[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 87 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 3355, VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND 
                      LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1994

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM LEWIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 1994

  Mr. LEWIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my support for 
subtitle E of title VIII of the Senate crime bill, and for the motion 
to instruct House conferees on H.R. 3355 to not agree to a report that 
does not contain this important provision. Had I been present I would 
have voted ``yes'' on last night's motion to instruct.
  This title clarifies the right of judges to allow prosecutors, when 
appropriate, to use available evidence demonstrating that defendants in 
sexual assault or child molestation cases have previously committed 
similar sexual offenses. This section does not require such evidence to 
be used, but rather reinforces the judge's authority to admit such 
testimony when he or she sees fit.
  Many of those who commit crimes of sexual assault and child 
molestation have a terrible history of sexually violent and abusive 
behavior, terrorizing victim after victim with circumstances making it 
difficult to prosecute effectively. This provision will help break many 
of these chains of violence, by allowing the relevant facts of a sexual 
predator's past to be used against him. I trust our judicial system to 
ensure this practice will not tread on the presumption of a defendant's 
innocence, or in any way dilute the right of a fair and speedy trial.

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