[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          A LEGACY OF LENIENCY

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton loves to talk up his 
record on crime, but the facts are the facts. The best antidrug 
legislation and the best law enforcement are useless if judges are not 
willing to uphold the law. When judges such as the ones the President 
has appointed show more sympathy for the people they prosecute, than 
for victims, the heroic efforts of the police and the law are muted.
  The American people deserve the best qualified judges that reflect 
their priorities and values. It does not serve America well when a 
judicial nominee to one of the highest courts in the land does not 
possess even rudimentary knowledge of constitutional law--even if he is 
a golfing buddy of the President. If the President and Washington 
special interests get their way, we will get a judge trainee. This 
venerable position requires experience and extensive knowledge of the 
law. The nominee, Charles Stark posses neither. He even testified 
before Congress that he could make up for his ignorance of landmark 
court decisions and constitutional law by taking some courses or asking 
other judges for help.
  Mr. Speaker, this is no way to run a railroad. Most Americans will 
agree that we do not need a judge who needs on-the-job training. We 
need judges who will protect the rights of crime victims, not invent 
new, more expansive rights for criminals. We need judges who will 
follow through with the tough-on-crime measures my Republican 
colleagues and I have passed. But, perhaps more importantly, we need a 
President who will nominate such individuals.

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