[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE DRUG-FREE SCHOOL ZONE ENFORCEMENT ACT

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                          HON. JAMES E. ROGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 1999

  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, as you know, our nation's schools have become 
playgrounds for drug dealers. Every day, thousands of children get 
hooked on drugs in and around our local schools. Meanwhile, our local 
communities struggle to hold back the rising tide of drug crime. Sadly, 
local efforts to protect our nation's school zones have received little 
direct federal support.
  As a former gang murder prosecutor in Los Angeles County, who 
prosecuted drug dealers who got children hooked on drugs, I know the 
limitations our local governments face in their war on drugs. That is 
why I am introducing the bipartisan Drug-Free School Zone Enforcement 
Act.
  The Drug-Free School Zone Enforcement Act will provide $150 million 
of the Safe and Drug Free Schools money appropriated each year to local 
governments, so that they may take steps to reduce drug crimes within a 
one-mile radius of any school. In addition, this bill will allow 
communities to hire additional law enforcement agents and prosecutors, 
and coordinate drug enforcement efforts with state and federal 
agencies. Finally, this bill will require that 95 percent of these 
funds must go to local communities.
  Mr. Speaker, now is the time to show that Congress means business in 
fighting the drug war on a local level. As we begin to focus on our 
priorities on education and keeping drugs away from our children, I 
urge that Members join me in supporting the Drug-Free School Zone 
Enforcement Act.

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