[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 112 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
       DEMOCRAT CRIME BILL MAKES NATION AS SAFE AS NEW YORK CITY

  (Mr. HUNTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, the American people spoke last night. 
Congressmen do what their constituents want when they are 3 months out 
from an election, and that is what happened in the House of 
Representatives last night.
  You know, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Schumer] offered us a 
crime bill that was intended to make our districts, our constituents, 
our voters, as safe as his district in New York City. And that was the 
problem.
  Let me just say that six victims-right groups contacted us in the 
Republican Research Committee, the presidents of these groups, Justice 
for murder Victims, Victims and Friends United, Advocates for Survivors 
of Violent Crime, Citizens for Law and Order, Organized Victims of 
Violent Crime, and League of Victims and Empathy. From across the 
Nation they contacted us, and their presidents came down against this 
crime bill.
  Let me tell you why. They were against it because they said it does 
not repeal prison caps, it does not include habeas corpus reform, and 
it does not provide for training for judges and prosecutors on victims 
rights. It contains no real truth-in-sentencing provisions. It 
eliminates provisions requiring mandatory restitution to victims of 
violent crimes.
  The people know what was in this bill. They did not want it. They do 
not want their districts to be as safe as Mr. Schumer's district in New 
York City.

                          ____________________