[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 40 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 14, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              SUPPORT SOUGHT FOR OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL ACT

  (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, the President is to be commended for 
his leadership in addressing the crime plague ravaging America. 
President Clinton and the Attorney General, in their numerous visits to 
towns and cities across America, have personally witnessed the great 
need for added mechanisms and resources that will enable localities to 
strengthen their fight against crime.
  The crime bill before the House provides all of us with an 
opportunity to deliver to the American people. This bill covers a 
multitude of issues which relate to crime. Although obviously this is 
not a perfect bill, it does provide a reasonable and balanced three-
prong approach which addresses the key components that together will 
deter crime, which are: prevention, enforcement, and punishment.
  Not all elements please every Member of this House and we could 
probably come up with 440 versions of a crime bill. Nevertheless, the 
bill before us has been carefully crafted after many months of 
deliberations and takes into consideration the many concerns expressed 
by all of us on both sides of the aisle.
  The crime crisis is affecting our families, our friends and neighbors 
every day and they have lost their patience. They cannot wait any 
longer. Every jurisdiction and the entire criminal justice system needs 
many of the provisions contained in this bill. We must keep in mind 
that unfortunately, the crime wave has intricately interconnected our 
districts in a very negative way. For example, according to DEA and FBI 
reports, in district--Puerto Rico--has become the major transshipment 
point of drugs between the South American drug producers and the 
mainland. Local resources are stretched to the limit and more 
importantly, the drug plague has penetrated all sectors of our society 
and is having a detrimental effect that touches many of the 3.6 million 
American citizens of Puerto Rico.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass the Omnibus Crime Control 
Act without further delay. This bill contains provisions and resources 
to counterattack the existing crime wave. The American people are 
yearning for results and this House can make a critical difference by 
passing the crime bill.

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