[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1812-E1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      INTRODUCTION OF H. RES. 518

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I am inserting into the Record 
correspondence and a resolution having to do with the CIA involvement 
in introducing crack cocaine into the Los Angeles area to help support 
the Contras.


                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, August 20, 1996.
     Hon. Janet Reno,
     Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Attorney General: It is with great alarm that I 
     have read, in the San Jose Mercury News and other news 
     publications, of the involvement of the U.S. Central 
     Intelligence Agency in the introduction, financing, and 
     distribution of crack cocaine into the Compton and South 
     Central areas of my District. As the elected representative 
     of these areas, I am both appalled and extremely distressed 
     by these reports and am asking that the Department of Justice 
     conduct a full scale investigation into these allegations.
       As you are no doubt aware, crack cocaine is one of today's 
     major problems facing not only the area that I represent but 
     also hundreds of thousands of Americans nation-wide. The mere 
     idea that our government could have, in any way, been 
     involved in the financing or distribution of this horrendous 
     drug is repulsive to me. I believe that it is incumbent upon 
     us, the elected federal representatives of the people, to 
     look into this matter and determine what, if any role, the 
     federal government played in ruining the lives of hundreds of 
     thousands, if not millions, of people. I am sure you would 
     agree that we need to determine the extent to which the 
     government was involved in the cocaine trade in Lose 
     Angeles--or anywhere else for that matter--if we are to 
     continue to hold the trust of the people.
       Please advise me as soon as possible what you and your 
     agency are doing to address these allegations. I will not 
     allow this matter to rest until I am satisfied that we have 
     the answers to the many questions that have been raised in 
     the last few days. I look forward to working with you in 
     investigating this matter as well as in addressing the larger 
     question of how we help the millions of people whose lives 
     have been adversely affectd by this insidious drug. Thank you 
     in advance for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                       Juanita Millender-McDonald,
     Member of Congress.
                                                                    ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, August 20, 1996.
     Hon. John Deutch,
     Director, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
       Dear Director Deutch: It is with great alarm that I have 
     read, in the San Jose Mercury News and other news 
     publications, of the involvement of the U.S. Central 
     Intelligence Agency in the introduction, financing, and 
     distribution of crack cocaine into the Compton and South 
     Central areas of my District. As the elected representative 
     of these areas, I am both appalled and extremely distressed 
     by these reports and am asking that the Department of Justice 
     conduct a full scale investigation into these allegations.
       As you are no doubt aware, crack cocaine is one of today's 
     major problems facing not only the area that I represent but 
     also hundreds of thousands of Americans nation-wide. The mere 
     idea that our government could have, in any way, been 
     involved in the financing or distribution of this horrendous 
     drug is repulsive to me. I believe that it is incumbent upon 
     us, the elected federal representatives of the people, to 
     look into this matter and determine what, if any role, the 
     federal government played in ruining the lives of hundreds of 
     thousands, if not millions, of people. I am sure you would 
     agree that we need to determine the extent to which the 
     government was involved in the cocaine trade in Lose 
     Angeles--or anywhere else for that matter--if we are to 
     continue to hold the trust of the people.
       Please advise me as soon as possible what you and your 
     agency are doing to address these allegations. I will not 
     allow this matter to rest until I am satisfied that we have 
     the answers to the many questions that have been raised in 
     the last few days. I look forward to working with you in 
     investigating this matter as well as in addressing the larger 
     question of how we help the millions of people whose lives 
     have been adversely

