WHEREAS, schools make substantial contributions to the future of the State of Idaho and The United States of America through the development of our young people as knowledgeable, responsible and productive citizens; and

        WHEREAS, excellence in education is dependent on safe, secure and peaceful school settings; and

        WHEREAS, the safety and well-being of many students, teachers and school staff are unnecessarily jeopardized by crime and violence, such as substance abuse, gangs, bullying, poor discipline, and vandalism in our schools; and

        WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of all citizens to enhance the learning experiences of young people by helping to ensure fair and effective discipline, promote good citizenship, and generally make school safe and secure; and

        WHEREAS, numerous schools and school districts throughout the country, along with national programs, are among those innovative answers; and

        WHEREAS, the observance of America’s Safe Schools Week will help promote efforts to provide all our nation’s schools with positive and safe learning climates.

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 15^th through the 21^st, 2006, to be

IDAHO’S SAFE SCHOOLS WEEK

and encourage all students and educators in Idaho to work together to make Idaho’s schools safe, secure and peaceful places for learning, teaching and working, free of drugs, alcohol, and weapons.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 17th day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE