Representative Sutton Speaks in Support of National Night Out

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.Res. 623 and commend Representative Stupak for bringing this great resolution to the floor today.

National Night Out is an innovative and unique crime fighting tool. The Administration's support for the effort is critically important.

This resolution sends a strong message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organizing and are fighting back.

It also sends a strong message to volunteers, neighbors, and block leaders - that their hard work is not going unnoticed by this Congress and this Administration.

When people volunteer in their community, they are telling the world that their neighborhood matters - that their neighborhood is important and that it has value.

We hear them.

In these difficult times, volunteering is critical to supporting both our neighbors and our community.

While neighborhood watch groups work tirelessly every night throughout this country, a special night of the year is reserved to celebrate National Night Out.

On the first Tuesday of every August, nearly 37 million Americans gather together to participate in National Night Out.

They walk door to door, handing out important safety information, greeting old neighbors and meeting some new people on their block.

It takes a community to keep a neighborhood safe and on August 4th people across America helped keep their neighborhoods just that much safer.

This August 4th, I had the honor to participate in the 26th Annual National Night Out in Akron.

It was a great experience that I hope to participate in again next year along with millions of my fellow crime-fighting Americans.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.