[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 31 (Thursday, February 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANTS ACT OF 1995

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                               speech of

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 728) to 
     control crime by providing law enforcement block grants.

  Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer this amendment en bloc 
with my colleagues; Mr. Wynn of Maryland, Mr. Baldacci of Maine, and 
Mr. Sanders of Vermont. I have shared it with my friends on the other 
side of the aisle, and I believe it has their support.
  This issue was recently brought to my attention by Colonel Culhane, 
chief of Rhode Island's State Police, who told me that State law 
enforcement agencies would not be eligible to receive any of the 
funding earmarked for police in cities and towns. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the 
State police provide many of the small and rural towns in New England, 
including Vermont and Maine, with critical police protection.
  For example, in Exeter, RI, a small town in my district, there is no 
local police force. When a person dials 911, the State police receive 
the phone call, and State officers respond. In other towns like 
Richmond, RI, the local government cannot afford to operate a police 
force 24-hours a day, and the State police are called upon to fill the 
void.
  Under current law, State police forces are eligible for COPS and 
prevention grant programs. According to the Justice Department, several 
State police agencies, including the Maine State Police, have applied 
for and received COPS funding.
  We ought to be consistent in making these funds available for all law 
enforcement agencies that provide protection to our cities and towns. 
That is what my amendment would do. My amendment would restore 
eligibility for those State agencies that perform the same role as the 
local police departments that are eligible to receive funds under the 
block grant. It would give State law enforcement agencies a fair shake 
at getting the funding they deserve.
  Although this amendment does not solve the problem completely, I 
believe it is a step in the right direction, and I hope to continue to 
work with Mr. McCollum as this bill goes to conference.


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