SLS 13RS-3578 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 192
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
FEDERAL PROGRAMS. Requests Louisiana congressional delegation to review the basis
for the discontinuance of funding of the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Young Marines Program
with a Juvenile Accountability Block Grant with the United States Department of Justice,
Office of Civil Rights.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the Louisiana congressional delegation to review the basis for the 2
discontinuance of funding of the Bossier Sheriff's Young Marines Program through3
a Juvenile Accountability Block Grant with the United States Department of Justice,4
Office of Civil Rights.5
WHEREAS, since 2002, the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office has successfully6
administered the Bossier Sheriff's Young Marines Program, a program sanctioned by the7
United States Marine Corps which provides community-based physical education programs8
that are designed to teach young men and women, ages 8 to 18, respect for their bodies9
through physical fitness, which in return will instill resistance to the temptations of illegal10
drugs, alcohol and tobacco use; and11
WHEREAS, the focus of the program is character-building, along with core values12
of discipline, leadership, teamwork and commitment and instills into the participants the13
ideals of honesty, integrity and respect and at-risk youth developing goals for academic14
success; and 15
WHEREAS, the program has been partially funded by the Juvenile Accountability16
Block Grant (JABG) provided by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE);17
and18 SR NO. 192
SLS 13RS-3578 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, because of the success of the program, local judges started sentencing1
court-ordered juveniles to the program as a diversion from jail time; however, the Young2
Marines Program was never intended to be a "diversion" program and the LCLE staff has3
recommended that the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office create a new separate program,4
specifically for court-ordered juveniles; and5
WHEREAS, in December 2012, the sheriff's office submitted a JABG application6
for the Bossier Youth Diversion Program which was created similar to the Bossier Sheriff's7
Young Marines Program, while also incorporating "Character Counts" and "The Great Body8
Shop", as recommended by LCLE staff, for court-ordered juveniles only; and9
WHEREAS, the sheriff's office was advised by the LCLE that pursuant to the10
direction of the United States Department of Justice, Office for Civil Rights, the program11
can "NOT include prayer as part of the Diversion program. Any prayer, even if voluntary,12
needs to be separate in time or location from the Diversion Program activities."; and13
WHEREAS, on February 22, 2013, the sheriff's office responded by email to the14
LCLE, "In response to the prayer issue, the time that was offered for prayer was optional for15
all of the kids. It was led by any child that wanted to volunteer and if there wasn't a16
volunteer, it became a few moments of silence."; and17
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2013, LCLE responded, at the direction of the United18
States Department of Justice, requesting an official letter, "...signed by the Sheriff, which19
states that there will be no prayer activities conducted during the Diversion program..." and20
that the LCLE, "...will not be able to issue an award until this letter is received."; and21
WHEREAS, at that time, the sheriff withdrew the grant request; and22
WHEREAS, on February 6, 2013, the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office submitted a23
Program Plan Worksheet requesting the one-time Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention24
funds available for the Bossier Sheriff's Young Marines Program and was denied upon the25
same grounds involving prayer activities; and26
WHEREAS, at this time, the sheriff's office has been divested of funding by the27
LCLE for both the Bossier Sheriff's Young Marines Program and the Bossier Youth28
Diversion Program due to prayer and the mention of God in the programs.29
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Louisiana congressional30 SR NO. 192
SLS 13RS-3578 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
delegation are hereby urged and requested to review with the United States Department of1
Justice, Office of Civil Rights, the basis for the discontinuance of funding of the Bossier2
Sheriff's Young Marines Program with a Juvenile Accountability Block Grant.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to each4
member of the Louisiana congressional delegation, the governor, the Louisiana Commission5
on Law Enforcement, and the Bossier Parish sheriff.6
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Peacock SR No. 192
Requests Louisiana congressional delegation to review with the United States Department
of Justice, Office of Civil Rights, the basis for the discontinuance of funding of the Bossier
Sheriff's Young Marines Program with a Juvenile Accountability Block Grant.