[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  FEAR AND PAIN OF CRIME IN THE NATION

                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 1994

  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I was handed the enclosed poems by a 
young man named Joe Ford at the June 4 ``Beat the Street'' walkathon in 
Denver. I was deeply moved by his poem, and as the timing coincides 
with our consideration of the crime bill conference report, I want to 
share it with my colleagues in the House. Joe's words remind us of the 
reality on the streets and take us beyond this room to the truth--the 
fear and pain--of crime in this Nation. After reading this poem, it is 
difficult to question the importance of the work we are doing here 
today.

                                The End

     1993 was a bad summer for me,

     Violence started and didn't stop.
     It was like a war zone
     Everyone was getting popped.

     Pop pop as the cylinder rotated
     The bullet from the gun
     Was hitting everyone in its way.

                           The End--Part Two

     Mothers and fathers who cried a
     River of tears
     To bury their child who
     Didn't make it this year,

     As each summer comes and goes
     I'll always remember that violence
     Has claimed its toll.

  His message is certainly an important one and his words express it 
powerfully.

                          ____________________