[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   H.R. 3375: CONVICTED OFFENDER DNA INDEX SYSTEM SUPPORT ACT OF 1999

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I'm introducing H.R. 3375, the 
Convicted Offender DNA Index System Support Act of 1999. This 
legislation will provide assistance to the States to eliminate their 
backlog of convicted offender DNA samples, provide grants to the States 
to eliminate their backlog of DNA evidence for cases for which there 
are no suspects, provide funding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
(FBI) to eliminate their unsolved casework backlog, expand collection 
efforts to include Federal, District of Columbia (DC) and military 
violent convicted offenders into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), 
and authorize the construction of a missing persons database. Joining 
me as cosponsors are, my friends and colleagues, co-chairman of the 
Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, Congressmen Jim Ramstad of 
(Minnesota) and Bart Stupak of Michigan.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1994, the Congress passed the DNA Identification Act, 
which authorized the construction of the Combined DNA Index System, or 
CODIS, to assist our Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies 
in fighting violent crime throughout the Nation. CODIS is a master 
database for all law enforcement agencies to submit and retrieve DNA 
samples of convicted violent offenders. Since beginning its operation 
in 1998, the system has worked extremely well in assisting law 
enforcement by matching DNA evidence with possible suspects and has 
accounted for the capture of over 200 suspects in unsolved violent 
crimes.
  However, because of the high volume of convicted offender samples 
needed to be analyzed, a nationwide backlog of approximately 600,000 
unanalyzed convicted offender DNA samples has formed. Furthermore, 
because the program has been so vital in assisting crime fighting and 
prevention efforts, our States are expanding their collection efforts. 
Recently, although New York State already has a backlog of 
approximately 2,000 samples, Governor George Pataki recently announced 
that the State will be expanding their collection of DNA samples to 
require all violent felons and a number of nonviolent felony offenders.
  State forensic laboratories have also accumulated a backlog of 
evidence for cases for which there are no suspects. These are evidence 
``kits'' for unsolved violent crimes which are stored away because our 
State forensic laboratories do not have the support necessary to 
analyze them and compare the evidence to our nationwide data bank. 
Presently, there are approximately 12,000 rape cases in New York City 
alone, and, it is estimated, approximately 180,000 rape cases 
nationwide, which are unsolved and unanalyzed. This number represents a 
dismal future for the success of CODIS and reflects the growing problem 
facing our law enforcement community. The successful elimination of 
both the convicted violent offender backlog and the unsolved casework 
backlog will play a major role in the future of our State's crime 
prevention and law enforcement efforts.
  The Convicted Offender DNA Index System Support Act will also provide 
funding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to eliminate their 
unsolved casework backlog and close a loophole created by the original 
legislation. Although all 50 States require DNA collection from 
designated convicted offenders, for some inexplicable reason, convicted 
Federal, District of Columbia, and military offenders are exempt. H.R. 
3375 closes that loophole by requiring the collection of samples from 
any Federal, military, or DC offender convicted of a violent crime.
  Moreover, this measure includes a provision, which will permit the 
FBI to construct a missing person database. This program will permit 
family members who have lost a loved one to voluntarily enter their DNA 
profile into a national registry. Should a missing child be found, this 
database will provide our law enforcement agencies with a system to 
locate the displaced families and bring the child home. Furthermore, it 
will allow individuals who, in later years, suspect they have been 
abducted to refer to the FBI in search of a match to their DNA.
  I recently assisted in coordinating a pilot program between the 
National Center for Missing and Abducted Children, the Department of 
State, the Department of Justice, and the Rockland County, New York 
Clerk's and Sheriff's Offices, which will assist in stopping 
individuals from smuggling children out of the country. This program is 
an important step in protecting our Nation's children. However, 
constructing a missing person's database will provide a strong, 
national foundation to assist our Nation's families and law enforcement 
in the fight against child abduction.
  Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, our Nation's fight against crime is 
never over. Every day, the use of DNA evidence is becoming a more 
important tool to our Nation's law enforcement in solving crimes, 
convicting the guilty and exonerating the innocent. The Justice 
Department estimates that erasing the convicted offender backlog 
nationwide could resolve at least 600 cases. The true amount of 
unsolved cases, both State and Federal, which may be concluded through 
the elimination of both backlogs is unknown. However, if one more case 
is solved and one more violent offender is detained because of our 
efforts, we have succeeded.
  In conclusion, as we prepare to step into the 21st century, we must 
ensure that our Nation's law enforcement has the equipment and support 
necessary to fight violent crime and protect our communities. H.R. 
3375, the Convicted Offender DNA Index System Support Act, will assist 
our local, State, and Federal law enforcement personnel by ensuring 
that crucial resources are provided to our DNA data-banks and crime 
laboratories.

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