[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 96 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H4922-H4923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STRENGTHENING FEDERAL LAWS AGAINST CRIMINALS WHO COMMIT CRIMES AGAINST 
                                CHILDREN

  (Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 
Joan's Law Act of 1997. This legislation will reflect the recently 
enacted New Jersey Joan's Law.
  I introduced this bill on behalf of the family and friends of Joan 
D'Alesandro, a 7-year-old Hillsdale, NJ, girl who was raped and 
murdered in 1973. Joan's murderer, who lived across the street and 
participated in the family's search for their daughter, was sentenced 
to 20 years in prison. Now eligible for parole, he has twice sought 
release since his incarceration.
  Mr. Speaker, my bill states that any person who is convicted of a 
Federal offense defined as a serious violent felony should be sentenced 
either to death or imprisonment for life when the victim of the crime 
is 14 years of age or younger and dies as a result of the offense. This 
bill sends the strongest possible message to anyone who would take the 
life of a child: If you do so, you will either forfeit your own life or 
live out all your remaining days in a Federal prison.

[[Page H4923]]

  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation.

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