[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE PRETRIAL DETENTION AND LIFETIME SUPERVISION OF 
                         TERRORISTS ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2003

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the 
Pretrial Detention and Lifetime Supervision of Terrorists Act of 2003.
  In a time when our country faces heightened security alerts and 
continues to battle against those that would harm our citizens, we 
cannot risk allowing terrorists to be set free while waiting for trial. 
Terrorists are unlikely to scale back their efforts to attack Americans 
anytime soon and, likewise, America should not scale back its efforts 
to fight and eliminate terrorism in all its forms.
  This commonsense legislation cracks down on terrorists by creating a 
presumption to deny the pre-trial release of those that commit 
terrorist crimes. Terrorists, and those that fund terrorists, are often 
highly organized. Because of the highly organized nature of most 
terrorist groups, the pre-trial release of these criminals would create 
unnecessary and extremely dangerous opportunities for terrorist groups 
to help these suspects flee the country before they could be brought to 
justice. This bill adds terrorist offenses to the list of offenses that 
create a presumption that the terrorist suspect is a flight risk and 
would pose a danger to the community if released. This provision will 
help keep dangerous terrorists where they belong: in prison.
  In addition, this legislation gives discretion to judges to impose 
lifetime supervision of terrorists once they are released from prison. 
Specifically, the bill would grant the judge this discretion for all 
terrorist offenses, not just those that result in death or serious 
injury. This provision will ensure that these who are convicted of 
terrorist crimes, including cyber terrorists and those that fund 
terrorist activities, will not be allowed to re-enter society and re-
ignite their efforts against the United States. America simply cannot 
take the chance that terrorists will stop engaging in terrorist 
activities merely because they haves served their time in prison. 
Giving judges the discretion to supervise these heinous and dangerous 
criminals after they are released from prison will help ensure the 
safety of America and her citizens.
  I believe that this is a good, commonsense bill that is necessary for 
the safety of our country. I urge each of my colleagues to support this 
important legislation.

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