[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 18, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6451-H6462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CHURCH ARSON PREVENTION ACT OF 1996

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3525) to amend title 18, United States Code, to clarify the 
Federal jurisdiction over offenses relating to damage to religious 
property, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3525

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Church Arson Prevention Act 
     of 1996''.

     SEC. 2. DAMAGE TO RELIGIOUS PROPERTY.

       (a) In General.--Section 247 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) so that subsection (b) reads as follows:
       ``(b) The circumstances referred to in subsection (a) are 
     that the offense is in or affects interstate or foreign 
     commerce.'';
       (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (c)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (d)'';
       (3) in subsection (c), by inserting ``or (c)'' after 
     ``subsection (a)'';
       (4) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e), as 
     subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively;
       (5) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

[[Page H6452]]

       ``(c) Whoever intentionally defaces, damages, or destroys 
     any religious real property because of the race, color, or 
     ethnic characteristics of any individual associated with that 
     religious property, or attempts to do so, shall be punished 
     as provided in subsection (d).''; and
       (6) in subsection (f) as so redesignated by this section, 
     by inserting ``real'' before ``property'' each place it 
     appears.
       (b) Compensation of Victims.--
       (1) Requirement of inclusion in list of crimes eligible for 
     compensation.--Section 1403(d)(3) of the Victims of Crime Act 
     of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10602(d)(3)) is amended by inserting 
     ``crimes, whose victims suffer death or personal injury, that 
     are described in section 247 of title 18, United States 
     Code,'' after ``includes''.
       (2) Priority in crime victim assistance.--Section 
     1404(a)(2)(A) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
     10603(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ``victims who suffer 
     death or personal injury resulting from crimes described in 
     section 247 of title 18, United States Code, and'' before 
     ``victims of''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Nethercutt). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. 
Conyers] each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde].


                             General Leave

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  (Mr. HYDE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today we consider the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, H.R. 3525, 
legislation reflecting a bipartisan congressional response to the rash 
of church burnings that have occurred in recent months.
  On May 21, the House Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing focusing 
on this problem. The committee, at that time, heard first hand from 
Federal and State law enforcement officials regarding the status of 
their various investigations. In addition, we heard some very 
compelling and emotional testimony from two black ministers 
representing affected African-American congregations.
  During that hearing, the Department of Justice indicated that the 
principal statute used to prosecute church arson contains some 
significant defects that need to be remedied. Specifically, section 247 
of title 18, damage to religious property, imposes an interstate 
commerce requirement that goes well beyond constitutional requirements. 
The current law says that the defendant must either travel in 
interstate commerce, or use a facility or instrumentality of interstate 
commerce and that the defendant must do so ``in interstate commerce.'' 
Thus, for example, it's not enough to use a telephone to help commit 
the crime--the call must go out of State. Another example would be a 
circumstance where the defendant uses public transportation to 
facilitate the crime--it would not be enough if that bus or train 
traveled interstate, the defendant must have used it in interstate 
commerce.
  This highly restrictive and duplicative language has greatly limited 
the effectiveness of this law. The Justice Department has indicated 
that in the majority of these cases, the Government is unable to 
establish the commerce clause predicates required. Consequently, this 
statute is simply not punishing or deterring the very kind of 
misconduct it was originally intended to address.
  Just 2 days after our hearing I introduced H.R. 3525, and was pleased 
to be joined in this effort by the ranking member of the Judiciary 
Committee, John Conyers. There are now 94 cosponsors of our bill. 
Today, under suspension of the rules, we will consider a manager's 
amendment to the bill as reported by the Judiciary Committee. That 
amendment contains additional provisions intended to assist in 
compensating the victims of these abhorrent acts.
  Specifically, this legislation would broaden the jurisdictional 
authority of the Federal Government to seek criminal penalties in cases 
of damage to religious real property based upon whether or not the 
offense is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce.
  This formulation replaces the interstate commerce requirement of 
current law, thereby simplifying and enhancing the ability of the 
Attorney General to successfully prosecure cases under Federal law.
  The interstate commerce requirement is intended to avoid the problem 
identified in United States v. Lopez, 115 S. Ct. 1624 (1995), in which 
the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional legislation which 
would have regulated the possession of firearms in a school zone. In 
that case, the Court found that the conduct to be regulated did not 
have a substantial effect on interstate commerce, and was therefore not 
within the Federal Government's reach under the interstate commerce 
clause of the Constitution. H.R. 3525, by contrast, specifically limits 
its reach to conduct which can be shown to be in or to affect 
interstate commerce. Thus, if in prosecuting a particular case, the 
Government is unable to establish this interstate commerce connection 
to the act, section 247 will not apply to the offense.
  The formulation of the interstate commerce nexus in H.R. 3525 is 
virtually identical to that found in section 844(i) of title 18, the 
Federal arson statute, which is limited to cover buildings ``used in 
interstate commerce or in any activity affecting interstate commerce.'' 
That statute, which was enacted in 1970, has been used to prosecute 
church arsons, thereby confirming our view that church arsons could be 
found to be in interstate commerce. See, e.g., United States v. Norton, 
700 F.2d 1072 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 910 (1983); United 
States v. Swapp, 719 F. Supp. 1015 (D. Utah 1989), aff'd 934 F.2d 326 
(10th Cir. 1991). In fact, the Supreme Court, in reviewing the 
legislative history associated with section 844(i), cited an amendment 
to the provision which was intended to expand coverage from just 
business property to ``a private dwelling, or a church or other 
property not used in business.'' Russell v. United States, 471 U.S. 
858, 860-862 n.7 (1985). We are making the interstate commerce 
requirement of section 247 consistent with that of section 844(i) so as 
to ensure that the Federal Government has equal authority to prosecute 
damage to religious real property caused by something other than arson. 
Further, section 247 will permit prosecution of those who would 
intentionally obstruct any person in the enjoyment of his or her free 
exercise of religious beliefs.
  Second, the manager's amendment eliminates the requirement of current 
law that the damage involved must be of a value of more than $10,000. 
When introduced, our bill would have reduced that amount to $5,000. In 
Committee, substitute language was adopted that eliminated the dollar 
threshold in its entirety. I offered this amendment because I have 
become convinced that a minimum dollar amount is not necessary to 
justify Federal involvement in these types of cases. That is, they are 
clearly hate crimes and implicitly interfere with the first amendment 
rights or civil rights of the victims. Spray painted swastikas on 
synagogues or gunshots fired through church windows may not reflect 
large dollar losses, but they are nevertheless assaults on religious 
freedom.

  The manager's amendment also amends section 247 by creating a new 
subsection (c) which makes it unlawful to damage religious real 
property because of the racial or ethnic character of persons 
associated with that property. Current law requires that the damage be 
caused only because of the religious character of the property. Section 
247, as amended by H.R. 3525, will firmly reach any attack of a church 
that is tied to the racial or ethnic characteristics of the members of 
the church or house of worship.
  Because power to enact this subsection is found in the 13th amendment 
to the Constitution rather than the commerce clause, a showing that the 
offense is in or affects interstate commerce is not an element of a 
subsection (c) crime. Section 1 of the 13th amendment prohibits slavery 
or involuntary servitude. Section 2 of the amendment states, ``Congress 
shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.'' 
It is pursuant to this authority to enforce the 13th amendment, that 
Congress may make it a crime for persons to deface, damage, or destroy 
houses of worship because of the race,

[[Page H6453]]

