Involvement in our communities fulfills an important role in America's infrastructure. Everyday citizens in towns all across the Nation and West Virginia come together to build-up broken communities and work together to inspire future generations to answer this same call for public service.
This type of local involvement betters our communities from within by working side by side with law enforcement and government officials on pressing issues currently facing our communities such as addiction, crime and the need for more economic growth.
One way to get involved in your neighborhood is through community crime prevention, one of the most effective ways to help our local law enforcement officials combat crime here in West Virginia. Whether you teach your kids to "just say no," watch your neighbors' children, or form neighborhood watch groups, local law enforcement officials depend on your support through community-led initiatives to succeed. Your active involvement and the presence of local law enforcement in communities is a winning combination that has proven to help keep our streets and families safe.
In southern West Virginia, we take great pride in our community spirit, which shines through best when we focus on one of our most valuable resources, our children. This past year, I was so proud to learn that two counties in southern West Virginia, Mercer and Monroe, were again honored as two of the nation's "100 Best Communities for Youth" by America's Promise Alliance. These counties have dedicated themselves to fostering a healthy, safe and caring environment for our young leaders.
These two communities are just two examples of how southern West Virginians can work together to instill a sense of civic responsibility in our youth and generate economic opportunity for our communities. When we actively involve our young people, we show them the limitless possibilities their futures can hold, by playing a role in the development of their communities today.
I pledge to support the hard work and dedication of my fellow West Virginians, by continuing my work to make the communities in the Third District healthy and nurturing environments in which families can live and raise their children. I will continue to support programs such as the Drug Free Communities grant program and the Safe and Drug Free Schools program that are invaluable tools when it comes to preventing and reducing substance abuse, particularly in our teenagers and young adults.
West Virginia native, and renowned author, Pearl S. Buck once said, "If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all." When teachers, civic leaders, parents, children, the young and the old come together to better their communities, we pick up that mantle and choose to create environments where children and families have boundless opportunities.
