[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   DEATH FOR THOSE WHO COMMIT TREASON

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, there is one crime which is so scurrilous 
in nature, that when it comes to light, the majority of Americans are 
united in their anger and utter disdain.
  The crime to which I refer is treason. Such acts of treachery cannot 
be equaled with respect to the long-term and damaging effects they have 
on our country's national security. When such an act results in the 
death of an agent acting on behalf of the United States, such a 
betrayal becomes even more heinous.
  Because I believe so strongly in bringing those individuals to 
justice when they commit such acts, I am proud to be a cosponsor and 
supporter of Congressman Bob Dornan's ``death penalty for espionage.'' 
Sadly, we have recently learned of such a case. I am, of course, 
referring to Aldrich Ames and his wife.
  To borrow a line from Robert Browning's ``The Lost Leader'':

     ``Just for a handful of silver he left us,
     Just for a riband to stick in his coat.''

  Mr. Speaker, I think those lines really sum it up. We must impose the 
maximum punishment under law and in certain cases of espionage such as 
the Ames case, we must impose the death penalty as a proper and just 
sentence.

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