[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          PASS THE CRIME BILL

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, last week, the House began debate on a 
historic crime bill that is both tough and smart. It contains tough new 
penalties for violent, repeat offenders and it contains smart new 
programs to steer our kids clear of crime and drugs. Punishment and 
prevention. This bill contains both.
  But, while most agree that this bill is the most sweeping anticrime 
legislation that has come out of Congress in decades, sadly there are 
still those in this Chamber who see only political opportunity in an 
issue of vital importance to Americans. In fact, last week, one Member 
wrote in a letter to his Republican colleagues saying, and I quote:
  ``If we work together, we can defeat this bill and craft a real crime 
bill that will give the crime issue back to Republicans for the 
upcoming elections.''
  And we wonder why the American public holds this body in low esteem? 
This is a cynical (and shameful) political strategy. It belittles this 
historic legislation and ignores the pain and fear of real people. Real 
people like Jeffrey Brown.
  Yesterday, 18-year-old Jeffrey Brown was shot and killed in broad 
daylight in my hometown of New Haven. It doesn't matter to the family 
of Jeffrey Brown who gets credit for this crime bill. All they know is 
for them it is too late. We need to put politics aside--pass this crime 
bill and pass it now.

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