color or ethnic origin of persons using the house of worship.
  The leading Supreme Court case on Congress's authority to reach 
private conduct under the 13th amendment is Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer 
Co., 392 U.S. 409 (1968). In Jones, Congress reviewed 42 U.S.C. 1982, 
which provides that, ``All citizens of the United States shall have the 
same right, in every State and Territory, as in enjoyed by white 
citizens thereof to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey 
real and personal property.''
  The Court in Jones held that 42 U.S.C. 1982 barred private 
discrimination in the sale or rental of private property, and that 
Congress had authority under section 2 of the 13th amendment to reach 
private acts of racial discrimination. ``[T]he fact that section 1982 
operates upon the unofficial acts of private individuals, whether or 
not sanctioned by state law, presents no constitutional problem.'' 392 
U.S. at 438. The Court stated that section 2 of the 13th amendment gave 
Congress ``power to pass all laws necessary and proper for abolishing 
all badges and incidents of slavery in the United States.'' Id. at 439. 
The Court concluded in Jones that ``badges and incidents of slavery'' 
included racial restraints upon the holding of property, and therefore 
legislation that prohibited discrimination in the right to hold and use 
property clearly was encompassed within Congress's power to enforce the 
13th amendment. Id. at 441. Subsequently, the Supreme court stated, 
``[S]urely there has never been any doubt of the power of Congress to 
impose liability on private persons under Section 2 of [the Thirteenth] 
Amendment.'' Griffen v. Breckenridge, 403 U.S. 88, 105 (1971).
  While 42 U.S.C. 1983 was enacted in 1866, Congress has used its 
authority to enforce the 13th amendment more recently. The 13th 
amendment was one authorization on which Congress relied when it 
enacted the fair housing provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 
(Public Law 90-284, approved April 11, 1968). See discussion in United 
States v. Hunter, 459 F.2d 205, 214 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 
934 (1972); Williams v. Matthews Co., 499 F.2d 819 (8th Cir.), cert. 
denied, 419 U.S. 1021 (1974). Like 42 U.S.C. 1982, some provisions of 
the Fair Housing Act prohibit discriminatory private conduct, and 
Congress in fact enacted both civil and criminal provisions addressing 
private discrimination. See 42 U.S.C. 3631 making it a crime for 
anyone, ``whether or not acting under color of law,'' to injure, 
interfere with, or intimidate anyone because of race, color, national 
origin, or religion in seeking to secure, or helping others to secure 
housing.
  Accordingly, based on Jones versus Mayer, Congress may make it a 
violation of Federal criminal law to destroy or attempt to destroy a 
church because it is owned or used by African-Americans. Racially 
motivated destruction of a church would be no less a badge or incident 
of slavery than denial of housing based on race. Many of the victims of 
church arsons have been quoted recently as stating that the fires 
appeared to them to resurrect the days in which racial discrimination 
and intimidation was rampant. This legislation easily falls within the 
kind of private action Congress may reach pursuant to its authority to 
enforce the 13th amendment to prohibit private conduct that 
discriminates on the basis of race.
  While this legislation might be targeted primarily at the recent 
increase in fires at churches owned by African-Americans, its reach is 
broad enough to include arsons or acts of violence motivated by bias 
directed at any racial or ethnic minority group, and at synagogue 
desecrations as well. In Saint Francis College v. Al-Khazraji, 481 U.S. 
604 (1987), the Supreme Court stated that an individual of Arab descent 
could file a claim under 42 U.S.C. 1981, in which Congress guaranteed 
to all persons the same right to enter contracts ``as is enjoyed by 
white citizens.'' Section 1981, like 42 U.S.C. 1982, was enacted 
pursuant to Congress's authority to implement the 13th amendment. The 
court in Saint Francis College held that, when sections 1981 and 1982 
were enacted in the mid-1800's, the persons who did not qualify as 
white citizens under the Congress's understanding of that term at the 
time included ethnic minorities. In Shaare Tefila Congregation v. Cobb, 
481 U.S. 615 (1987), decided with Saint Francis College versus Al-
Khazraji, the Supreme Court held, under the same analysis, that Jews 
were encompassed within the protections of 42 U.S.C. 1982.
  These two cases establish that, in passing legislation to protect 
churches and houses of worship under its 13th amendment authority, 
Congress may reach attacks not only on churches owned by African-
Americans, but churches owned or used by other minority groups, and 
synagogues as well. Congress's exercise of its authority to eliminate 
the badges and incidents of slavery easily supports legislation to make 
it a crime to deface, damage or destroy a house of worship because of 
the race, color, or ethnic origin of the person or persons who own or 
use the building.
  Finally, the manager's amendment extends eligibility under the 
Victims of Crime Act to persons who have been killed or suffered 
personal injury as a result of a crime described in new section 247.
  The arson of a place of worship is repulsive to us as a society. When 
a fire is motivated by racial hatred it is even more reprehensible. In 
my view there is no crime that should be more vigilantly investigated 
and the perpetrators more vigorously prosecuted than crimes of this 
type. We are dealing with depraved actions resulting from twisted and 
bigoted minds. It is important that this Congress move forward on this 
legislation to ensure that Federal law enforcement has the necessary 
tools to punish and deter these shameful, vile acts.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from 
Virginia [Mr. Davis].
  (Mr. DAVIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, as an American citizen, a Virginian, and a 
Member of Congress, I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms 
the epidemic of arson against churches that has taken hold across the 
southern States and elsewhere in our land. I am absolutely appalled 
that, after all this land has done to heal old wounds and guarantee 
fairness and justice to all Americans, there are some who still succumb 
to hate.
  The deliberate burning of churches in our land for that has been 
occurring over the past 18 months is an outrage. It must stop. Those 
who perpetrate those acts of violence must be brought to justice.
  This is one of those rare occasions when nothing short of the full 
resources of the Federal Government must be brought to bear. No single 
State government is strong enough to deal with crimes and possibly 
criminals that do not respect State borders. Penalties should be stiff 
and uniform. As I read reports of the latest of these incidents, I had 
the feeling that we have been down this terrible road before. Memory 
carried me back to headlines I remember reading in the decades in which 
I was growing up.
  In 1958, a synagogue was bombed in Atlanta. President Eisenhower took 
to the airwaves and expressed his horror at the atrocity and contempt 
for those who committed it. The Nation recommitted itself to respect 
for all Americans and for freedom of religion. In 1962, a church was 
bombed in Birmingham. Four young girls were killed. The conscience of 
the Nation was aroused in anger and disgust.
  President Kennedy spoke for us all when he said, ``If these cruel and 
tragic events can only awaken that city and State--if they can only 
awaken this entire Nation--to a realization of the folly of racial 
injustice and hatred and violence then it is not too late for all 
concerned to unite in steps toward peaceful progress.'' The Nation 
responded to his call. Action was taken then. Action must be taken now. 
This form of terrorism--like all the other forms that have become all 
too commonplace--must stop.
  I commend President Clinton for his show of solidarity with those who 
have lost and are rebuilding their churches. I salute Representative 
Henry Hyde for assembling a bipartisan coalition in Congress behind 
legislation that would make the willful and destruction of American 
houses of worship a Federal crime. I am proud to cosponsor his bill and 
support the managers amendment.
  Efforts like these are bringing out the best of America. And it will 
be the

[[Page H6454]]

best of America that will bring these vicious cowards to justice. I 
said as I began, that I had the feeling that we had been down this road 
before. And we have. But this time there is a major difference.
  This time, not just a handful of concerned local citizens, but entire 
communities have condemned these vicious acts and are working to bring 
their perpetrators to justice. This time, elected State and local 
officials are actively lending their support to those who have to 
suffer the effects of this violence. This time, they are working to 
solve crimes and bring about justice. This time, people of all faiths 
in every part of this Nation have offered their assistance to those who 
endured these tragedies and are working to achieve reconciliation among 
Americans of all faiths, races, and creeds.
  I especially want to single out the Christian Coalition for its offer 
of a $25,000 reward for information leading to arrests and the 
neighborhood watches it has organized, the National Council of Churches 
for launching an appeal for funds for rebuilding, and the Southern 
Baptist Convention for its offers of assistance. Other organizations 
and denominations have also been stepping forward in great numbers. 
This time, the people of America stand as united as never before in 
their resolve to rid this kind of hatred in our land. They are bound 
and determined to succeed. And they will.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. CONYERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, we come here today because the Nation is in 
crisis, and the symptoms of that crisis have been reflected in these 
church burnings in mostly African American churches. It is to the 
credit of the Federal Government that we have reacted in a serious and, 
I think, swift manner, and I want to say that this legislation is the 
work product of all of us on the committee and that we have held 
hearings in the Committee on the Judiciary on May 21 in which we had a 
wide range of witnesses, both in the church and out of the church, in 
government and out of government, plus the law enforcement agency heads 
who were dealing with this matter.
  Mr. Speaker, what we found out, that is to me one of the most single 
important matters to come out of this tragedy, is the fact that these 
burnings are not condoned by anyone, no one in the Congress, no one in 
the Senate. Our law enforcement agencies, both Federal and State, are 
united in trying to put an end to this scourge.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been in the South on two occasions in which I saw 
this at the grassroots level, in which law enforcement officers were 
working very effectively.
  In addition, I think we should lift up the name of the Assistant 
Attorney General for Civil Rights Deval Patrick for the excellent 
leadership that he has given and is giving as we move through this 
nightmare in American history.
  Yesterday three more African-American churches were torched. It is 
pathological. It is the consequence of a lot of things we might have 
done otherwise. But on this one point we are all united.
  The Assistant Secretary for Enforcement in the Treasury, Jim Johnson, 
has been before the committee and has told us what they are doing. John 
McGaw, the Director of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms unit, has 
given us his report of what is going on. The Director of the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, Louis Freeh, through his representatives, have 
worked completely. We have more than 200 investigators on the ground 
working full-time on this matter as we speak.
  It is a difficult crime for all the obvious reasons, but we are 
united. We are working closely with State and local law enforcement 
officers as well. And so we are here today as a combined unit in 
agreement that the church arson law on the Federal books has to be made 
effective to be operable.
  Our chairman, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde], has explained 
in perfect detail precisely what we have done to facilitate the 
implementation of this Federal statute which has lain fallow, actually, 
up until now. So I am very pleased about what is going on and the 
resources that are being committed to continue the law enforcement side 
of this.
  I must say that at that hearing on May 21 the president of the 
Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. Joseph Lowery, urged us 
to do what we have done, move swifter, move faster, move more 
effectively. I think that he will agree that we have listened to his 
comments and are following them with as much speed as the bureaucracy 
can work.
  Then I want to lift up the name of Rev. Jesse Lewis Jackson who has 
done a marvelous job of trying--well, he has done two things. The first 
thing he has done is to speak sensibly and in a teacher way about the 
problem, and the second thing he has done is try to do this healing 
that has been referred to by the President.
  Now, how do we heal a nation that is coming out of a history of 
racism? It is not just done by words or sermons or speeches from on 
high. But, as my colleagues know, I believe that we have struck a nerve 
in the American body politic that has led us all to say enough of this 
kind of foolishness.
  The conservative Members of the Congress came to the members of the 
Congressional Black Caucus to join together even before we had the 
hearings to urge, and they met with the law enforcement officials of 
the Federal Government and urged with us that they move as swiftly as 
they can, no holds barred, get whoever is at the bottom of this, if it 
is individuals, whatever, let us deal with it in a way that reflects 
the understanding and common sense and leadership that should be 
expected of the Federal Government.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to say as one Member of this body that this 
Government has made me proud. This membership in Congress has made me 
proud because this is the most sensitive thing in the American body 
politic right now. When in God's name are these few people out there 
going to turn away from this kind of pathological conduct?
  But we are doing all we can on this side. Oh, yes, there is more to 
be done. These kinds of problems are not healed by a bill, but it is my 
privilege, as the ranking member of this committee, to commend to all 
of the Members and the staffs, Alan Coffey and the other members, 
Julian Epstein Melanie Sloan, and Diana Schacht and all of those that 
have been working with us for a job well done.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Heineman].
  (Mr. HEINEMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HEINEMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, Congress has its opportunity to 
speak out against the ignorant and cowardly actions of the 
antireligious bigots who participated in burning the churches of both 
black and white Americans. Unfortunately, as a former law enforcement 
officer, I have witnessed firsthand the horror of both the burning and 
desecration of sacred houses of worship. Nothing can be more 
devastating to people than to see the very foundation of their 
existence go up in flames. Black Americans have always centered their 
hope and aspirations around God and their respective churches. I have 
seen this myself. The destruction of these institutions tears the very 
fabric of our society and dashes hope for the future. Likewise, the 
desecration of synagogues is a grim reminder of the Holocaust and is a 
painful reminder of the tragedies of the past.
  We, as a nation and as a Congress, must now allow this to continue. 
This bill is a proper response to these cowardly acts. This bipartisan 
legislation will truly make a difference. It will enable the Federal 
Government to more easily prosecute those who commit these heinous 
crimes and impose stiff and appropriate criminal sanctions.
  Americans have always stood for God and country. Americans have 
always supported each other in times of need. Today is one of those 
times. Let us all stand together in this matter and put an end to this 
madness. If we fail to adequately deal with these tragedies, then we, 
as representatives of all the people, are not doing our sworn duty. I 
thank the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
Hyde], and my colleague, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Conyers],

