[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CHURCH ARSON PREVENTION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 1996

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my outrage over the 
arsons that have destroyed over 110 churches across the country. These 
vile and cowardly acts threaten our constitutional right to worship 
freely and safely. H.R. 3525 is a good first step in preventing these 
heinous attacks on religious freedom. In my opinion, however, it is 
just a first step and there is far more this body can and should do.
  Mr. Speaker, the deliberate burning of churches, synagogues, and 
mosques constitutes a national emergency, and stopping the fires should 
be our top priority. Every means available to us should be put to use, 
including the use of the National Guard. We need to make available 
increased funding and resources for our law enforcement agencies so 
that they may be better able to prevent and solve these acts of hatred. 
It is essential that we create a national clearinghouse to monitor, 
compile, and scrutinize information relating to these fires. 
Furthermore greater support and funding for watchdog groups needs to be 
made available.
  We need to encourage the establishment of a national dialog on the 
impact and prevention of these depraved acts. It is only through 
increased cooperation and strict enforcement will be able to prevent 
future attacks on our sacred places of worship.
  I encourage my fellow Members of Congress to stand together with the 
American people and tell those who are perpetrating these crimes that 
we will not be victims of their hate and cowardice.

                          ____________________