[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H1620]]
                 WE MUST REFORM LAST YEAR'S CRIME BILL

  (Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton's crime bill of 1994 was 
either a masterstroke of genius or it was a joke wrapped around a sham 
surrounded by a barrel of pork. I'm inclined to agree the latter 
possibility is closer to the truth.
  The proponents of last year's crime bill proclaimed from every 
rooftop that 100,000 police would be put on the streets. What they 
didn't tell anyone was that local governments had to cough up 25 
percent of the cost of fielding these police officers. With most local 
and State governments cracking under the strain of other Federal 
mandates, many localities could not afford yet another mandate.
  Mr. Speaker, we must reform last year's crime bill and help local 
governments by giving them block grants instead of punishing them with 
more mandates.
  Local control and local problem solving from those on the front line 
combating crime, that is the key, not one-size-fits-all from an 
idiocracy ensconced on the banks of the Potomac.
  Mr. Speaker, Americans spoke last November 8. They continue to speak 
through this Contract With America. We will enact it and we will get 
tough on crime.

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