[[Page E1813]]

     affectd by this insidious drug. Thank you in advance for your 
     attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                       Juanita Millender-McDonald,
     Member of Congress.
                                                                    ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, August 20, 1996.
     Hon. Larry Combest,
     Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, 
         Washington, DC. 20515
       Dear Congressman Larry Combest: It is with great alarm that 
     I have read, in the San Jose Mercury News and other news 
     publications, of the involvement of the U.S. Central 
     Intelligence Agency in the introduction, financing, and 
     distribution of crack cocaine into the Compton and South 
     Central Los Angeles areas of my district. As the elected 
     representative of these areas, I am both appalled and 
     extremely distressed by these reports and am asking that your 
     committee conduct a full scale investigation into these 
     allegations.
       As you are no doubt aware, crack cocaine is one of today's 
     major problems facing not only the area that I represent but 
     also hundreds of thousands of Americans nation-wide. The mere 
     idea that our government could have, in any way, been 
     involved in the financing or distribution of this horrendous 
     drug is repulsive to me. I believe that it is incumbent upon 
     us, as elected representatives of the people, to look into 
     this matter and determine what, if any role, the federal 
     government played in ruining the lives of hundreds of 
     thousands, if not millions, of people. I am sure you agree 
     that we need to determine the extent to which the government 
     was involved in the cocaine trade in Los Angeles--or anywhere 
     else for that matter--if we are to continue to hold the trust 
     of the people.
       Please advise me as soon as possible what you committee 
     intends to do to address these allegations. I will not allow 
     this matter to rest until I am satisfied that we have all the 
     answers to the many questions that have been raised in the 
     last few days. I look forward to working with you in 
     investigating this matter as well as in addressing the larger 
     question of how we help the millions of people whose lives 
     have been adversely affected by this insidious drug. Thank 
     you in advance for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                       Juanita Millender-McDonald,
                                               Member of Congress.
                                  ____
                                  


                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, August 20, 1996.
     Hon. Norman Dicks,
     Ranking Democratic Member, Select Committee on Intelligence, 
         Washington, DC. 20515
       Dear Congressman Norman Dicks: It is with great alarm that 
     I have read, in the San Jose Mercury News and other news 
     publications, of the involvement of the U.S. Central 
     Intelligence Agency in the introduction, financing, and 
     distribution of crack cocaine into the Compton and South 
     Central Los Angeles areas of my district. As the elected 
     representative of these areas, I am both appalled and 
     extremely distressed by these reports and am asking that your 
     committee conduct a full scale investigation into these 
     allegations.
       As you are no doubt aware, crack cocaine is one of today's 
     major problems facing not only the area that I represent but 
     also hundreds of thousands of Americans nation-wide. The mere 
     idea that our government could have, in any way, been 
     involved in the financing or distribution of this horrendous 
     drug is repulsive to me. I believe that it is incumbent upon 
     us, as elected representatives of the people, to look into 
     this matter and determine what, if any role, the federal 
     government played in ruining the lives of hundreds of 
     thousands, if not millions, of people. I am sure you agree 
     that we need to determine the extent to which the government 
     was involved in the cocaine trade in Los Angeles--or anywhere 
     else for that matter--if we are to continue to hold the trust 
     of the people.
       Please advise me as soon as possible what you committee 
     intends to do to address these allegations. I will not allow 
     this matter to rest until I am satisfied that we have all the 
     answers to the many questions that have been raised in the 
     last few days. I look forward to working with you in 
     investigating this matter as well as in addressing the larger 
     question of how we help the millions of people whose lives 
     have been adversely affected by this insidious drug. Thank 
     you in advance for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                       Juanita Millender-McDonald,
                                               Member of Congress.
                                  ____
                                  


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, September 3, 1996.
     Hon. Donald Payne,
     Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Donald Payne: Please find enclosed a copy of 
     my letter to Congressman Larry Combest, Chairman of the House 
     Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, requesting his 
     committee to look into published news accounts which 
     implicate the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in the 
     establishment and proliferation of drug trafficking in South 
     Central Los Angeles in the early and mid-1980s.
       I propose that the Congressional Black Caucus hold a field 
     hearing on this issue in the 37th Congressional District on 
     Saturday, October 19, 1996. California's 37th Congressional 
     District includes the South Central Los Angeles communities 
     of Watts, Willowbrook and Compton. These areas have been hard 
     hit by the proliferation of crack cocaine, gangs and gun 
     violence. A field hearing sponsored by the CBC and hosted by 
     me and other Members of Los Angeles delegation would serve to 
     keep this issue before the local news in the largest media 
     market in the country and is certain to gain national 
     exposure. It would also serve to maintain pressure on the 
     Justice Department, Central Intelligence Agency and our 
     Intelligence Committee colleagues to thoroughly investigate 
     these issues. Moreover, we could announce the hearing during 
     the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative 
     Conference.
       I would appreciate your favorable consideration of this 
     proposal and response as soon as possible so that I can 
     direct my staff appropriately. Should you have any questions, 
     or wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to 
     contact me at (310) 549-0537.
           Warm regards,
                                       Juanita Millender-McDonald,
                                               Member of Congress.

