[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]

 
                      THIS BILL IS TOUGH ON CRIME

  (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the moment of truth has finally 
arrived. During the course of the last several months we have heard 
much tough talk and posturing about getting tough on crime, lock' em up 
and throwing away the key, and ``three strikes and you're out.''
  Yesterday, the House began debate on a Democratic-backed omnibus 
crime bill that by any set of standards is both far reaching and tough. 
And many of my colleagues can't stand it.
  Right or wrong, this crime bill makes 66 new crimes punishable by the 
death penalty. It includes the three strikes language. It includes $3 
billion for new prison construction that will put bars between 
criminals and our families. In short, this bill makes sure that those 
who do the crime will do the time.
  Now that the moment of truth is here and the Democrats have produced 
a tough crime bill. We cant expect many of our colleagues to launch a 
series of barrages, distortions, and half-truths.
  All of this from the same people who say, on the one hand, that 
they're tough on crime, but are against a 5-day waiting period. The 
same people who say they are against crime but are also against a ban 
on assault weapons used in drive-by shootings and other random acts of 
violence.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people want action and they want it now. 
They are sick of finger pointing. Much of what we have done in the past 
did not work, Mr. Speaker. Let us pass a crime bill that works. Let us 
try some new approaches.

                          ____________________