[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             BETTER TRAINING FOR PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS

  (Mr. MARTINEZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago this House defeated my 
amendment to add the language of H.R. 1534 to the omnibus crime bill.
  I am convinced that the opposition to that amendment was based on 
misperceptions and misunderstanding of the amendment.
  I intend to bring this bill back to the Members in an appropriate 
form.
  The bottom line is that this bill would result in better training for 
private security officers.
  But more importantly, it would also ensure that States can 
effectively prevent convicted criminals from being given badges, 
uniforms, and weapons and placed in a position of trust.
  The Wall Street Journal reported on April 26, 1994, that concerns 
about safety in shopping malls and other retail establishments cause 
many Americans to modify their shopping habits.
  Twenty-five percent of Americans expressed the view that they feel 
unsafe in shopping malls.
  Does anyone here doubt where the American public stands on this 
issue?
  Can anyone doubt the need for more effective training of these 
guardians of private property with public access?
  Over the next few days, I will be discussing each of the issues 
raised during the floor vote on my amendment.
  I urge my colleagues to listen closely to those statements.

                          ____________________