[[Page H6455]]

for sponsoring this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to give their 
full support to this bill.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Watt] in whose State there have been church arsons.
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the 
chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde], and 
the ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Conyers], for 
proposing this legislation, and encourage my colleagues to vote 
unanimously in support of it.
  There are two important reasons for this legislation, the first of 
which is a practical reason. When I appeared on the scene at Matthews 
Merkland, and the investigation was proceeding of that church burning 
in Charlotte, NC, we had representatives of the Federal Alcohol, 
Tobacco, and Firearms division, we had representatives of the State 
Bureau of Investigation, we had representatives of the local law 
enforcement officials, and representatives of the local fire 
department.
  But for the fact that that church had been completely destroyed, 
there is some question about whether the Federal authorities could have 
been there at all. If the amount of damages had been minimal, there 
would have been some question about whether they could have even gone 
to investigate the fire, despite the terrible nature of it and 
everybody's suspicion that it could have been racially motivated. So 
this legislation, on a practical level, will get us beyond that. It was 
a wonderful sight to see all of the law enforcement authorities there 
in a spirit of cooperation, trying to bring their resources to bear on 
this tragedy, and in that particular situation it led to a very quick 
arrest.
  The second important reason is a symbolic reason. That is that we 
need to make a statement of our outrage about these church burnings. 
This legislation will enable us to make that statement to the American 
people that this kind of conduct is totally outside the bounds, is 
unacceptable in a democratic society. I encourage my colleagues to 
support this legislation.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
distinguished gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Flanagan].
  Mr. FLANAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3525, the 
Church Arson Prevention Act. In a country that was founded on the 
principle of religious freedom, crimes against religious property are 
particularly repugnant. The recent wave of church burnings that has 
occurred, predominantly against black churches in the South, is 
reprehensible.
  This legislation greatly enhances the ability of Federal law 
enforcement authorities to prosecute crimes against religious property. 
Presently, there must be at least 10,000 dollars' worth of property 
damage before a crime against religious property can be federally 
prosecuted. This bill eliminates that minimum requirement. Even a 
penny's worth of damage would now be enough for Federal prosecution. 
This is as it should be.
  Also, victims of church burnings or other types of religious property 
destruction will now be able to receive compensation from the violent 
crimes trust fund that was established by the 1994 Violent Crime 
Control and Law Enforcement Act. Surely, you are a crime victim when 
your sacred placed of worship is burned to ashes. Compensation is but 
one small thing we can do to help alleviate the pain for those who have 
seen their houses of veneration destroyed.
  This legislation takes many other actions that will make it easier 
for Federal investigators to track down those who are maliciously 
destroying our houses of worship. We must ensure that those who have 
committed these heinous crimes do not escape punishment. This 
legislation will help bring those responsible to justice. I urge my 
colleagues to give the Church Arson Prevention Act their full support.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee], a sterling member of the 
Committee on the Judiciary, in whose State there have been church 
burnings.
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for 
his kindness in yielding to me, and particularly for his leadership 
and, as well, the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde], for the expeditious manner in which 
we move toward hearings and then now have come to the House floor to 
speak on behalf of the American people.
  There is nothing more tragic than burning houses of worship, no 
matter what color, what religion. I am grateful that this Congress will 
say to America, enough is enough, for since 1995 we have had now more 
than 40 of these burnings, most recently those in my home State of 
Greenville, TX.
  Let me also applaud the NAACP and the group of ministers with which I 
had the opportunity to join just yesterday in Houston, who likewise met 
with FBI agents and other Federal officials to assess and be able to 
indicate their consternation with these tragedies that are occurring.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe this legislation is right-headed and right-
footed, for it says to the perpetrators, we are going to get you. There 
is nothing wrong with that, when those who violate the law come to 
justice, and that we untangle the hands of prosecutors so they can do 
their job and ensure that those who would worship under the first 
amendment in the Constitution would not be blighted.
  But let me say something for all of us to hear. It is important to 
recognize that with this legislation we cannot rebuild churches and 
men's hearts. We must recognize that we must take away from the anger 
of this Congress on affirmative action and resegregating us with 
respect to busing questions; and realize, America, that we must bring 
this country together. We must stop the ugly talk and recognize that we 
are all of one human family.
  I enjoy America when we stand together. I would hope that all of the 
church families that I have already heard from will likewise understand 
that this is not just another whining on behalf of African-Americans in 
this Nation, but this is in fact an opportunity that we understand, 
that we stand under one flag, and yes, one belief; that is, in a higher 
authority that believes in love and sharing and the respect of human 
dignity.
  It is time for all denominations to rise up with us to stand against 
these atrocities, and yes, this Congress cannot stop with this 
legislation, we must ensure that we heal this Nation with the kind of 
legislation that says that we stand against church burnings but we 
stand for America as one family, supported, for all.

  So I thank those who have proposed this legislation, and Mr. Speaker, 
I would hope that my colleagues will support wholeheartedly H.R. 3525.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of one of the most important 
pieces of legislation before this House in recent memory. There are few 
issues that we can debate that are more significant than issues of 
racial equality and freedom of religion. This bill will aid prosecutors 
in bringing an end to the many church burnings that have occurred 
across the country in the past year and a half. We simply cannot return 
to the reign of terror that existed in the 1960's. We simply cannot 
risk innocent citizens being harmed like the horrible incident at a 
Birmingham church in 1963.
  Since 1995 alone, there have been more than 40 incidents of the 
burning and desecration of African-American churches including two in 
my home State of Texas. In fact, two churches were burned in 
Mississippi last night. As evidenced by these numbers, there is no 
doubt that many of these fires have been and continue to be racially 
motivated. Before loss of life occurs we must end this siege on the 
Constitution.
  The legislation before us today aids law enforcement officials by 
making it easier to prosecute those who would commit such heinous acts. 
It amends existing law by providing that anyone using weapons, 
explosives, or fire damaging property on the basis of its racial or 
ethnic consideration regardless of the dollar amount of the loss will 
be prosecuted to the full extent of the law--10 years in prison.
  As this plague continues to rapidly grow, it is time for this House 
to act and help our Nation's enforcement personnel end this reign of 
terror against our citizens based on race and religion. I urge my 
colleagues to strongly support this bill and send it to the Senate so 
that the President can sign this bill as soon as possible. Our swift 
movement on this bill may help save more communities from suffering 
these devastating losses.
  Finally, I would like to thank Howard Jefferson of the NAACP, 
President J.J. Roberson of

