[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 120 (Sunday, August 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           CRIME WILL NOT WAIT FOR PASSAGE OF THE CRIME BILL

  (Mr. FILNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the crime 
bill. This bill sets out to do many historic, important things that can 
truly make a difference in the lives of our constituents back home and 
in the lives of all Americans.
  This crime bill is a major accomplishment. Let me tell you why I 
support it.
  Recently, the San Diego City Council renamed a street in my district. 
Now that is not so unusual, it happens all the time. But this time it 
was special--they renamed it ``Willie James Jones Avenue.'' Willie was 
not an inventor, or a local educator or a philanthropist. But he could 
have been--if his life was not taken away at an early age due to 
violent crime.
  Willie was a student body president and a star athlete at Lincoln 
Prep High School in my district. At age 18, he was ready to do great 
things. He had just accepted a 4-year scholarship to Cornell 
University--my alma mater. He was ready to go to college and work hard 
to become a doctor and worked during his summers as a lab assistant to 
continue his education.
  I had the opportunity to meet Willie when we hosted Secretary of 
Veterans' Affairs Jesse Brown in San Diego last March. Both Secretary 
Brown and I were impressed with this young man and his dedication to 
working hard and planning for a productive future.
  Willie was killed on June 16 by a single bullet fired from a passing 
car, as he and his friend left a sober graduation party, attended by 60 
students and parents.
  Willie was the type of kid that all of us hope to have. He was a role 
model to his friends and a joy to his family. But all of the promise of 
his life was cut short due to an act of violence.
  This crime bill alone is not the whole answer--but it is a great 
beginning. It is because of years of neglect in dealing with violent 
crime that young people like Willie are lost forever. Their 
contributions are lost--due to senseless brutal acts of crime. Let us 
pass this bill and ensure that others like Willie can be saved from 
violence. Today, I vote for this crime bill for Willie Jones--and for 
the many others who have lost their future because we have waited too 
long to act. Today, finally, let us act.

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