[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                JUSTICE , COMMERCE, STATE APPROPRIATIONS

                                 ______


                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 20, 1995

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I arise today to express my 
great disappointment that this appropriation bill would replace the 
COPS programs, which have enjoyed such unequivocal support, with a law 
enforcement block grant. In my congressional district in Houston, TX, 
the COPS programs have placed 529 more officers on our streets. The 
COPS programs have played an integral part in reclaiming our 
neighborhoods.
  Throughout the Nation, in the course of 1 year alone, the COPS 
programs have been a proven success and have enabled local law 
enforcement to hire or redeploy 25,933 new community policing officers, 
who will serve 80 percent of all Americans.
  The COPS program has guaranteed more patrol police for our 
neighborhoods and cities, but the block grant which replaces the COPS 
program would jeopardize this guarantee and goes against the promise 
that the U.S. Congress made to the American people under the Violent 
Crime Control Act of 1994.
  Community policing has been successful at meeting public safety 
needs. Having police officers on foot patrol fosters stronger bonds 
between community residents and police officers. This partnership is 
particularly important at a time when there are many heightened 
tensions between law enforcement officers and residents of inner-city 
neighborhoods. The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement 
[NOBLE] has supported community policing as the only hope to regain the 
trust and respect necessary to providing quality police service to our 
citizens in many of these neighborhoods.
  Local law enforcement groups across the Nation have unequivocally 
endorsed the COPS programs. The majority of Americans also support 
community policing. In August 1995, the National Association of Police 
Organizations survey found that the American public overwhelmingly 
supports the COPS program over block grants to State and local 
governments for public safety use by 65 percent to 35 percent.
  Community police patrols are an essential line of defense against 
crime. We need to maintain our national commitment to carry out our 
promise of safety and increased police manpower.
  The public wants us to listen and not play politics with a program 
that is a proven success story. The COPS program has worked--keep it 
working to help prevent crime.
  Additionally, as a member of the women's caucus I fought for dollars 
for the program fighting against violence against women. If we pass a 
clean continuing resolution we will keep that money.

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