[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 103 (Monday, August 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 1, 1994]


 
                          PASS THE CRIME BILL

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, this week, we are ready to pass a crime 
bill that is the largest commitment to stopping crime that Congress has 
ever considered.
  I understand that not everyone is happy with a few provisions in the 
crime bill. I, for example, have problems with the assault weapons ban 
which is a part of the bill.
  However, I am willing to put aside my few objections and stand here 
in support of a crime bill our constituents claim is the single most 
important issue affecting their lives.
  We must look at the entire bill and recognize the provisions such as 
more law enforcement, more prisons, and more crime prevention programs, 
which will effectively stop crime.
  All of us in Congress, no matter what party we represent, must put 
aside all of our disagreements. We must stand here together in support 
of legislation which sends the message to criminals that we will no 
longer turn our heads to their actions.
  I commend the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Brooks], and the minority for bringing us a 
good bill.
  Mr. Speaker, all across the Nation, each and every American has been 
telling us to make their schools, neighborhoods, and homes safe again.
  At various town meetings in my district in New Mexico, my 
constituents continue to ask when Congress will pass the crime bill. I 
hope that within a few days, I will be able to tell them that the crime 
bill has passed and will soon become law.
  The point is, Mr. Speaker, that all Members must stop analyzing and 
searching for every small portion of the legislation which they do not 
completely agree with.
  It is time for all Members to accomplish passing legislation so that 
we can tell everyone back home that action is being taken.
  We all know that this crime bill is filled with strong, effective 
provisions that every American has been asking for. Furthermore, out of 
the $33 billion that will address a variety of anti-crime strategies, 
$30.2 billion will be financed through the saving coming from the 
elimination of 270,000 Federal jobs. So let's not wait any longer. 
Let's pass this crime bill now and get the job done.

  President Clinton has called upon Congress to vote for a crime 
package that is strong, smart and tough. A package that will punish 
offenders, yet will also promote measures to prevent crime. This crime 
bill does just that--it punishes criminals and offers good prevention 
measures.
  This crime bill sends the message to repeat offenders that enough is 
enough. It tells them that if you do violence to others, you will be 
punished. The ``three strikes you're out'' provision will send 
criminals with three serious offenses to prison for life.
  Those who commit certain Federal offenses will also be subject to the 
death penalty making this crime bill tough on criminals.
  Smart crime prevention measures are also included in this crime bill. 
Literally billions of dollars will be directed to youth crime 
prevention including measures to keep kids occupied and off the 
streets. This crime bill also allows grants to develop more effective 
programs to reduce juvenile gang participation and juvenile drug 
trafficking. It also supports drug treatment programs within State and 
local correctional facilities.
  Prevention measures in the bill focus on kids by, for example, 
creating youth recreation programs which will give young people an 
opportunity to exercise athletics in the hopes that this will build 
teamwork incentives and get them off the streets.
  Furthermore, with 100,000 new cops on the beat, criminals will want 
to think twice before harming anyone. And let us make sure that we not 
forget rural areas in community policing. This measure should not just 
benefit big cities like Los Angeles and New York, but small communities 
as well.
  Everyone, from the mayor to the high school student, must realize 
that stopping crime is a joint effort, and the battle against crime 
will not be won unless everyone participates. For this reason, our 
crime bill helps local governments and local police find new ways to 
best protect those who live in their communities. The best solutions to 
crime are local, and this bill emphasizes local solutions.
  Again, I stand here to ask every Member of Congress to have the 
courage to put our differences aside, and unite in a joint effort to 
pass legislation which will effectively and substantially stop crime.

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