[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H643-H644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1315
                 FALSE BOMB THREAT PENALTY ACT OF 1997

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Kennelly] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about 
legislation that I plan to introduce later this afternoon. This 
legislation is titled ``False Bomb Threat Penalty Act of 1997.''
  Unfortunately, in this day and age, we are concerned about bombings. 
We have a situation now in the State of Georgia that is causing great 
concern because there have been incidences of bombing. We have to take 
those situations very, very seriously.
  I am introducing a piece of legislation that has to do with what we 
have to worry about in everyday life all across these United States, 
and this is the fact that there are false bomb threats. This 
legislation that I am going to introduce will institute a mandatory 
minimum penalty of 1 year for anyone willfully making a false bomb 
threat.
  Current law allows a sentence of up to 10 years or a fine if one does 
this, or both, for placing a false bomb threat, but I believe we must 
institute a more stringent penalty for the commission of this crime. A 
clear message must be sent that we will no longer tolerate actions like 
false bomb threats which can cause injury to property and to life.
  One constant concern about false bomb threats is that injuries can 
occur when individuals, often in panic, evacuate a building or a home. 
Another concern, one that I am very concerned about and have seen this 
type of action happen, is just the opposite of what I have just talked 
about, and that situation is when repeated bomb threats

[[Page H644]]

happen, we can have the situation of apathy. If this occurs, people may 
not evacuate and serious injury or death can occur if a bomb does 
exist, and this has to do with the very basic tenets of public safety.
  This crime should not be tolerated, and I believe it is important to 
send a clear message to individuals who engage in making a false bomb 
threat that there will be repercussions for their actions.
  We must continue our efforts to remain tough on crime. We read that 
by being tough on crime we are seeing the statistics go down, we are 
seeing everyday life being made better, and we have to work 
continually. We as lawmakers have to be very sure that we are involved 
constantly in making sure that we have the most secure environment for 
the people in these United States. Something as basic as this type of 
situation should not be tolerated and this legislation would make it 
known that one cannot in fact take advantage of others and make false 
bomb threats.

                          ____________________