[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]

 
                       CRIME BILL IS BADLY FLAWED

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                               speech of

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 1994

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, although I voted for final passage of H.R. 
4092, the Omnibus Crime Control Act, I recognize that this legislation 
remains flawed. Nonetheless, given the enormity of the problem of crime 
in communities around the country, I believe it is important that the 
bill be worked on in conference, so that we can craft a crime bill that 
will truly target criminals and make our streets safer.
  There are many provisions contained in the text of the bill that 
should be dropped or substantially changed in conference committee. The 
most egregious is title IX, the Racial Justice Act, which would allow 
death sentences to be reversed retroactively based solely on racial 
statistics. The last thing this country needs is quota in our Criminal 
Justice System.
  There are many other problems with the bill as it now stands, 
including inadequate truth-in-sentencing, weakened mandatory minimum 
sentences, a lack of exclusionary reforms ensuring criminals do not get 
off on technicalities when police gather evidence in good faith without 
a warrant, and a lack of constitutional procedures to streamline habeas 
procedures. Furthermore, it includes over $8 billion in ``Great 
Society'' grants for recreation job training, and social services, with 
no requirement that the funds be used for anticrime programs.
  I am hopeful that the conferees will address my concerns in 
conference, as I and many of my colleagues are eager to see enacted a 
comprehensive crime bill that will effectively respond to America's 
serious crime problem.

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