[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN: ``MATTHEW'S LAW''

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce ``Matthew's 
Law.''
  Aimee Willard, Polly Klaas, Megan Kanka, and Matthew Cecchi, have one 
thing in common. They were children struck down by killers. Mr. 
Speaker, I believe that every Member in the House is tired of having to 
name bills after murdered children. We must work to prevent the killing 
by severely punishing those who take young lives.
  In November 1998, 9-year-old Matthew Cecchi was brutally murdered in 
Oceanside, CA. Matthew was not a troubled runaway. He was not a child 
that was allowed to wander far from his parents. He was not abducted or 
stolen. He simply walked into a public restroom alone. While his aunt 
waited outside, he was brutally murdered. His killer Brandon Wilson 
carefully stalked and hunted down this young and helpless child. This 
crime shocked our community and struck fear in the hearts of parents. 
Even today, communities in my district are building co-ed bathrooms for 
parents to use with children to ensure that this does not happen again. 
Nevertheless, parents should not fear taking their children to the 
park. They should not fear letting their children go to the bathroom. 
Our parks and public lands should be free from crime, free from fear 
and free from terror.
  That is why I am reintroducing ``Matthew's Law,'' to ensure that 
those who seek to harm the helpless are met with severe punishment, and 
to prevent crime by increasing the certainty of justice.
  ``Matthew's Law,'' will increase sentencing requirements for those 
individuals who commit federal violent crimes against children under 13 
years of age. It directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to increase by 
five levels the punishment for a crime of violence against a child. In 
most cases, this will result in a doubling of the punishment, and in 
the most violent cases increase the chance for life in prison or the 
death penalty.
  I believe that this additional punishment is important to deter 
violence against our children.
  ``Matthew's Law'' also directs the FBI to make available, when 
possible, assistance if requested by local law enforcement when a child 
is killed. In the case of Matthew Cecchi, it was not until his killer 
made another attack that he was captured. When a killer takes one of 
our children, we must mobilize our resources to stop that killer before 
he strikes again.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation tells killers and violent felons that 
our parks and public lands are for families and children, not for 
murderers.
  This legislation is about national leadership. It shows the States 
and local communities that the Federal Government will not tolerate 
violence against our children. And hopefully, they will follow our lead 
on this issue.
  This legislation is supported by the National Office of the Fraternal 
Order of Police, the Law Enforcement Association of America, and the 
family or Matthew Cecchi who never wants another family to face the 
tragedy they have seen.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation and a similar measure both passed with 
more than 400 votes on the House floor. On June 16, 1999, it passed as 
an amendment to juvenile justice, and similar bill passed on May 7, 
1996. This is sound legislation that will protect our children, and 
this Congress should pass it right away.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting ``Matthew's 
Law.''

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