[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 50 (Thursday, April 18, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3583-H3584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DANGER OF A COMMUNIST COMEBACK TO THE WEST
(Mr. HYDE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, those of us who thought the end of the cold
war ended the danger of communism to the West had better think again.
The headline on the front page of the New York Times recently read
``Fear of a Communist Comeback Has Many in Russia Packing Bags.''
With all our attention on the advance of communism in Russia, we have
taken our eyes off the resurgence of Stalinist style communism that
threatens elsewhere. Next Sunday, the Italian people go to the polls in
what is their most important election, for they must make a basic
choice: Will they select these Communists, no matter what name they
call themselves, to rule their nation?
We may be appalled by the thought, but it is not difficult to achieve
in this disordered political system. These are the facts: There are
more than 20 political parties. The center right is projected to win 45
percent of the vote. The Communists under the banner of ``Progressive
Democrats of the Left'' will have 21 percent. A union of members of the
discredited parties of the past will add 14 percent. The Northern
League will probably give its 5 to 7 percent to make it 40 percent.
That leaves the Stalinist Communist Refoundation Party with its 11
percent. They are the swing vote, and the left must join them if they
want to rule. Thus, Stalinist Communists will write national policy.
This scenario played out in the recent election for mayor of Rome.
At issue in this campaign is electoral reform. The center right
parties want an American Presidential-type government, elected directly
by the people, not by the political parties. The Communists bitterly
oppose. They are against it, they say, and hold on to your hats with
this one, because it is not democratic.
I bring this to your attention because what happens in Italy has
consequences for NATO, Europe, and ultimately the rest of the world.
[[Page H3584]]
STOP CODDLING CRIMINALS
(Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I thought I heard it all. Richard Allen
Davis, the murderer of 12-year-old Polly Klaas, now says, yes, I killed
her. I admit I killed her, but I did not rape her.
Check this out. Davis abducted 12-year-old Polly Klaas from her own
home. She was later found with her miniskirt above her waist and her
skull completely separated from her body. Now Davis is ready to admit
the murder, but he said ``I didn't rape her.''
Only as a ploy to avoid the death penalty, Mr. Speaker. Unbelievable.
Davis should not live to see the month of May. And I say instead of
free health care for Davis, free television for Davis, free food for
Davis, Davis should only get one thing free from the American
taxpayers: 50,000 volts.
And it is time for Congress to stop murdering our country by coddling
criminals and letting the Constitution's amendments be used to get
around the death penalty.
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