[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 172 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16633-S16634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR BYRNE GRANT FUNDING

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, the Edward Byrne Grant Program is 
one of the most successful Federal-State crime prevention efforts ever. 
Working in partnership with State and local governments, the Byrne 
Program helps local law enforcement improve their criminal justice 
systems and make communities safer by helping to prevent crime.
  Law enforcement officials all across Iowa have told me of the success 
they have had as a result of these funds. Drug enforcement task forces, 
improved law enforcement technology, the DARE Program, domestic 
violence intervention, and countless other valuable antidrug and 
anticrime efforts have been possible because of the Byrne Grant 
Program.
  Unfortunately, Mr. President, violence, like a communicable disease, 
has spread to every part of our country and our State. To eradicate 
this epidemic of violence we must attack both the problem and the 
symptoms. While the Federal Government cannot have all the answers, the 
Byrne Program is an important part of the solution. Byrne funding 
enhances law enforcement initiatives focused on battling criminals 
already invading our streets, as well as aiding law enforcement in 
their ongoing efforts to help communities prevent crime before it 
happens.
  The Byrne Program also promotes cooperation among State and local law 
enforcement agencies to improve the efficiency of their criminal 
justice systems. A shining example in Iowa is the multijurisdictional 
drug task forces that form the backbone of Iowa's effort to combat drug 
related crimes. These task forces are composed of State and 

[[Page S 16634]]

local law enforcement officers as well as State and local attorneys. 
They cover almost 70 of Iowa's 99 counties. Officers pool resources and 
equipment to carry out drug investigations and the attorneys provide 
legal advice to ensure a sound drug investigation. In Waterloo, IA, the 
State and local task force even works with the U.S. attorneys office to 
form a Federal, State and local crime fighting team.
  And Mr. President, like a one-two punch, the Byrne Program's special 
emphasis on drug abuse prevention gets to the heart of the problem and 
moves us toward a long-term solution to crime prevention. Violent 
crimes committed by youth have increased over 50 percent from 1988 to 
1992 and drugs are a major factor in many violent crimes. DARE--drug 
abuse resistance education programs, put police officers in schools 
talking to kids about drug abuse. DARE programs serve 70,000 Iowa 
students. Traditional drug abuse programs dwell on the harmful effects 
of drugs. Iowa's DARE programs help students recognize and resist the 
many subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol 
and other drugs.
  Violence in this country will be reduced because of officers on the 
front line making a difference in their community and getting the 
resources they need to do the job. The Byrne Grant Program is a 
critically important component in halting the increased incidences of 
crime and violence in our society.
  I was pleased that our push for increased funding for the Byrne Grant 
Program paid off. The fiscal year 1996 Commerce, State, Justice bill 
passed by the Senate, provides a $25 million increase over last year's 
funding. We need to build on the progress we have made in our fight 
against crime and continue to support successful and effective programs 
such as the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement 
Assistance.

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