[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              AGAINST RACIAL QUOTAS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

  (Mr. CANADY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CANADY. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the House made substantial 
progress in fashioning a crime bill that will help strengthen law 
enforcement in America. Unfortunately, yesterday the House took a big 
step in the wrong direction by defeating the McCollum amendment, an 
amendment that would have removed the provisions of the bill which 
would effectively establish a racial quota system for imposition of the 
death penalty. These pernicious provisions could make considerations of 
race central to every death penalty case and would turn powers 
exercised by juries over to social scientists and statisticians. This 
is contrary to the fundamental principle of the American system of 
justice that an individual should be tried and sentenced on the basis 
of the facts of the particular case and without regard to race.
  The House will have an opportunity to correct yesterday's mistake by 
adopting the motion to recommit with instructions, which will be made 
later today. Anyone, any Member of this House who support a meaningful 
and effective death penalty must support the motion to recommit.

                          ____________________