[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 98 (Monday, July 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH DAY

  Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further 
consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 374) designating 
August 2, 1994, as ``National Neighborhood Crime Watch Day,'' and ask 
for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield for 
an explanation to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Stupak], who is the 
chief sponsor of House Joint Resolution 374.
  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 374, 
which designates August 2, 1994, as ``National Neighborhood Crime Watch 
Day'' to commemorate the National Night Out.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution enjoys widespread support in this 
Chamber, as it took me less than 48 hours to obtain over 200 signatures 
from my colleagues.
  Madam Speaker, National Night Out is designed so communities across 
our country can band together to show law enforcement officials that we 
stand ready to assist them in taking back our streets and neighborhoods 
from criminals, drugs and violence.
  National Night Out involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic 
groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and local elected 
officials from 8,650 communities from all 50 States, United States 
territories, some Canadian cities, and United States military bases 
world wide. In all, it is estimated that 26.5 million people 
participated in National Night Out 1993.
  To help make National Night Out more successful in 1994, I urge my 
colleagues to ask their constituents to turn their lights on between 9 
p.m. and 10 p.m. on August 2 to show our Nation's law enforcement 
officials that we support them.
  House Joint Resolution 374 takes National Night Out a step further. 
This resolution, with Presidential approval, would solidify into law 
the commemoration of the National Night Out program in 1994.
  Madam Speaker, our Nation's law enforcement officials have accepted 
great responsibility, subjected themselves to great personal risk and 
often made the supreme sacrifice to keep America's streets and 
neighborhoods free from crime.
  But, law enforcement cannot single-handedly defeat these tragic 
elements in our society. It has been proven that when communities band 
together with law enforcement, be it Neighborhood Watch or other 
programs, they demonstrate the kind of moral resolve that sends a much 
stronger message to criminals than anything law enforcement can do by 
themselves.
  Madam Speaker, next Tuesday outdoor lights will hang in cities, towns 
and neighborhoods throughout this country to celebrate National Night 
Out. A variety of events, like cookouts, visits with local police 
officers, and other youth programs will also take place. National Night 
Out has proven to be an effective and inexpensive way for communities 
to show that they want to help law enforcement reclaim their streets 
and neighborhoods.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to bring this message to cities, 
towns and neighborhoods in your congressional districts. Tell your 
local police officers that you stand with them in their fight against 
crime.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. I thank my colleagues who cosponsored and I 
thank the Chairman, the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay], for his 
prompt attention to this resolution.
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, further reserving the right to object, as 
a cosponsor, I rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 374, 
which designates August 2, 1994, as ``National Neighborhood Crime Watch 
Day.''
  Statistics on violent crime are alarming, indicative that something 
must be done. Crime affects virtually every neighborhood and every 
citizen in our great Nation. Violent crime is an evil that lowers our 
potential, robs us of our youth, and tears away at the very heart of 
America.
  One tactic that has proven to be especially successful in our fight 
against crime is neighborhood crime prevention programs that confront 
violent crime on a block-by-block, neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis. 
Communities have joined together with law enforcement officials and 
refused to give in to the scourge of crime, showing that positive 
changes can be wrought at the most local level in our society.
  Madam Speaker, it is in recognition of this success that we pay 
tribute to the National Neighborhood Crime Watch Program. Neighborhood 
watches and community policing have succeeded over the years in uniting 
citizens to protect their homes and their communities. Neighborhood 
crime watch programs across the country have provided a beacon of hope 
and a bastion of safety in areas formerly feared for their dangerous 
crime rates, making communities across the Nation better places in 
which to work, play, go to school, and raise a family. The Neighborhood 
Watch Programs have helped to weaken the foundations of this national 
problem, making it more difficult for violent crime to grow and 
flourish.
  In recognizing National Neighborhood Crime Watch Day, we are paying 
tribute to a special group of brave and dedicated Americans who have 
taken a stand and are doing their part to fight crime and violence. 
Their involvement in neighborhood crime watches not only improves their 
quality of life, but also provides an invaluable service to our Nation. 
These community leaders deserve our praise, our recognition, and our 
heartfelt thanks.
  Madam Speaker, I urge our colleagues to join in supporting this 
important resolution.

                              {time}  1900

  Madam Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Thurman). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 374

       Whereas neighborhood crime is of continuing concern to the 
     American people;
       Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime requires 
     people to work together in cooperation with law enforcement 
     officials;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations are 
     effective at promoting awareness about, and the participation 
     of volunteers in, crime prevention activities at the local 
     level;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch groups can contribute to 
     the Nation's war on drugs by helping to prevent their 
     communities from becoming markets for drug dealers; and
       Whereas citizens across America will soon take part in a 
     ``National Night Out'', a unique crime prevention event which 
     will demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of 
     community participation in crime prevention efforts by having 
     people spend the period from 8 to 9 o'clock postmeridian on 
     August 2, 1994, with their neighbors in front of their homes: 
     Now, therefore, be it.
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That August 
     2, 1994, is designated as ``National Neighborhood Crime Watch 
     Day'', and the President is authorized and requested to issue 
     a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States 
     to observe such day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
     and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment of the 
joint resolution.
  The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed.


             amendment to the preamble offered by mr. wynn

  Mr. WYNN. Madam Speaker, I offer an amendment to the preamble.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment to the preamble offered by Mr. Wynn: In the last 
     whereas clause strike ``8 to 9'' and insert ``9 to 10''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the amendment to the 
preamble offered by the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Wynn],
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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