[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1581]]
                      STRONG MESSAGE TO CRIMINALS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVEN SCHIFF

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill, along with 
the following Members of Congress: Mr. McCollum, Ms. Dunn, Mr. Calvert, 
Mr. Bereuter, and Mr. Redmond.
  In 1994, Three Strikes and You're Out became law. 18 U.S.C. 3559(c) 
provides for mandatory life imprisonment for individuals who commit 
more than two serious violent felonies or serious drug offenses. I 
supported this law and continue to believe that it can be a very 
important tool for law enforcement. There is, however, a loophole in 
the Three Strikes law: It applies only to individuals sentenced as 
adults. The Three Strikes law allows juveniles who commit serious 
violent felonies and serious drug offenses to rack up as many of these 
offenses as possible, then ignores those offenses once they become 
adults.
  This bill would require that a juvenile adjudication for an offense 
that would be considered a serious violent felony or serious drug 
offense if committed by an adult, count as one and only one strike for 
purposes of 18 U.S.C. 3559(c). This bill would hold accountable 
juveniles who commit serious violent criminal offenses, if they 
continue their criminal activity as adults. By making individuals 
accountable for the serious violent crimes they commit as juveniles, I 
believe we send a strong message that we are tough on criminals--of all 
ages.

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