[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 CONGRESS MUST PASS A TOUGH CRIME BILL

                                 ______


                             HON. TOBY ROTH

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, the senseless killing of two Japanese tourists 
in California tragically underscores what I've heard from people in 
northeast Wisconsin and the thousands of questionnaire responses they 
have sent to me in Washington: It's time to get tough on criminals.
  People are concerned about rising crime rates and they are demanding 
action. And with good reason: Statistics show that every year, nearly 5 
million Americans are victims of violent crime. Another 19 million are 
victims of property crime.
  A murder is committed every 21 minutes in the United States. A rape, 
every 5 minutes. A robbery, every 46 seconds. Why such staggering 
figures? Because we aren't keeping criminals in prison.
  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 69 percent of young 
adults released from prison are arrested again within 6 years, after 
committing an average of 13 new crimes. Overall, 7 percent of criminals 
commit 70 percent of all violent crimes. The numbers are frightening, 
and they should make us all very angry.
  Americans are fed up. It's time for a new approach to fighting crime, 
one based on the premise that if a thug is behind bars, he can't commit 
another murder, rape, or robbery.
  That's why Congress must pass a tough crime bill.
  The best solution to crime is to keep violent felons locked up. 
Here's how: We will allocate $10 billion to States to put more violent 
criminals behind bars, but only if States enact truth-in-sentencing 
laws. Truth-in-sentencing laws means a 30-year sentence is just that: 
30 years, no parole.
  Criminals aren't stupid. They know that in the unlikely event they 
are caught, tried, and convicted, they'll only serve a fraction of 
their sentences. Today's overburdened criminal justice system makes 
crime worth the risk.
  Our plan would change that. When punishment is inevitable, it is a 
true deterrent. This crime bill is the first step to changing the 
system. Criminals will think long and hard before committing an offense 
if they know they won't be back out on the street in a few months.
  Reform of the criminal justice system has been a long time coming. 
It's wrong that law-abiding Americans--who work hard, pay their taxes, 
and raise their kids--have to live in fear.
  Congress must work together to pass a bill that punishes criminals 
and protects victims--for a change.
  Mr. Speaker, we cannot rest until every man, woman, and child in 
American can walk down any street in American and feel safe. Congress 
must pass a tough, effective crime bill.

                          ____________________