[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM

 Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, the tragedy that took place on 
April 19 at the Federal building in Oklahoma City was an unspeakable 
horror. This was a cowardly and heinous act by deranged people whose 
obsessions led to the killing of innocent men, women, and children. I 
want the people who perpetrated this act to be hunted down and to be 
appropriately, quickly, and harshly dealt with by our criminal justice 
system.
   The tragic bombing at Oklahoma City has sparked a debate in our 
country about how to prevent a tragedy of this type from occurring 
again. It is important to understand that in a free country it is 
virtually impossible to provide any ironclad protection against the 
violent acts of deranged people. But part of being free is the 
requirement to ensure civil order. That is the job that we ask our law 
enforcement officials to do.
   The question we must now ask ourselves is how can we protect 
Americans without infringing on the liberties guaranteed by the 
Constitution. People have a constitutional right to criticize their 
government and the institutions of this Nation. This right not only 
applies to people we like--our neighbors and our friends--it also 
applies to people we do not like and associations we do not care for. 
This right must be preserved.
   The Oklahoma City bombing has also sparked a debate about militia 
groups in our country. People have every right to join organizations. 
However, I have heard some militia leaders say the Federal Government 
is their avowed enemy when they have been interviewed on television 
programs. Some of them talk in terms of violence and battles. I think 
that is an unhealthy attitude and I think that thinking can lead to 
violence.
   I want to emphasize my commitment to preserving the fundamental 
freedoms that are guaranteed to all Americans under our Constitution. 
But I also want to emphasize that I join those in our country who want 
to send a message to the people who cross the line between criticizing 
our government and advocating or resorting to violence or terrorism. 
There is no constitutional right to commit violence in our country. 
There is no constitutional right to kill innocent men, women, and 
children. And those who do should be dealt with aggressively by our law 
enforcement agencies.
   It is important that we discuss these issues in a thoughtful, 
reasonable, and constructive way. In America, we can disagree without 
being disagreeable. We can have a debate without shouting. And we can 
work together to fix things that are wrong in this country and to make 
this a better place. Most importantly, we should protect and cherish 
our constitutional rights. One of those rights is to live in a free 
country--free from the unspeakable horrors that were perpetrated on 
innocent people in Oklahoma City.


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