     Enclosure.

                              H. Res. 518

       Resolved,
       (a) There is established in the House of Representatives a 
     select committee to be known as the Select Committee to 
     Investigate CIA Involvement in Crack Cocaine Sales in South 
     Central Los Angeles (thereafter referred to in this 
     resolution as the ``select committee'').
       (b) The select committee shall be composed of 27 Members of 
     the House to be appointed by the Speaker, one of whom he 
     shall designate as chairman, and one of whom he shall 
     designate as vice chairman. Not more than 15 members of the 
     select committee shall be of the same political party. Any 
     vacancy occurring in the membership of the select committee 
     shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 
     appointment was made.
       (c) The select committee is authorized and directed to 
     conduct a full and complete investigation and study, and to 
     make such findings and recommendations to the House as the 
     select committee deems appropriate, regarding the alleged 
     involvement of the Central Intelligence Agency in the 
     financing, distribution, and sale of crack cocaine in south 
     central Los Angeles and the surrounding area and its further 
     involvement in the use of profits from such alleged 
     activities to fund anti-government forces in Nicaragua.
       (d) One-third of the members of the select committee shall 
     constitute a quorum for the transaction of business other 
     than the reporting of a matter, which shall require a 
     majority of the committee to be actually present, except that 
     the select committee may designate a lesser number, but not 
     less than two, as a quorum for the purpose of holding 
     hearings to take testimony. When a quorum for any particular 
     purpose is present, general proxies may be counted for that 
     purpose. The select committee may sit while the House is 
     reading a measure for amendment under the five-minute 
     rule. The rules of the House shall govern the select 
     committee where not inconsistent with this resolution. The 
     select committee shall adopt additional written rules, 
     which shall be public, to govern its procedures, which 
     shall not be inconsistent with this resolution or the 
     rules of the House. Such rules may govern the conduct of 
     the depositions, interviews, and hearings of the select 
     committee, including the persons present.
       (e) The select committee is authorized to sit and act 
     during the present Congress at such times and places within 
     the United States, including any Commonwealth or possession 
     thereof, or in any other country, whether the House is in 
     session, has recessed, or has adjourned; to require, by 
     subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such 
     witnesses, the furnishing of information by interrogatory, 
     and the production of such books, records, correspondence, 
     memoranda, papers, documents, calendars, recordings, data 
     compilations from which information can be obtained, tangible 
     objects, and other things and information of any kind as it 
     deems necessary, including all intelligence materials however 
     classified; and to obtain evidence in other appropriate 
     countries with the cooperation of their governments. Unless 
     otherwise determined by the select committee the chairman, 
     upon consultation with the ranking minority member, or the 
     select committee, shall authorize and issue subpoenas. 
     Subpoenas shall be issued under the seal of the House and 
     attested by the Clerk, and may be served by any persons 
     designated by the chairman or any member. Provisions may be 
     included in the rules and process of the select committee to 
     prevent the disclosure of committee demands for information. 
     The select committee may request investigations, reports, and 
     other assistance from any agency of the executive, 
     legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government.
       (f) The chairman, or in his absence the vice chairman, or 
     in their absence a member designated buy the chairman, shall 
     preside at all meetings and hearings of the select committee. 
     All meetings and hearings of the committee shall be conducted 
     in open session, unless a majority of members of the select 
     committee voting, there being in attendance the requisite 
     number required for the purpose of hearings to take 
     testimony, vote to close a meeting or hearing. Pursuant to 
     rule XI(3)(f)(2), coverage of testimony of

