[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CHILD ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 7, 2002

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I support the underlying objective of 
the bill, to expand the Amber Alert system nationwide and to improve 
the National Coordination of Amber Alert Communications to help save 
the lives of kidnapped children. Unfortunately, a wide range of 
troubling provisions were added by the House Judiciary Committee. For 
example, this bill would include a provision to expand the type of 
homicide that can be punished by the death penalty. It would also 
increase mandatory sentencing, thus further eliminating judicial 
discretion and potentially leading to unfair punishments.
  By bringing this bill to the floor in the form of a suspension bill, 
the opportunity for amendment and discussion of these controversial 
provisions has been hindered. I therefore withhold my support for H.R. 
5422.

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