[[Page H6456]]

the Baptist Ministers Alliance, Minister Robert Mohammed of the Nation 
of Islam, Bishop Guillary of the Houston/Galveston Catholic Diocese, 
and Rev. Ed Young of Second Baptist Church, local and Federal law 
enforcement authorities, and many other clergy and community leaders 
for their leadership on this issue in our great city of Houston, TX. 
Their message was that we will not tolerate these hateful acts. I was 
proud to stand with them in their effort of unity.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 30 seconds to the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Canady], the distinguished chairman of the 
Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. CANADY of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, 
Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Church Arson Prevention 
Act. Recently Americans have watched in horror as houses of worship 
have gone into flames, igniting new fears and suspicions and fomenting 
fires of hatred in our Nation. This tragedy, which has hit primarily 
African-American churches, calls for immediate action. The Church Arson 
Prevention Act will help by enabling Federal prosecutors to bring the 
perpetrators of these crimes to justice.
  I want to commend the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] for his 
swift action on this issue, as well as the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. 
Conyers] for his work on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to 
vote yes on this important bill.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania, Mr. Thomas Foglietta, one of the distinguished Members 
who have worked on civil rights matters across the years.
  Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues to express my horror 
at the recent string of church fires across the South. More 
importantly, we join together to do something about it. There have been 
more than 37 suspicious fires in black and multiracial churches in 
small towns across America in the last 18 months, 7 in the last 2 
weeks, including 2 in the last 2 days in Mississippi.
  For the past year we have debated about the role of government. 
Government is brave men and women putting out fires in communities, it 
is police officers and the Justice Department fighting to stop crime. 
The effort we announce today is a good example of how government, the 
private sector, and people can join together to accomplish a common 
goal. Government works. Government works when people like President 
Clinton step up to the bully pulpit and turn this issue into a national 
challenge, and teaches us that we have to return to the value that made 
our country so strong, that we have to fight the fire of hate that 
drove people to commit these outrages.
  Government works when my colleagues and I come together to create the 
energy of firefighters to help people prevent church arsons. As one 
minister put it, someone who is trying to do us harm in one sense 
really has done us a lot of good. These fires have drawn people 
together, both black and white. These acts of hatred have been 
transformed into gestures of love.
  I ask my colleagues to support the proposed amendment by the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. 
Conyers], H.R. 3525, so together we can find these criminals and put an 
end to this madness. Together we can and must write an end to this 
horrible chapter in our Nation's history.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Barr].
  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman 
of the Committee on the Judiciary, on which I am proud to serve, for 
yielding time on this important piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the chairman of the Committee on 
the Judiciary for looking at this matter in the light it ought to be, 
to take a very learned, very dispassionate, but passionate look at 
whether our Federal laws are indeed sufficient to address the problem 
presented to the American people by the rash of church burnings, white 
and black alike, across our country, particularly in my part of the 
country, the southern United States.
  Rather than seek out photo ops, rather than talk about this in 
partisan terms, rather than try and score headline victories over other 
folks, the gentleman from Illinois, Chairman Hyde, has done it the old-
fashioned way, professionally and according to the laws of our land.
  I would like, though, also, Mr. Speaker, to caution all of us as we 
look at this piece of legislation, or really perhaps as we look at 
other pieces of legislation, because none of us, including myself, 
dispute the need for this legislation, but to keep in mind that the 
commerce clause of our Constitution is not infinitely elastic, and we 
need to look at these pieces of legislation to ensure that there is a 
proper and firm foundation in the appropriate provisions of our 
Constitution for the laws that we seek to enact.
  While the commerce clause is very broad indeed, it is not, as I have 
said, infinitely elastic, and we have to be careful, because when it 
breaks, it will snap fairly hard. We do need to keep that in mind, 
because we do not want to pass important legislation such as that 
before us today and find a problem later on, which I do not believe we 
have with this piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker; but again, I would 
caution all of us here to be very mindful of the limitations of the 
various clauses of our Constitution, including particularly in this 
case, since we are amending the applicability and the reach of this 
legislation by way of the commerce clause, to be very mindful of those 
principles of Federalism which all of us certainly on the Committee on 
the Judiciary, on our side of the aisle, adhere to and support very 
strongly.
  Again, in closing, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak 
today and commend the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and I 
urge support for this important piece of legislation.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Ken Bentsen.
  (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 3525, 
the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996, in hope that it will end these 
acts of cowardice against churches in my home State of Texas and across 
the South. It is unfortunate that in the late 20th century hate crimes 
still exist in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3525 sends a strong message that these actions will 
not be tolerated by the Nation, and that our will is stronger than the 
hatred from which they are born. This legislation brings to bear the 
full authority and resources of the Federal Government in stopping the 
arson and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The Federal Government 
will be a full partner with State and local authorities in this effort. 
These criminals must be brought to justice and their message must be 
exposed for what it is: ignornance and hatred--the most un-American of 
values. One of the founding principles of our Nation is the freedom to 
worship as we choose, and any attempt to deny someone that right must 
be stopped.
  If anything positive can be gained from these acts, it is that people 
of good conscience, of all races and creeds, have come together to help 
the affected congregations and to prevent the further spread of these 
acts. It's unfortunate that it took something of this magnitude for us 
to come together, but I want to applaud these efforts. Organizations 
like the National Trust for Historic Preservations and the Anti-
Defamation League have come forward and offered their assistance, along 
with many others.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan 
[Mr. Conyers] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] for their 
leadership on this issue. Today we send a strong message that while we 
in Congress can disagree on many things, we stand united against hatred 
and ignorance.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Walsh], the chairman of the District of 
Columbia Appropriation Subcommittee.
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlemen from 
Illinois and from Michigan for bringing this important piece of 
legislation to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill. I rise today to 
condemn the

[[Page H6457]]

arson fires in African-American churches. The good people of central 
New York whom I represent know that when you see a wrong committed, you 
must speak out. On their behalf, I want to protest the violence, 
express our disgust with the hatred, and offer our hand in peace.
  As we publicly stand with black Americans we hope to show people of 
violence one thing--that it is they who are in the minority. It is they 
who will be overcome. It is we, the majority, the peacemakers, black 
and white, who will inherit the Earth.
  Hatred that spawns violence is not natural or normal. It is foreign 
to us at birth. We see that the children do not hate. They do not 
segregate themselves. They do not act violently toward others of a 
different skin color--unless they are taught. We can learn from the 
children. In fact, we must if we are to survive as a great 
civilization.
  Today, as the fire investigation continues, I want to say to my 
friends in this Chamber who are African-American, and to my friends 
back home, please continue to have faith that most Americans do not 
hate.
  With you, we are the majority in the greatest country on Earth. No 
purveyors of hate or prejudice will take that from us.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Connecticut [Ms. DeLauro].
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan and the 
gentleman from Illinois for bringing this legislation forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Church Arson Prevention 
Act and urge its immediate adoption. Just last night, two more southern 
churches were burned to the ground--these tragic losses add to the 
mounting list of over 30 suspicious fires at black and multiracial 
churches in communities across the South in the past 18 months.
  Yesterday, I stood with religious and community leaders in New Haven, 
CT, to condemn these tragic fires that have destroyed sacred sites--
built on faith, hope, and love--and to stand in solidarity with the 
victims of these heinous crimes.
  This vital measure makes it a Federal crime to deface or destroy 
religious property and makes it easier to prosecute church arsons. Most 
importantly, the passage of this bill will give comfort to the victims 
of the fires--it will speed the healing process and assist with 
rebuilding of the churches and the communities that have been scarred 
by these violent and hateful acts.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. McIntosh].
  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, and I want 
to commend Chairman Hyde and his committee for their good work on this 
bill. It in some measure allows us to renew that great dream of Martin 
Luther King's that blacks and whites can once again walk together in 
this country blessed by God in a land of freedom.
  In the court case United States versus Lopez, Justices Kennedy and 
O'Connor opined that the political branches of government must fulfill 
grave constitutional obligation to delineate the democratic liberty and 
federalism and distinguish where the power to enact laws comes from.
  In light of that admonition, I must express my sincere doubt 
regarding the claimed commerce clause justification for this act. I do 
not believe that a mere change of wording will allow us to preserve the 
act from constitutional challenge. However, I will vote today to 
support this bill because it is a very good bill and a necessary bill 
and because I believe it is one of the rare instances when it is within 
our express authority under section 5 of the 14th amendment to enact 
such legislation. It is very clear that this arson which is addressed 
by this bill dramatically interferes with the religious liberties 
protected by the first amendment that the States have failed to 
adequately protect for minorities.
  With this nexus, I want to commend the committee for bringing this 
bill to floor today and urge all of my colleagues to vote for it so 
that we can send a message to all Americans that this Congress will not 
stand for these heinous acts of church burnings throughout the South or 
in any other part of our land.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings].
  (Mr. CUMMINGS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan and 
Mr. Hyde for their leadership in bringing this important piece of 
legislation to the floor in such a timely manner.
  Mr. Speaker, the burning and defamation of places of worship across 
the South have shaken and angered me to the core. These are atrocities 
that will not go unpunished. This legislation gives prosecutors the 
tools to punish the cowardly perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
  The church for African-Americans is more than a place of worship. It 
is a symbol of hope and the bedrock of our community. Like the 
generations of family and friends before us, we find comfort, hope, and 
faith in our churches.
  Mr. Speaker, it is 1996 and still racism exists. But the Members in 
this Chambers have chosen to fight these injustices. These gutless acts 
will not have their intended effect. They will not dissuade us from 
fighting bigotry and intolerance.
  I am pleased to support this legislation, which will facilitate 
Federal prosecution of arson cases and I urge its swift passage.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stockman].
  Mr. STOCKMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this 
bill forward.
  I would like to take just one quick moment here to try and put a 
human face on this. I do not know if you can see this, Mr. Speaker, but 
in Saturday's paper it discusses how the pastor of a church in 
Galveston, TX, had his church burned down and to this day has not 
rebuilt his church and to this day they have not found the 
perpetrators. This was in our district which, quite frankly, has been a 
very peaceful, harmonious district, and I would like to point out for 
the record and like to submit this for the Record that this is 
something that we need to put a human face on. These are people who 
have lost their church and we do not know why or what is going on in 
this Nation that has turned its people against churches but, Mr. 
Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for offering this bill and I 
stand fully behind it.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the chairman for bringing this bill 
forward and I rise in strong support of H.R. 3525--the Church Arson 
Prevention Act.
  It is time we put a human face on the epidemic of church burning. I 
do not know if you can see this, Mr. Speaker, but last Saturday, the 
Galveston Daily News ran a story about the destruction of the Island 
Baptist Church. This little church burned down nearly 2 years ago. The 
perpetrators of this horrible act have not been found and the church 
pastor, James Booth, has not yet been able to rebuild his church. I 
want to submit the story of Pastor Booth, as it appears in the 
Galveston Daily News, for the Record.
  Again, it is time we put a human face on the epidemic of church 
burning. Pastor James Booth is a real person, and members of his 
congregation are real people. The burning must stop. He and other 
religious leaders have suffered enough. This bill is necessary to make 
easier the Federal prosecution of church burners. It is extremely 
important that the Justice Department pursue church burners diligently.
  The destruction of churches isn't a black catastrophe, it isn't a 
white catastrophe, it's a religious catastrophe. These are crimes 
against people of faith and those who worship. We must do what we can 
to stop these heinous crimes.
  I implore my colleagues to support this bill. The citizens of 
Galveston and Pastor Booth are entitled to justice. All victims of 
church burners are entitled to justice. This bill should be passed by 
Congress and signed into law immediately. I want to thank the gentleman 
for offering this bill and I stand fully behind it.