[[Page E1814]]

     subpoenaed witnesses will be limited at their request, unless 
     a majority of members of the select committee voting, there 
     being in attendance the requisite number required for the 
     conduct of business, vote otherwise.
       (g) The chairman, upon consultation with the ranking 
     minority member, may employ and fix the compensation of such 
     clerks, experts, consultants, technicians, attorneys, 
     investigators, and clerical and stenographic assistants as it 
     considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
     resolution. No more than three such staff may receive 
     compensation corresponding to Executive Level IV. The select 
     committee shall be deemed a committee of the House for all 
     purposes of law, including rule XI(2)(n), and sections 6005, 
     1505, and 1621 of title 18, section 192 of title 2, 
     1754(b)(1)(B)(ii) of title 22, and section 734(a) of title 
     31, United States Code. The select committee may reimburse 
     the members of its staff for travel, subsistence, and other 
     necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of the 
     duties vested in the select committee, other than expenses in 
     connection with meetings of the select committee held in the 
     District of Columbia. Staff of the House of joint committees, 
     at the direction of their Members, committee chairmen, or the 
     Speaker, as appropriate, and upon request of the select 
     committee, may serve as associate staff to the select 
     committee for designated purposes. Associate staff shall be 
     deemed staff of the select committee to the extent necessary 
     for those designated purposes.
       (h) Unless otherwise determined by the select committee the 
     chairman, upon consultation with the ranking minority member, 
     or the select committee, may authorize the taking of 
     affidavits, and of depositions pursuant to notice or 
     subpoena, by a Member or by designated staff, under oath 
     administered by a Member or a person otherwise authorized by 
     law to administer oaths. Deposition and affidavit testimony 
     shall be deemed to have been taken in Washington, DC, before 
     the select committee once filed there with the clerk of the 
     committee for the committee's use. Unless otherwise directed 
     by the committee, all depositions, affidavits, and other 
     materials received in the investigation shall be considered 
     nonpublic until received by the select committee, except that 
     all such material shall, unless otherwise directed by the 
     committee, be available for use by the Members of the select 
     committee in open session.
       (i) The select committee shall be authorized to respond to 
     any judicial or other process, or to make any applications to 
     court, upon consultation with the Speaker consistent with 
     rule L.
       (j) The select committee may submit to standing committees, 
     including the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, 
     specific matters within their jurisdiction, and may request 
     that such committees pursue such matters further. Committees 
     pursuing such requested inquiries may, in turn, receive the 
     continuing assistance, consistent with the select committee's 
     own jurisdiction, of the select committee's legal process, 
     personnel, and records. Committees which pursue or have 
     pursued inquiries, during the previous or current Congress, 
     within the subjects of the select committee investigation 
     shall furnish the select committee with copies of all 
     testimony and documents.
       (k) There shall be paid out of applicable accounts of the 
     House such sums as may be necessary for the expenses of the 
     select committee. Such payments shall be paid on vouchers 
     signed by the chairman and approved in the manner directed by 
     the Committee on House Oversight. Amounts made available 
     under this subsection shall be expended in accordance with 
     regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Oversight of 
     the House.
       (l) The select committee shall report to the House the 
     final results of its investigation and study as soon as 
     practicable during the present Congress. Following the filing 
     of its final report, it shall have one month before the 
     authority herein shall expire in order to close its affairs, 
     including provision of assistance to committees pursuing 
     remaining inquiries, transmittal of records to other 
     committees, and storage of its remaining records by the Clerk 
     of the House, who may, as directed by the select committee, 
     store records in secure facilities of the intelligence 
     community pursuant to agreement retaining control of access 
     by the House.

                          ____________________