WASHINGTON–Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder, in Chicago on Wednesday in the wake of the latest outbreak of student violence in the city-this time at Fenger High School– are expected to meet privately with families, students and local officials impacted by this horrible crime. The two Obama cabinet members will breakfast with Mayor Daley at 7:30 a.m. joined by a selection of aldermen and religious and community leaders.
UPDATE 5:32 P.M. CHICAGO TIME
Holder, Duncan, Daley, Michael W. Scott, President, Chicago Board of Education, Ron Huberman, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools and Elizabeth Dozier, Principal, Fenger High School will discuss student violence at an 11 a.m. press conference at City Hall.
END UPDATE
Amy Brundage, a White House spokeswoman said in a statement,”President Obama is committed to combating violence on our streets and in our schools, both in Chicago — which has been particularly hard-hit — and around the nation. The Administration has focused on the issue of youth violence from the outset, hosting a gang violence prevention conference at the White House in August, making a multi-billion dollar investment in local law enforcement in the Recovery Act, and expanding support for local law enforcement through COPS and Byrne Grants.
“Tomorrow, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education will discuss this ongoing commitment directly with some of the families most affected by the horrific recent violence in Chicago.”
earlier, I filed:
WASHINGTON–Education Sec. Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder hit Chicago on Wednesday in the wake of a gang-related murder of a Fenger High School teen. The videotaped incident caught a lot of national attention and President Obama dispatched the two cabinet members back home to see what their presence can do to help. Holder and Duncan–a former Chicago public schools chief–will be meeting with local officials and students. There will be some sort of a press conference. I’m expecting details soon. Holder and Duncan will not be going to Fenger because it could be too disruptive.
Duncan, in a previously scheduled event, will also be delivering a speech in Chicago on Wednesday at the Westin Hotel before the Grant Makers for Education national conference.