356                               JOINT RESOLUTIONS

No. 19
(House Joint Resolution 17)

House Joint Resolution commending the establishment of the Wash-
ington Metropolitan Area Council of Juvenile Court Judges and
endorsing possibilities for a cooperative solving of juvenile prob-
lems in the political sub-divisions comprising Metropolitan Wash-
ington.

WHEREAS, The members of the General Assembly of Maryland
have heard, with considerable interest, of the establishment of the
Washington Metropolitan Area Council of Juvenile Court Judges,
for a cooperative solving of the problems concerning young people
in the large and populous areas comprised within Metropolitan
Washington; and

WHEREAS, The need for a cooperative and joint approach to
juvenile problems is typical of similar needs which have developed
in many metropolitan areas throughout the country. In localities
which have experienced rapid urban and suburban development,
new homes and communities have sprung up over great areas which,
a few years earlier, were in the open country. These new communi-
ties have been planned and constructed largely without regard to
the artificial lines of political sub-division, so that with greater and
greater frequency throughout this country, the great sprawling
metropolitan areas are encountering common problems with diverse
political sub-divisions; and

WHEREAS, The area of Metropolitan Washington is typical in this
respect. It stems, of course, from the District of Columbia and en-
compasses at least two counties in Maryland and at least two
counties and the City of Alexandria in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, One of the most persistent social problems encountered
in urban and metropolitan localities is that of juvenile delinquency.
It is a problem which has no political boundaries and one which may
more effectively be prevented and alleviated by cooperative effort
of the juvenile courts and other resources of the whole area; and

WHEREAS, For these reasons, the General Assembly of Maryland
is pleased to offer its commendation and encouragement to the
efforts being made throughout the several political sub-divisions
by the Washington Metropolitan Area Council of Juvenile Court
Judges to arrive at a cooperative approach and solution of this very
fundamental and persistent problem which has become of such basic
importance in a modern urban community; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the mem-
bers of this Body commend the establishment of the Washington
Metropolitan Area Council of Juvenile Court Judges and are pleased
to support and promote all efforts made by the Washington Metro-

EXPLANATION: Italics indicate new matter added to existing law.

[Brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
CAPITALS indicate amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken out of bill.