[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E24-E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          INTRODUCTION OF RAPID DEPLOY- MENT FORCE LEGISLATION

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                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
establish a Rapid Deployment Force as an added resource of the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation. This force would be temporarily deployed by 
the FBI, to assist local authorities in investigating an increasing of 
crime in a particular municipality, due to an increase of drug or gang 
related activity. The Rapid Deployment Force would represent a 
partnership between the Federal, State, and local crime fighting 
entities.
  This past weekend in my hometown of Hartford, CT, a rash of crime 
broke out leaving four dead, another critically wounded, and three 
others injured from gunshot wounds. This final criminal outbreak of 
1994 brought the number of homicides in the city to 58, an increase of 
over 400 percent in the past 2 years. As the spread of drugs, and the 
city's 
[[Page E25]] gang problem continues to grow, the need for additional 
resources is evident. I am thankful that the recently enacted crime 
bill is bringing more cops on the beat into our Nation's cities and 
towns. I commend the Attorney General and the Department of Justice for 
their work in ensuring the rapid appropriation of funds for the Cops on 
the Beat Program.
  However, it is not enough to just deploy more police officers on the 
street. A Federal Rapid Response team would bring with it resources and 
expertise that State and local governments cannot be expected to 
supply. I believe that a Rapid Deployment Force is essential in 
investigating and combating crime in towns and cities when drug and 
gang related activities escalate. And I urge my colleagues to support 
this important crime fighting legislation.


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