[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]

 
  APPROVAL OF THE VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT, H.R. 
                                  4092

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 1994

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4092, the 
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. The bill contains 
provisions which show our strong commitment to combat the escalating 
crime problem in the United States.
  With this in mind, though, I must voice my concern regarding specific 
provisions of the bill which were adopted. As an opponent of capital 
punishment, racial bias, and limited death row appeals, I strongly 
oppose the amendments which were offered by Representatives Hyde, 
Gekas, and McCollum and ultimately passed by the House of 
Representatives. Mr. Speaker, these amendments restrict prisoners 
rights to judicial access which they are entitled under the U.S. 
Justice system.
  On the other hand, I am pleased to see that the provision which bars 
execution of prisoners who demonstrate that their death sentence was 
imposed because of racial discrimination was retained in the bill. This 
provision permits the use of statistical evidence to demonstrate racial 
discrimination in imposing the death penalty, thus, it preserves an 
important element of balance and fairness.
  In response to President Clinton's call for a ``strong, smart, 
tough'' crime package, I support H.R. 4092, because it represents the 
largest commitment of Federal dollars to the crime package in U.S. 
history. At the same time, though, I must make it clear that I have 
been, and will remain, opposed to provisions which limit citizens 
rights to judicial access, and I especially oppose the capital 
punishment provisions in the legislation.

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