                Burned Church Wins Congressman's Support

                   (By Chad Eric Watt and Wes Swift)

       Galveston.--U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman has asked his 
     colleagues to remember a Galveston church torched by 
     arsonists in 1994.
       The Island Baptist Church, which was at 9 Mile and 
     Ostermayer roads, burned Dec. 22, 1994.
       The predominantly white Southern Baptist congregation is 
     rebuilding at 8 Mile and Stewart roads.
       ``Pastor (James) Booth has not yet been able to rebuild his 
     little church on Galveston Island,'' Stockman said Thursday 
     night on the floor of the House of Representatives.

[[Page H6458]]

       ``He did not receive much attention from the media because 
     when his church burned down, it was not then fashionable to 
     talk about burning churches.''
       Stockman and other members of Congress expressed concern in 
     a March 1 letter to the U.S. Attorney General.
       ``We brought this to Janet Reno several months ago,'' said 
     Cory Birenbaum, a spokesman for Stockman.
       In the letter, the congressmen asked Reno to direct the 
     Justice Department to help local authorities catch those 
     setting the fires.
       ``The burning of churches has become a fashionable crime, 
     with news reports possibly contributing to imitative acts of 
     violence,'' the letter states.
       Governors of Southern states have been invited to the White 
     House next week to discuss strategy for coping with a rash of 
     suspicious fires at predominantly black churches.
       By early next week, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 
     Firearms hopes to have details of fires at 33 black churches 
     and 23 non-black churches since Jan. 1.
       Civil rights groups tracking church burnings in the South 
     said they have found few examples of white churches being 
     attacked.
       ``If white church fires were on the increase, with racism 
     as a reason, we'd be on it in a heartbeat,'' said Angie Lowry 
     of the Montgomery, Ala.-based Southern Poverty Law Center, 
     which studies racial issues.
       ``I'm not seeing it here in Alabama, and we're not seeing 
     it anywhere else.''
       Booth said the church burnings reflect a sickness that 
     crosses ethnic boundaries.
       ``My feeling is not that these burnings are racially 
     motivated--as it was by anger in general,'' he said ``It's 
     not a race issue. It's the attitude of people in general. 
     It's a very poor condition.''
       Booth's wife, Ruth Ann, said she was alerted to the mention 
     of their church by a stranger in Modesto, Calif., who saw 
     Stockman make his statements on cable television.
       ``We had had troubles with vandalism there,'' Mrs. Booth 
     said.
       No one has been arrested in connection with the fire.
       Ruth Ann Booth said fire investigators traced the source of 
     the fire to a closet near the church's front entrance. Empty 
     beer cans were found near the entrance.
       James Booth said he understands the pain other 
     congregations are going through.
       ``It's a lot of emotional stress,'' he said. ``To see 
     something that means so much to you like a church go up in 
     flames . . . it's very painful.''

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton], who has worked on this matter with a 
great deal of commitment.
  (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her 
remarks.)
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3525, the Church 
Arson Prevention Act of 1996.
  This bill would amend title 18, the criminal title of the U.S. Code 
by facilitating prosecution and increasing penalties against those who 
would do violence to houses of worships.
  We have all been concerned over the disturbing trend of African-
American church burnings, two a month over the past 18 months, and 
three more this past weekend.
  This bill will address that alarming trend.
  But, there have also been other acts of violence directed at houses 
of worship, such as vandalism, desecrations, and even drive-by-
shootings.
  This bill will address that alarming trend as well.
  The bill makes clear that it is a Federal crime to deface or destroy 
religious property for racial, ethnic, or religious reasons.
  More importantly, the bill removes the current requirement that the 
offense cause at least $10,000 in damage--a threshold that has made it 
very difficult to prosecute such cases in the past.
  And, the bill makes victims of religious property defacing or 
destruction eligible for compensation under the Victims of Crime Act.
  This provision is important as many churches seek to rebuild 
following the rash of destruction, particularly the church burnings.
  I am exploring other ways in which the Federal Government can make 
communities whole when faced with these crimes, especially ways we can 
help in the rebuilding of churches.
  Two more suspicious church fires occurred over the weekend, including 
another fire in my State of North Carolina.
  While I am proud of bipartisan efforts that have been undertaken by 
the House, we must continue those efforts.
  Congress must be eternally vigilant in speaking out now against these 
intolerable acts.
  Those who perpetrate these misdeeds must know that our will to stop 
them is stronger than their will to continue.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton].
  Ms. NORTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding time, and I thank the 
chairman and the ranking member for their alacrity in moving this bill 
forward.
  Mr. Speaker, as a student member of the Student Nonviolent 
Coordinating Committee in the South during the civil rights movement I 
remember no time when there was a rash of church burnings. We have 
enough polarization in this society. We do not need the ultimate 
polarization, the burning of places of worship. You have restored 
confidence in the rule of law for many Americans. You have said through 
this bill that we are still committed to eliminating racism, and I 
thank you.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
New Jersey [Mr. Pallone].
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I went to the Second Baptist Church in Long 
Branch, my hometown, last Sunday to talk to a very concerned crowd 
about why this legislation is so important.
  It is time to relentlessly investigate and swiftly prosecute 
perpetrators of these crimes. We must have a public outcry condemning 
these mindless church burnings, and it must be bipartisan and 
multiracial. Those people who gain politically and financially from 
fueling hatred in our society today should recognize the effects of 
their words.
  I say to those who perpetrate these heinous crimes that the days of 
the night riders are over. The days when African-Americans had to take 
cover by nightfall in hopes of seeing another day are over. This 
country will not go back to a time when hatred and intimidation through 
terrorism was the law of the land.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Inglis].
  Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina. I thank the chairman for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and congratulate 
the chairman and the ranking member for moving this bill to the floor 
so quickly.
  I think it is important to note two things. First, is the importance 
of this bill, that it will give us the opportunity as a Federal matter 
to get at these people who would desecrate houses of worship and really 
seek to destroy a great deal of the social fabric of our communities. 
So I think it is important to get this bill accomplished and get it 
passed so that we can get at a successful prosecution of these folks.
  The second thing I think is important to point out is that there is a 
message of reconciliation and hope in this. It is a message that 
Terrence Mackey, the pastor of the Greelyville church that President 
Clinton visited last week, is so good at putting forth, and that is 
that in the face of this hateful act, people like Pastor Mackey are 
presenting a message of forgiveness and hope.
  That, I think, will get at the deeper problem, because we know that 
this legislation will be a significant help to Federal prosecutors but 
we know that underneath this, there is a deeper problem and it is a 
problem in the heart of humankind. That problem, I think, can only be 
overcome by people like Pastor Mackey preaching that message of 
forgiveness and hope. That is the hope of reconciliation. I hope his 
voice is one that is heard loudest as we go through this process of 
dealing with the rebuilding and hopefully of the successful 
prosecution, as well, because of this bill, of the people who would 
perpetrate these hateful acts.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Louisiana [Mr. Fields] in whose State there have been arsons.
  Mr. FIELDS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Michigan for yielding me the time, and I want to thank the gentlemen 
for his leadership. I also want to thank the gentleman from Illinois on 
the other side of the aisle [Mr. Hyde] for this very important matter 
and also for bringing to it the floor.

