Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 18, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke urges students to 'listen, learn and do'

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today met with students from Pierce, Snohomish, Benton and Franklin counties to discuss school safety and youth violence. The discussion was a follow-up to last year's Youth Safety Summit, which was organized by Locke and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to begin a discussion of youth safety issues.

In the meeting, the governor said he is "very proud" of the students.

"You took up the challenge from last year's Youth Safety Summit, you rolled up your sleeves and looked for locally driven solutions, and now you are sharing the fruits of your labors with us," Locke said. "In many ways, this is the most important part of the equation. Sharing this information is vital because there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of school safety and youth violence."

Locke also delivered a personal message from President Bill Clinton to the students.

"President Clinton asked me to tell you that these kinds of efforts are exactly what we need, and that he's impressed with your leadership and dedication on this issue," Locke said. The governor raised the issue of school safety and today's meeting with Clinton during a trip to Seattle last Friday.

Following last year's Youth Safety Summit, students around the state took up the governor's challenge to find local solutions to school violence. The governor has stressed that solutions must be locally based and include the entire community.

"Government has a role, but real solutions are going to have to come from you, your teachers, and your parents, as well as from government," Locke said. "It's going to take the entire community, working together."

"One thing is very clear from our discussion today: we must all listen, learn and do," he said. "Listen to kids and talk to them about the issues and challenges they face today. Learn from people of all ages about the opinions, efforts and suggestions on solving this critical problem. And finally 'do' – make sure that we all are active participants, including parents, students and the community."

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