FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1996                         (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888
            ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO NAMES KENT MARKUS
            TO MANAGE NEW YOUTH VIOLENCE INITIATIVE

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno today
appointed senior Justice Department official Kent Markus to lead
the Department's stepped-up national attack on youth violence.

     Markus has managed law enforcement efforts at the state and
federal level, and has held a number of senior Justice Department
positions managing major initiatives.  He will hold the title of
Counsellor to the Attorney General for Youth Violence.  

     "We know that juvenile violence is getting worse, even as
overall crime rates drop," said Reno.  "Kent Markus will help us
focus as never before on this problem.  He has the skills and the
know-how to forge partnerships, get things done and make a
difference." 

     In his position, Markus will work with other agencies, state
and local leaders, law enforcement, groups, entertainment figures
and others to develop and coordinate efforts to fight youth
violence.  He will also work with Attorney General Reno, numerous
Justice Department offices and U.S. Attorneys across the country
to help ensure that the Department's youth violence enforcement
efforts are coordinated and kept at a high priority.

     "It is time to use every tool we have.  We will draw upon
grants, enforcement authority and the power of leadership to
provide assistance, form partnerships and energize our
communities -- state and local governments, churches and
synagogues, businesses, schools, community groups, parents and
everyday citizens weary of the danger they and their children
face on our streets."

     Reno and Markus also said that fighting drug abuse and
trafficking was integral to fighting youth violence.

     Beginning to define the approach he plans to take in
developing this national initiative, Markus indicated that "It is
important that we use every possible messenger to carry the word
that violence by our young people simply will not be tolerated. 
Parents, teachers, police officers, judges, and clergy can all be
effective messengers.  We also have to use the messengers who we
know have the ears of our young people -- musicians, sports
figures, television and movie actors and other popular culture
icons."

     Reno reinforced her ongoing personal commitment by
indicating she would focus a substantial portion of her 1996
public activities on youth violence.  "We must fight this battle
with a combination of vigorous punishment and crime prevention
techniques.  Those who terrorize their neighbors and communities
must be convicted and jailed.  We must also work to prevent our
young people from committing violent crimes in the first place."  

     "Kent Markus is the right person to lead this effort," Reno
added.  He has demonstrated time and again an ability to turn
ideas into action.  There is no more time for studies,
conferences, or action plans -- it is time for us all to act.  I
am looking to him for results."

     Markus is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.  A graduate of
Northwestern University and an honors graduate of Harvard Law
School, he formerly served as Chief of Staff to the Ohio Attorney
General.  Markus has been with the U.S. Justice Department since
1994, where he managed the implementation of the Brady Law and
the 1994 Crime Law, established and served as Acting Director of
the COPS office, and most recently served as Acting Assistant
Attorney General and Chief Counsel in the Department's Office of
Legislative Affairs.

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96-043