[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         NOT A TOUGH CRIME BILL

  (Mr. EVERETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, why is it that conservative Republicans and 
Democrats do not support the crime bill, but liberal Democrats do 
support it?
  Does anyone believe if this was really tough anti-crime legislation 
that conservatives would not support the bill? Come on, let us get back 
to reality here. This crime bill is an ineffective response to an 
incredible problem.
  Our criminal justice system does not work because criminals rarely 
face justice. And the frustration most Americans feel about that 
reality is what drives their desire for a tough crime bill. The liberal 
impulse on crime no longer resonates with the American people. It is 
not society's fault that criminals commit crimes: It is the criminals' 
fault.
  But the crime bill perpetuates the myth that criminals are not at 
fault when they commit their heinous crimes. The crime bill seeks to 
build self-esteem. It gives social welfare workers more money for vague 
and poorly thought-out programs.
  Write a good, tough bipartisan crime bill, Congress, and it will 
pass.

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