[[Page H6459]]

  Mr. Speaker, the burning of churches in this country is unacceptable 
and will not be tolerated in any shape, form or fashion. This 
legislation will give Federal prosecutors the tools they need to 
prosecute those perpetrators of the crime to the fullest extent of the 
law.
  Mr. Speaker, I come from a State that has witnessed over five 
burnings in the past 4 months, four in one night alone. I want to thank 
the gentleman from Michigan and thank the gentleman from Illinois for 
bringing this very important piece of legislation to the floor and 
would like to say in no uncertain terms that this Congress will not 
tolerate individuals burning churches.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
Michigan [Mr. Conyers], and I ask unanimous consent that he be 
permitted to control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
Hyde] for his generosity, and I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Miller].
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me the time.
  I thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Hyde, for yielding and 
both of my colleagues for bringing this matter to the floor and rise in 
strong support of this legislation. I join those of our colleagues and 
so many across the Nation who have voiced their strong, strong 
objection to those who would take actions of violence against our 
houses of worship in this country and hope that this legislation will 
be some small beginning in mending these horrible actions against the 
churches in the South and elsewhere.
  I thank the gentleman for bringing this legislation to the floor.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to conclude the time that has been 
afforded us on this side by reminding all of our colleagues that the 
President of the United States has involved himself in this matter in a 
very important way.
  First of all, he urged that there be some legislation that could deal 
with this subject matter. Then he used his weekly radio address to 
direct to the Nation the deepness of the injury that these kinds of 
attacks on churches commit. Then he went to the South himself, and 
tomorrow he will be meeting with Governors of the several States. I 
think the President of the United States has handled this at the 
Federal level remarkably well.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Watts].
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding 
me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, in the last week, churches have burned in North 
Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Fires are destroying our houses 
of worship like an unchecked scourge. With each fire, we have all felt 
the loss because any church that is burned in our church, for every 
house of worship is a symbol of our faith in God and our right to 
worship according to the dictates of our own conscience.
  As evil as these church burnings are, we must avoid becoming consumed 
by our anger. For as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., taught us, darkness 
cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive 
out hate, only love can do that.
  To begin to heal, to drive away the darkness, we must bring back the 
light, the light of love, the light of hope. First we must apprehend 
those who are responsible for the fires and prosecute them to the full 
extent of the law. This bill will help to do that.
  Second and more importantly, we must come together to rebuild our 
churches and communities. Our actions must show the world that we will 
not sit idly by when the unity and religious freedom of our nation are 
attacked.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Illinois, Chairman Hyde, 
and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Conyers, for producing H.R. 3525. 
I call on the House to pass this bill unanimously to send the strongest 
possible message that this Congress will do all within its power to 
stop the fires and help the healing again.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that we have had an interesting and 
good and full debate on this important issue. Burning a church is about 
as rotten, reprehensible an act as anybody can do, and I hope this law 
helps in the identification and severe punishment of the perpetrators.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEVILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern 
about the alarming rash of fires that have destroyed or badly damaged 
at least 34 black churches across the South. There is a lot of 
speculation about who may be behind these arson attacks and whether 
racism is involved. I am confident that the perpetrators of these 
crimes will be caught and brought to justice. Their punishment should 
be severe.
  Strong legislation is moving through Congress to give U.S. attorneys 
clear jurisdiction to prosecute church arson suspects. I will support 
this bill when it comes to the House floor. There should be no 
misunderstanding that these attacks are of national concern.
  These crimes show a blatant disrespect not only for the people who 
worship at these churches, but also for their faith itself. Churches 
are sanctuaries of faith. They are houses of God and they should be 
respected. How would you feel if someone burned down your church? I 
know how I would feel. I would be hurt and outraged. I would want 
something done about it.
  It is a sad commentary on our society when any place of worship is 
vandalized or destroyed. This goes for the burning of churches as well 
as the spraying of Nazi graffiti on synagogues.
  The very principles upon which our Nation was founded are at stake 
here. The Pilgrims who braved rough seas and harsh winters to find a 
new life in America came here to find a place to worship freely. They 
came to escape religious persecution.
  That's why our U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of 
religion in the first amendment. Most of us would interpret that right 
to mean that we can worship without fear.
  When crimes are committed against places of worship--even in the dead 
of night--it creates an atmosphere of distrust and fear. God-loving, 
law-abiding citizens don't wish that on anyone, regardless of their 
religion or their race.
  I am glad to see the Congress and the administration stepping forward 
to address this issue. And, I want to commend NationsBank Corp. for 
pledging to pay $500,000 for information leading to the arrest and 
conviction of those responsible. This sends a strong message that the 
corporate community in the South is equally concerned about these 
crimes.
  I am also glad to see that the National Trust for Historic 
Preservation has added southern black churches to its list of ``most 
endangered'' historic places. The support offered by the trust will go 
a long way toward helping affected communities to heal.
  I pray that this rash of attacks on Southern churches will end now 
and that a sense of safety and sanctity will be restored to these 
places of worship.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3525, 
the Church Arson Prevention Act. I want to commend Mr. Hyde and Mr. 
Conyers for proposing this bill which was introduced in response to the 
tragic church fires which have destroyed over 30 black churches 
throughout the South over the last 18 months. Enough is enough. The 
time has come to step up our efforts, and we must take more action to 
assist Federal, State, and local authorities in preventing and 
investigating these fires.
  I want to add my voice in expressing strong displeasure with those 
who seek to evoke fear and promote hatred by engaging in these acts of 
cowardice. This type of behavior tears at the very fabric which holds 
this Nation together. It is important that we do what is necessary to 
put an end to these unacceptable actions. As a Nation which prides 
itself in furthering liberty, equality, and justice for all, conduct of 
this nature cannot and will not be tolerated.
  There is no institution more sacred than a house of worship. I am 
appalled and outraged that any person would desecrate an institution 
which fosters religious freedom, a right guaranteed under the 
Constitution of the United States. The church serves as the foundation 
of good, hope, and prosperity in many communities. It also serves as a 
place of solace for those seeking refuge from the cruelties and 
harshness of the world. Moreover, it is a place where people can put 
aside their differences and come together. I will never understand how 
one can seek to destroy the positive spirit which the church 
symbolizes.
  I am deeply saddened by the events which have taken place over the 
last year and a half.

[[Page H6460]]

