WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today was awarded the 2012 Congressional Champion Award from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators for his leadership in promoting college campus safety issues. Sen. Warner was honored for introducing legislation that would create a National Center for Campus Public Safety to strengthen training and research initiatives and improve collaboration among law enforcement professionals to better promote campus safety across the country. The CAMPUS Safety Act of 2011, which has passed the House of Representatives in previous Congresses under the leadership of U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), is currently pending in the Senate. 

“The CAMPUS Safety Act creates a one-stop-shop for quality research that will allow us to share best practices from around the country,” Sen. Warner said. “I am proud to be honored by these law enforcement professionals today, but we still have work to do to make sure we are providing the safest possible campus environment for our students.” 

IACLEA advances campus public safety for its more than 1,200 educational institution members and 2,000 individual members by providing educational resources, advocacy, and professional development services. 

"IACLEA is pleased to recognize Senator Warner for his steadfast efforts to support campus public safety in the U.S. Senate," said IACLEA President Paul V. Verrecchia.

“For the families of victims and survivors of campus tragedies, this bill represents an opportunity to house the experts and experience necessary to address all types of campus emergencies, be they natural or man-made,” the Virginia Tech Victims Family Foundation said in a statement. “It would identify effective practices, streamline information and implement training. It would be a cost-effective and simple way to save lives.”