Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 23:27:27 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <199809280327.XAA08585@belmonte.ne.mediaone.net>
From: mkb4@Cornell.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
To: senator@kennedy.senate.gov
Subject: oppose S.2073

Dear Senator Kennedy:

I write to you, as a constituent, to express my opposition to S.2073 as
recently amended.  Although S.2073 authorizes some popular programs that would
help missing children, it also includes a barbaric and extremist amendment
that would hurt some of the children who most need our help.  The amendment,
a Senate version of a bill originally introduced in the House by Rep. Bill
McCollum, would remove schools' discretion as to whether to expel students
who are caught with even small amounts of drugs.  It would give prosecutors
unreviewable power to try children as young as 14 as adults.  It would remove
judges' discretion in sentencing, and it would allow these children to be
jailed with adult offenders.  The bill would force states to focus on harsh and
ultimately ineffective punishments, rather than on treatment and intervention.
I urge you to oppose S.2073 on the floor of the Senate.