[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 63 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E970-E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1279, GANG DETERRENCE AND COMMUNITY 
                         PROTECTION ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 6) to ensure 
     jobs for our future with secure, affordable, and reliable 
     energy:

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1279, the gang 
Deterrence and Community Protection Act. I am disappointed that

[[Page E971]]

the majority has chosen to address a very serious problem with 
unrealistic and potentially damaging solutions.
  Gang activity is a very real and dangerous problem. In my own 
district, gangs pose a severe threat to the youth in many communities. 
Just yesterday, I spoke at length with a constituent whose son has 
suffered permanent and irreversible brain injury from a beating at the 
hands of a local gang.
  There is much that Congress can and should do to help keep our youth 
out of gangs and strengthen our law enforcement efforts against gangs. 
Gangs are tough and gang members often do not respond to mild measures. 
We should increase the resources available to gang prevention, 
intervention, and suppression programs, such as the Juvenile 
Delinquency Protection Block Grant (JJDPBG). These programs have been 
very effective in helping youth make the correct decisions with regard 
to gang activity.
  We should increase the resources available to our public schools. All 
too often, youth join gangs because they feel that it is the only 
option available to them. By helping our teachers, administrators, and 
school systems, we can show them other, more promising, options.
  We should oppose the reduction or elimination of programs that put 
police officers on our streets. Since 1994, the Community Oriented 
Policing Services (COPS) program has funded 4,806 additional police 
officers and sheriffs deputies to prevent crime in New Jersey. It has 
allowed New Jersey to spend $45 million on crime-fighting technologies. 
We should be having a serious discussion about why this successful 
program warrants an 80 percent cut in the Republican budget for Fiscal 
Year 2006.
  Unfortunately, this legislation proposes ineffective and damaging 
solutions to this serious problem. Mandatory minimum sentencing 
guidelines discount mitigating factors in crimes and are discriminatory 
towards people of color. It is time to give up the Congressional 
fascination with mandatory sentencing. It does not work. It may make 
the legislator feel good, but it hinders the judicial process, and most 
important it does not stop crime or deter criminals.
  Also, diverting youth to the adult criminal justice system does 
nothing to deter crimes. In fact, youth tried and sentenced as adults 
are much more likely to commit violent crime after being released. 
Further, I am concerned that H.R. 1279 provides no exception for youth 
who have mental health problems and may not be competent to stand trial 
as adults.
  I am happy that Congress is addressing this issue, which has affected 
so many communities across New Jersey and the country. Serious crimes 
like murder, assault, and rape at the hands of gangs and criminal 
enterprises clearly deserve our attention. However, this bill proposes 
solutions that do nothing to deter youth from gang membership or 
strengthen the law enforcement presence in our communities.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 1279.

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