16 and support local governments in responding to their own needs for 1-17 services within their communities through collaborative state and 1-18 local, public and private partnerships; now, therefore, be it 1-19 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-20 hereby encourage state agencies to work with local governments and 1-21 private employers to develop and implement employment programs for 1-22 juvenile offenders and at-risk youth.