[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TIME TO RESTORE LOST FAITH IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

  (Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago Amadou Diallo was shot to death in 
the vestibule of his Bronx apartment.
  Last week, the four New York City police officers who shot and killed 
unarmed Amadou Diallo were found not guilty of any crime related to his 
death and walked out of the Albany courthouse as free men.
  Sadly, Diallo's death is the final consequence of a city police 
system where law enforcement officers are allowed to run amuck.
  This dismal loss of life just highlights the need to rein in 
unchecked police officers and curb reckless, aggressive law enforcement 
activities. We need better police training, training that addresses 
diversity and sensitivity issues, training that includes conflict 
management, how to diffuse a situation without using a gun.
  Maybe then we can restore some of the lost faith and trust in law 
enforcement officers and in the criminal justice system. We have to 
hold law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. There can 
be no more Amadou Diallo-like deaths in this Nation.

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