[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 26, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: January 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1210
 
                THREE-TIME-LOSER LAWS GAINING POPULARITY

  (Mr. LIVINGSTON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LIVINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, that was a great idea, a great speech, 
and I applaud the gentleman that just preceded me.
  On January 24, Mr. Speaker, the Washington Post front page story 
reported on the popularity of the three-time-loser laws against violent 
repeat offender criminals. Thirty State legislatures are considering 
the sensible idea that a third-time violent felon should be jailed for 
life, and Governors, such as California's Pete Wilson and New York's 
Mario Cuomo agree.
  Yet, Mr. Speaker, that very same paper on that same day reported that 
my ``three strikes and you're out'' lifer bill, which has been in the 
House for the last year and a half to 2 years, faces a very difficult 
time in the House of Representatives. Why? I do not know.
  The President of the United States just last night endorsed the 
concept. One hundred eighty-seven Members have cosponsored my bill. I 
ask, ``Don't my other colleagues know that 6 percent of violent 
criminals commit 70 percent of all violent crime? Doesn't it make sense 
to lock up the worst of the people in our society forever?''
  Mr. Speaker, I think it does make sense. It is something we must do 
so that our families can walk their neighborhoods and their streets 
without fear.
  Let us stop making excuses and posturing politically. Let us pass a 
lifer bill, a meaningful lifer bill, now.

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