They are an ugly reminder of our not so distant past and send the wrong 
message to impressionable minds. Over the past 30 years, we have worked 
hard to build many bridges across the racial divide. To a large degree, 
we have been quite successful. However, we still have a long way to go 
in our pursuit to understand one another and ensure equality for every 
American. As the most civilized nation in the world, it is incumbent on 
us to continue to move forward. We cannot let the uncivilized actions 
of a few keep us from achieving the worthwhile goal of racial and 
ethnic harmony.
  The legislation before us today, in coordination with the efforts of 
Federal law enforcement agencies, can assist in bringing to justice 
those individuals responsible for the fires. Through their efforts, 
some progress has already been made. One of the principle Federal 
agencies working on these incidents has been the Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms. BATF has responded to these incidences by using 
additional resources and manpower. Their efforts have resulted in the 
resolution of some of these arson cases, some by arrest and others by 
designation as accidental. There still are a number of ongoing 
investigations and the fires continue to occur. Therefore, we must 
provide additional tools to BATF and other Federal law enforcement 
agencies so that they can more readily investigate and prosecute these 
heinous crimes.
  I urge my colleagues to stand with Congressman Hyde and Conyers in 
supporting this legislation. Passage of this legislation today will 
allow Congress to join in the healing process which has begun for those 
churches which are now rebuilding. It will also send a message from 
Congress that we do not condone or tolerate this type of activity in 
our Nation.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
bipartisan legislation introduced by our colleagues, Judiciary Chairman 
Henry Hyde and ranking member John Conyers, and to encourage the House 
to pass it unanimously. There is no more cowardly and offensive act 
than burning a community's place of worship. It is all the more 
unconscionable when it is done out of bigotry and hatred. This 
legislation will help the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 
ensure that justice will be swift and complete. Congress must make a 
strong proactive move to stop these burnings, bring the arsonists to 
justice, and help these communities rebuild.
  I extend my utmost sympathy to the ministers and their congregations 
all over the country who have lost their places of worship. I also call 
upon the victims of these terrible crimes to be strong and to direct 
your anger not toward revenge, but toward reconstruction and healing. 
As the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to Congress, I am all too 
familiar with the injustices of random, unprovoked acts of violence. We 
must use this opportunity to bare these extreme racists for who they 
are--unscrupulous criminals who deserve to be put in jail for a long 
time. It is imperative that we send a loud, clear, and firm message to 
the perpetrators of these sick crimes that Americans will not tolerate 
bigotry or hate crimes.
  It will take a concerted effort of every American from every region 
of the country to send the message that we must not slip back into a 
dark past when minorities lived in fear of intolerant racists. Mr. 
Speaker, let us lend our resources and wholehearted commitment to the 
Federal, State, and local authorities who are investigating this 
damaging epidemic. I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this 
legislation.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member is pleased to be a cosponsor 
of H.R. 3525, the Church Arson Prevention Act, and would urge his 
colleagues to support this bill.
  This measure is necessary because of the recent rash of church 
burnings which has occurred across the Nation. Over 30 black churches 
have been the victims of arson this year alone, and Federal help has 
been asked in catching those responsible. In fact, there have been over 
half a dozen church fires this week. This must stop. The Church Arson 
Prevention Act will give Federal prosecutors specific jurisdiction to 
prosecute those who damage religious property. It will also eliminate 
any monetary damage requirement for Federal prosecution. This 
legislation will give prosecutors a great opportunity to fight these 
terrible crimes, as the arson-investigating resources of the Bureau of 
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms can be called into play. The victims of 
these fires will be eligible under this bill to receive compensation 
from the crime victims trust fund.
  Mr. Speaker, it is this Member's hope that this legislation will 
quickly become law in order to help combat this rash of hatred and to 
punish those responsible for these crimes.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, considering that our country was founded on 
certain principles, among them the freedom of religious expression, it 
is utterly appalling that places of worship--homes to hundreds and 
hundreds of congregations--have apparently been targeted to bear the 
brunt of racial hatred and religious bigotry in this country.
  While I am absolutely outraged at the series of church fires that 
have brought us to this point, I am pleased that the Congress has 
worked swiftly and in a bipartisan manner to ensure that the church 
arson law is improved and strengthen. This is an issue that knows no 
color, race, or religion. It affects each and every one of us 
Americans; as a country.
  The passage of this bill will not heal the wounds created by the 
tragic burning of churches, nor help ease the pain felt by those who 
have seen their place of worship destroyed by the senseless and bigoted 
act of another. But this measure will help punish the instigators of 
these fires by making it easier to prosecute those responsible for 
these egregious acts. And in light of recent events, this could not be 
more timely nor more crucial.
  Mr. FRANKS of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, as I had done on June 13, 
1996, I rise once again to voice my support of H.R. 3525, the Church 
Arson Prevention Act of 1996 which has been offered by Congressman Hyde 
and Congressman Conyers and of which I am a proud cosponsor.
  Mr. Speaker, I and many of my colleagues have been alarmed by the 
rash of intentionally set church fires. Sadly, it has reached the point 
that it has become a daily occurrence. Seemingly, each day, we read in 
the papers or see on the morning news that our Nation will be 
supporting more burned-out churches upon its landscape--grotesque 
charred shells which remind us that there are those who would still 
practice racism and bigotry and prevent their fellow Americans from 
pursuing a terror-free life of happiness, freedom and religious 
liberty.
  As I have stated before, H.R. 3525 will make important and necessary 
changes to our laws which are presently on the books so that we can 
investigate, arrest, and convict more of those who terrorize with fire 
or vandalism.
  The bill would broaden the scope of present statute which makes it a 
crime to damage religious property or to obstruct a person in the free 
exercise of religious beliefs by applying criminal penalties if the 
offense is in, or affects interstate commerce. As I had mentioned 
before, both Congressman Hyde and Congressman Conyers have written H.R. 
3525 so it will provide the necessary amendment to our Federal statutes 
to grant Federal jurisdiction, and thus will augment the Attorney 
General's ability to prosecute arson cases of this nature.
  I am happy to report that this bill will eliminate the current dollar 
value of destruction which may occur before these crimes of desecration 
may be prosecuted. At the present time, our laws state that the loss 
from the destruction of property must be more than $10,000. Originally 
as written, H.R. 3525 would reduce that threshold to $5,000, but 
Messrs. Hyde and Conyers have properly seen fit to eliminate the 
threshold altogether. By eliminating the threshold, it will be easier 
for the Federal Government to prosecute more of these arson cases.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again congratulate Messrs. Hyde and Conyers on 
their work on this important bill. I also congratulate the other 91 
sponsors of this measure. Now is time for this House to let the people 
of America know that it will not tolerate the actions of bigots and 
racists. We must pass H.R. 3525 to deliver that message.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3525, 
the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996.
  On Monday night two churches were burned in Mississippi that bring 
sadness to me that this has happened in our State.
  This bill will give law enforcement officers the tools to bring to 
justice those who are responsible for these burnings. Also the bill 
will bring better cooperation between local, State and Federal law 
enforcement agencies to solve these terrible crimes.
  I am sure the people in Mississippi will pull together to rebuild 
these churches of God.
  I support this legislation. I hope the Senate and the President will 
act quickly on this bill.
  Mr. FAZIO of California. I rise today to offer my strong support for 
the bipartisan legislation before us. The Church Arson Prevention Act 
will make it easier to bring prosecutions and will stiffen penalties 
against those who target houses of worship.
  Over the last 18 months, 33 predominantly black churches have been 
burned down throughout the South. This outbreak of violence and racism 
recalls a time in our Nation's history when such acts were used to 
intimidate civil rights activists. We must not tolerate a rekindling of 
these flames of bigotry and hatred in our country as we approach the 
new century.
  These church fires, and the smoldering scourge of racism that we 
still confront in our society, have reminded us that there is much work 
to be done to achieve the goals of Dr. King and the millions of others 
who aspire to live in the colorblind society that he dreamed would 
become a reality.
  This legislation is a step in that direction, but we must do much 
more. As a nation, we

[[Page H6461]]

must stand together in opposition to those who advocate violence and 
racism. With one voice, we must be firm and unequivocal in our 
denunciation of such acts.
  As Abraham Lincoln said in 1858, ``a house divided against itself 
cannot stand.'' These prophetic words remain true in our day.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Church Arson 
Prevention Act (HR 3525). Sacred places of worship are under attack 
across America. Over the past 18 months, 35 black churches have been 
burned. This number rivals the number of churches that were the targets 
of vicious racial hatred four decades ago, in the years leading up to 
the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Mr. Speaker, we must not 
permit the forces of evil to turn back the hands of time. Church 
burnings will never destroy the spirit of those who have faith. Those 
who perpetrate these morbid crimes telecast themselves as the enemies 
of all who quest social justice. As legislators committed to racial 
equality we must condemn the violence and resist efforts to promote the 
despicable concept of white supremacy.
  The burning of black churches dramatizes the racist polarization 
which plagues our society. Congress must act with singular resolve to 
denounce these reprehensible acts of vandalism and the stupidity and 
hatred that spawn such unthinkable crimes. Government must employ all 
necessary resources to investigate these outrageous offenses and 
prosecute those responsible for such malicious acts of violence.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3525 which makes it 
a Federal crime to deface or destroy religious property. It will 
facilitate Federal authorities in prosecuting those guilty of the 
terrorist tactics involved in church burnings.
  Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my condolences to all of 
the families and congregations which have been victims of church 
burnings throughout our Nation, and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
3525, the Church Arson Prevention Act.
  Many religious groups and individuals in my community have provided 
support for those who have been displaced by the church burnings. The 
Reverend Mac Charles Jones, pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church in 
Kansas City, is one who is advocating nationally for African American 
congregations coping with this extraordinary misfortune. In his role as 
associate general secretary for racial justice of the National Council 
of Churches, Rev. Jones met with President Clinton last week urging 
Federal support in investigating the church burnings. Rev. Jones and 
other area ministers are seeking donations locally to assist the 
investigators and the victims. I salute everyone for demonstrating 
compassion and generosity during this difficult time, and encourage the 
broadest participation possible in rebuilding these spiritual 
structures.
  I am honored today to have the opportunity to do my part by 
supporting a bill to prevent these horrific acts of violence in the 
future. H.R. 3525 eliminates certain barriers to Federal prosecution of 
individuals suspected of church burning. For example, the current 
requirement that the offense cause at least $10,000 in damages before 
Federal action can be taken will be eliminated. Those who would deface 
or destroy religious property in the name of hate will be subject to 
Federal criminal charges.
  Healing the spiritual wounds caused by the destruction of one's place 
of worship will not come easily or quickly, but finding the individuals 
who are responsible and bringing them to justice is essential. I 
believe very strongly that local communities and the Federal Government 
must work together to see that these grave injustices are rectified. 
The Church Arson Prevention Act will aid communities and law 
enforcement in this effort, and will help deter future acts of 
terrorism on our churches and synagogues, which serve as the center of 
every community.
  The Jewish Community Relations Bureau, one of the many organizations 
in my community which has come to the aid of the victims of church 
burnings, has a saying:

       If injustice is occurring to one person, it's the same as 
     if it's happening to me.

