[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      ON PASSAGE OF THE CRIME BILL

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 22, 1994

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to voice my 
support for the crime bill. It is a bill which is both tough and smart. 
It combines strong prevention initiatives, such as funding for antigang 
programs, and protection against domestic violence, as well as tough on 
crime measures like ``three-strikes-and-you're-out'' and truth in 
sentencing.
  The truth in sentencing amendment is especially important. I worked 
with the author of this amendment, Representative Chapman of Texas, to 
bring this important issue to the House floor. This amendment is so 
important to my home State of Oregon because of a tragic case involving 
the rape of a 4-year-old girl which was allegedly committed by a 
released convict, Russell Obremski. In 1969, Mr. Obremski embarked on a 
drug and alcohol binge which ended with the murder of two women. He was 
sentenced to two consecutive life terms. He was recently released 
having served only 25 years of his sentence. The truth in sentencing 
amendment I helped pass here in the House, had it been enacted in 
Oregon 25 years ago, would have kept Russell Obremski in jail, and this 
tragedy could have possibly been avoided. Had Oregon's truth in 
sentencing law been passed prior to 1968 rather than in 1989 it could 
have been avoided. The Oregon Department of Corrections fully supports 
this legislation.
  While this crime bill is not perfect, I feel that it's a balance 
between working to stop crime before it occurs, and severely punishing 
those who have broken the law. It is fair and should be commended. 
Earlier this year I sent a survey on crime to the residents of my 
district and received nearly 10,000 responses. The message from Oregon 
was clear: people want something done about crime. This bill is a first 
step and I look forward to voting on final passage of the crime bill 
when it comes out of conference with the Senate so President Clinton 
can finally sign this much needed legislation into law.

                          ____________________