[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              BLOCK GRANTS

  (Mr. DAVIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, today we will continue to consider the most 
critical element in the contract's anticrime bill regarding block 
grants. The choice before us is a simple one. Who are the most 
effective crime fighters? The Washington politicians or our local 
police officers?
  Some House Democrats believe they are the best crime fighters. That 
is why in last year's alleged crime bill, they mandated that billions 
of dollars go to social welfare programs under the guise of prevention. 
House Republicans have a different view. We believe that local police 
officials know their own communities better than we do and they know 
how to fight crime better in these communities and in the most 
effective manner. That is why we have designed a block grant proposal 
that gives these police officers the best chance to fight crime.
  Our friends on the other side of the aisle will claim that our 
proposal will mean fewer cops on the beat. Nothing could be further 
from the truth. I believe that our program will probably mean more 
funds go for more police officers on the front lines fighting crime.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in support of our local police forces by 
voting for the crime bill on the floor today.

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