  I urge my colleagues to act in the spirit of this sincere expression 
by voting for H.R. 3525.
  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Church 
Arson Prevention Act of 1996, and thank chairman Hyde and Ranking 
Member Conyers for their swift action in bringing this bill to the 
floor.
  Like millions of other Americans, I grew up attending a little 
country church. It was there along the banks of the Little Wabash River 
in White County, IL, that I learned the scripture lessons and the basic 
values which have guided my life and which are still today the 
foundation for who I am. That is not an unusual experience whatsoever, 
for Americans are a religious people and we live in a religious nation. 
We are a nation of religious tolerance, respecting differing 
denominations and religions as we all seek the solace and comfort of 
our faith.
  The church, as important as it was spiritually, was also important in 
a very physical, structural way, and it served as a gathering place in 
our little community.
  The church arsons which have scarred our physical, spiritual, and 
emotional connections to those churches are repugnant to all of us. We 
want the people who have suffered from these reprehensible acts to know 
that our thoughts and prayers are with them. And we want those who are 
responsible for these actions to know they will be held responsible.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Church 
Arson Prevention Act of 1996.
  I come to the House of Representatives having grown up as the child 
of an active Baptist minister in Alabama with fear that my family would 
be the target of church bombings that were all too common during the 
1950's. The burning of a church is nothing less than a cowardly act of 
terrorism upon the community that hosts the church.
  We are seeing church burnings in the African-American communities 
every day and we must put a stop to it. We do everything in our power 
to stop terrorism abroad, we must do nothing less to prevent this 
terror in these United States.
  The cowards who set these fires must be caught, brought to justice 
and punished severely. I hope that we will work together to help all 
Americans build a better nation and a better world.
  I urge each of my colleagues to vote in support of the Church Arson 
Prevention Act of 1996.
  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the 
Congressional Black Caucus and as a cosponsor of the Church Arson 
Prevention Act, I rise in strong support of this measure. It is 
imperative that we take immediate action to strengthen the ability of 
Federal law enforcement officials to respond to the alarming increase 
in church burnings in the South and other parts of the Nation. These 
incidents of hate call to mind ugly images of cross burnings and Klan 
rallies by false patriots determined to divide this Nation.

  Communities are now living in fear that their sacred houses of 
worship will be reduced to ashes overnight in the wake of this 
destructive spree. We need to send a clear signal to the perpetrators 
of these hate crimes that every law enforcement resource available will 
be used to bring them to justice. Not only does this bill clarify that 
Federal officials can become involved in investigations of church fires 
affecting interstate commerce; it also removes the current requirement 
that $10,000 in damage must occur before Federal intervention.
  Mr. Speaker, we know that a church is more than just the brick and 
mortar which make up the building. It is a place of hope and spiritual 
renewal, a center where communities gather in celebration of one of our 
most precious freedoms, the freedom of religion. Many congregations 
also run important services out of their church buildings, such as food 
pantries to feed the needy, activities for young people, and programs 
for seniors. The loss of a church is devastating; it goes far beyond 
the material loss and inflicts enormous emotional pain.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and stop the 
epidemic of hate and violence which has no place in this Nation.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is witnessing a frightening 
and despicable increase in violent attacks on places of worship. 
Indeed, since 1991, more than 152 houses of worship have been destroyed 
by arson or vandalism. And within the last 18 months, nearly 50 
African-American churches and 10 predominantly white churches have been 
desecrated. Just last night in Mississippi, two more churches were 
victims of arson.
  These attacks simply must be stopped. While arson is undeniably one 
of the most egregious crimes against society, it is even more heinous 
when committed against a sacred place of worship. Every American and 
every community must act against these crimes. And congress can take 
the first step by passing H.R. 3525, the Church Arson Prevention Act.
  Religion has been a central part of our Nation's culture and society. 
The burning or desecration of a place of worship not only destroys a 
vital and important physical structure and moral symbol, but it sends a 
message of hate and division within the community where the attack 
occurs. Congress must ensure that those responsible for such hideous 
acts be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
  This is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of justice. H.R. 3525 
addresses this problem by enhancing the Federal Government's ability to 
prosecute convicted arsonists and by removing the minimal damage 
requirement.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3525. We must send a 
clear and strong message that this dangerous and immoral behavior will 
not be tolerated anywhere in America.
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3525, the 
Church Arson Prevention Act. If this great Nation is to live up to

[[Page H6462]]

its pledge of liberty and justice for all, then we must come together 
to end the repugnant wave or racially motivated arsons perpetrated 
against African-American churches.
  After hearing today of yet two more burnings of predominantly 
African-American churches, the latest of more than 34 since January 
1995, I commend my colleagues Chairman Henry Hyde and John Conyers for 
proposing this crucial legislation. H.R. 3525 is an unequivocal 
representation of the Congress' condemnation of these acts of violence. 
This bill also provides for reasonable steps to fight these kinds of 
crimes. This legislation sensibly amends the United States Code to 
facilitate the use of Federal law to prosecute persons who attack 
religious property based on the race, color, or ethnic characteristics 
of persons associated with that property. In addition, this bill allows 
victims to obtain financial assistance under the victims of crime fund 
for any injuries caused by an attack on religious property.
  Mr. Speaker, I denounce the recent epidemic of arson against African-
American churches across this Nation. In addition to supporting H.R. 
3525, I am committed to insisting that law enforcement authorities do 
everything within their power to apprehend the persons responsible for 
such acts of unadulterated hatred. This bipartisan legislation being 
considered by the House of Representatives will certainly assist our 
efforts to prevent these immoral crimes.
  It is my hope that from the ashes of African-American churches 
Americans will come together to put an end to racial intolerance. I 
urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my outrage and that of 
good Americans across this great country at the wave of suspicious 
fires that have swept at least 30 churches in the South in recent 
months. Churches and synagogues are the cornerstones of our 
communities, providing the moral and spiritual cultivation that our 
society so desperately needs. I ask all my colleagues in the House to 
voice their condemnation of these deplorable acts. Vandalizing places 
of worship is not a partisan issue.
  I also call on all the moral leaders of our Nation and those of every 
religious background to stand against these acts of terror. Every 
synagogue, mosque and church is vulnerable to the same acts of 
terrorism committed against our black churches and it is crucial that 
leaders of every religious denomination speak out against the vandalism 
of our nation's houses of worship.
  It is a shame that the history of violence and intimidation towards 
black people in this country is repeating itself. Will we allow hate 
groups such as the Klu Klux Klan, the Aryan Nation, skinheads, and 
other white supremacist organizations to rise again? Will we allow the 
historic achievements of our courageous freedom fighters who sought to 
create a nation of fairness and racial harmony to be further defamed?
  In our society, arson of a church attended predominately by African-
Americans carries a unique and menacing threat to individuals in our 
Nation who remain physically vulnerable to acts of violence and 
intimidation because of their race. Such threats are intolerable and 
individuals responsible for such acts must be aggressively pursued and 
apprehended.
  As churches burn from flames of hate and intolerance, there are those 
in our society who would dismantle civil rights legislation and 
affirmative action that have provided assistance to groups in our 
Nation who have been discriminated against due to their race, sex, or 
religious beliefs.
  We as a nation must not allow the practice of scapegoating others 
because they are of a different race or nationality or poor to 
continue. Our Nation was built on diversity and we must refute any 
beliefs that condone or support an atmosphere of blame and intolerance 
against those in our society who are defenseless, particularly our 
sick, poor, and aged. Just as the churches, synagogues, and mosques 
shelter our weak and defenseless, we as Americans have an obligation to 
protect those houses of worship from vicious attacks.
  I commend President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno on their 
quick responses to investigate these criminal acts of terrorism and I 
hope those who make such threats will be prosecuted and will serve 
sentences commensurate with the cowardly and despicable nature of their 
actions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 3525, the Church Arson 
Prevention Act, I am pleased that the House is considering this 
important legislation.
  The legislation before us is straightforward. It will help law 
enforcement officials capture those responsible for these heinous 
crimes.
  Unfortunately, the motivation of those committing these acts is also 
straightforward--hate, ignorance and disrespect.
  More than 30 fires have occurred at churches throughout the South, 
leaving in their wake a fear that the demons of the past have risen 
again. This time they are not content to spew their slogans of hatred. 
Instead, their hate is at such a fever pitch that these brutes attack 
one of the most powerful symbols of community and love--places of 
worship.
  In the 1960's our Nation witnessed a dramatic struggle for racial 
equality. Efforts to give African-Americans equal opportunity were 
often met with violent protest, and America lost a number of brilliant 
young leaders to racial hatred and bigotry, including religious men 
like the Reverend Martin Luther King.
  In the end, the American ideal of equality won, and hate lost.
  Now, those who would tear our Nation apart have returned.
  We must collectively respond to this hatred. We cannot tolerate these 
deplorable acts against African-Americans and our places of worship. 
Indeed, the combination of this racial and religious intolerance is 
immoral and must be countered at every turn.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased the House will pass this legislation to 
fight these despicable acts, and the Senate should follow suit.
  In addition, I would urge the President and Assistant Attorney 
General Patrick to continue their efforts to bring the perpetrators of 
these hateful acts to justice--America's citizens of all races and 
religions deserve no less.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important 
legislation. These hate crimes against places of worship are simply 
intolerable and we in Congress must take quick and decisive action 
against these horrible acts of terrorism.
  While we are saddened by these tragedies we can take heart on the 
words of one of the ministers who said they have burned the building, 
but they haven't destroyed the church.
  I commend the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Hyde, its 
ranking member, Mr. Conyers, and all of my colleagues who are working 
together so effectively to see that this legislation is speedily passed 
in the hopes that the hatred that is rearing its ugly head will be 
stamped out.
  Yesterday, two more churches burned to the ground. Institutions of 
worship represent America's faith. Congress must give the Department of 
Justice the tools necessary to investigate, apprehend and prosecute 
those who destroy or desecrate religious property. Our religious 
liberty is at stake and people's lives are in danger.
  I join with my colleagues to act now to put out these fires of hatred 
and ignorance and to help with the healing of those in the communities 
affected.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Nethercutt). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3525, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule 1 and the Chair's 
prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________