[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
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]


                              {time}  1040
 
               CRIME IS NO. 1 ISSUE ON MINDS OF AMERICANS

  (Mr. HOKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOKE. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Arkansas is exactly 
right, and for that reason we ought to look at the substance of this 
bill. That is what is really going on.
  Will this legislation put more criminals in prison, lock up more 
criminals for life, stop treating the criminals as victims and the 
victims as criminals? That is what the American people should look at 
as we debate this crime bill this week and we should not use 
partisanship as we just heard to divert the attention of the American 
people.
  Mr. Speaker, the approach to the crime bill is clearly not what it 
ought to be to get the effect of what we want to have happen. Where the 
majority worries about civil liberties, we are worried about victims' 
rights. Where this bill is seeking social spending for midnight 
basketball, we are seeking spending for prison construction. Where the 
majority wants understanding for the criminal, we want swift and fair 
justice.
  Mr. Speaker, crime is the No. 1 issue and concern on the minds of the 
American people. Let us not turn them down.

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