[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              H.R. 4092, OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL ACT OF 1994

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                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 1994

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, in the past, I have noted here on the 
House floor that we really debate fear in this Chamber when we consider 
legislation to address crime. We talk a lot about the fear our 
constituents have when walking the streets of their neighborhoods; the 
fear they have for their safety and that of their children.
  However, what we rarely seem to talk about is the fear the criminals 
should have regarding our Criminal Justice System. That's because they 
don't have any fear of a revolving-door system that too often sees them 
returned to the street to prey upon their victims again and again. They 
don't fear punishment that is uncertain and appeals that are endless. 
On the contrary, they are laughing at us and our system.
  We have the opportunity now to give our Nation and our constituents a 
crime bill with teeth. We need to do that, Mr. Speaker, because violent 
crime is a booming business across our Nation today--up 500 percent 
since 1960. That's 500 percent. Not 5, not 50, but 500 percent, and 
that is a disgrace.
  Every year, some 5 million people are victims of violent crime, a 
murder every 24 minutes, a rape every 6 minutes, a robbery every 55 
seconds, an assault every 33 seconds. Yet, on average, violent 
offenders serve only 5\1/2\ years for murder, 3 years for rape, 2\1/4\ 
years for robbery and 1.28 years for assault. That's a disgrace as 
well.
  It is essential that Congress provide the tools to fight this 
scourage at all levels of society--from our borders to our school 
yards--and to provide severe and mandatory penalties for criminals.
  We must instill fear and respect in those who would break our laws. 
Whether prisons should serve to rehabilitate or punish isn't really the 
issue. The issue is crime prevention, and I believe we can only achieve 
that by increasing both the likelihood and the certainty of legal 
sanctions.
  Mr. Chairman, let's craft a tough anti-crime bill, and get it enacted 
into law. Let's do something for the thousands of Americans living in 
fear. Let's put fear back into the heart of the criminals who prey upon 
us all.

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