[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO HELP STATES PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEX OFFENDERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Gutknecht] is 
recognized during morning hour debates for 2 minutes.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Madam Speaker, I join my colleague today, the 
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Nick Lampson, and congratulate Texas law 
enforcement agents for identifying a prime suspect in the kidnapping 
and murder of young Laura Smither, but I also share his frustration 
that things might have turned out differently.
  We need tougher mandatory sentences; we need more effective community 
notification programs. While every State now registers child sex 
offenders, many of their notification programs have been stalled by 
legal challenges and confusion. This is unacceptable.
  To help the States, 31 of my colleagues have joined me in introducing 
a resolution which gives the States a model community notification 
program that they can follow, if they choose. This resolution is not a 
Federal mandate. Instead, it expresses the sense of Congress that 
States should enact a tier-based system, like nine States have already 
done successfully.
  For example, a released sex offender posing a high risk of repeating 
his crimes moves into a community. Everyone, police officers, past 
victims, and, most importantly, neighborhood parents, are notified.
  As someone who served in the State legislature for 12 years, I urge 
my colleagues to join me in helping the States to protect America's 
children. Cosponsor House Concurrent Resolution 125.

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