{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-resolution-introduced-declaring-april-second-chance-month", "BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION INTRODUCED DECLARING APRIL AS SECOND CHANCE MONTH", "2025-04-01", "2025", "2025-04", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Carol Miller (R-WV), and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) alongside U.S Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced the bicameral Second Chance Month Resolution. The members released the following statements:\n\n\u201cRecognizing April as Second Chance Month is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of creating pathways for the millions of Americans previously and currently incarcerated, who have paid their debt to society, and experience the innumerable barriers to re-entering their communities,\u201d said Rep. Westerman. \u201cEach of these Americans have an intrinsic value and are worthy of the dignity that comes with establishing hard-earned jobs and gaining sought-after respect. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Congress must work to break down the stigmas attached to incarceration and reducing recidivism rates. I\u2019m honored to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this resolution to restore the dignity of these reformed individuals.\u201d\n\n\u201cHard-working Americans should be compensated fairly for the work they do,\u201d said Rep. McBath. \u201cDeclaring April as Second Chance Month highlights the importance of opening opportunities to formerly incarcerated workers and reducing obstacles to gainful employment so that we all have safer communities and our country is made stronger by a thriving workforce.\"\n\n\u201cSecond Chance Month is a representation to all of us about the power of forgiveness and the Second Chance programs are key in that,\u201d said Rep. Bacon. \u201cThey have helped reintegrate people back into society, heal families, and give much-needed mental health services. With the help of these support systems, individuals can become productive members of society, restoring dignity and respect to those who have served their time and want to contribute back to their communities and families.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere are millions of individuals in our country who have civil and criminal records that serve as barriers to obtaining education, technical skills, training, jobs, and government benefits,\u201d said Rep. Davis. \u201cSecond chances - and especially the Second Chance Act \u2013 help to reduce and remove these barriers. Therefore, I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing Second Chance Month. Second Chance Month honors the work of non-profit organizations, faith-based entities, communities, governments, employers, and individuals that help those with records gain the skills, education, and employment needed to thrive, thereby strengthening individuals, rebuilding families, and growing our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Alabama, I have seen firsthand how giving someone who is incarcerated hope by training them with a new skill can significantly impact the recidivism rates,\u201d said Rep. Moore. \u201cThe Lord shows us grace daily, and we should extend that same grace to individuals who have proven they are committed to rectifying their mistakes. This bipartisan resolution highlights the barriers that still exist for those with criminal records trying to reintegrate into their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn West Virginia, we know how important it is to provide everyone with opportunities to succeed. Recognizing April as Second Chance Month gives hope to those who are reentering the workforce after serving their time incarcerated. When we invest in our communities and put in place resources and support for people released from prisons and jails, we build stronger and safer communities,\u201d said Rep. Miller. \u201cThis resolution will bring more visibility to Second Chance programs that are instrumental in helping people across the nation get back on the right path as they reenter their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis country was founded on the promise of a new beginning,\u201d said Rep. McIver. \u201cThis bipartisan resolution to recognize April as \u2018Second Chance Month\u2019 will raise awareness for the barriers faced by previously incarcerated people and promote opportunities for them to create a new beginning for themselves.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica is a nation of second chances,\u201d said Senator Cramer. \u201cYet too often our criminal justice system focuses on punishment over redemption. I joined Senator Klobuchar in introducing a bipartisan resolution to designate April as Second Chance Month, recognizing those who have paid their debt to society and have earned a second chance to rebuild their lives, reclaim their futures, and positively contribute to their community.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the challenges facing those who have been formerly incarcerated,\u201d said Senator Klobuchar. \u201cPeople are capable of change and many deserve a second chance. This bipartisan resolution to recognize \u2018Second Chance Month\u2019 will bring awareness to these barriers and promote opportunities for those who have served their time to access stable jobs, continue their education, and become productive members of society again.\u201d\n\nBackground", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-resolution-introduced-declaring-april-second-chance-month"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7112869061529636, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}