[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
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

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                               speech of

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1279. This 
punitive bill does nothing to help fight and deter the root of the gang 
problem plaguing our neighborhoods. I represent communities that are 
afflicted with gang violence, and I know first hand the suffering that 
families have to go through as a result. I support a combined approach 
to the gang problem that encourages prevention, intervention and 
suppression.
  This bill is filled with criminal sanctions that would only help 
exacerbate the gang problem. The legislation would federalize a host of 
crimes currently and competently handled by the states. It would also 
penalize even non-violent drug dealing and some misdemeanors as crimes 
of violence. Without reason, the legislation expands the definition of 
criminal street gang. The bill imposes unduly harsh and discriminatory 
mandatory minimum sentences and expands the use of the federal death 
penalty to new offenses.
  I strongly oppose the provision that allows the government sole 
discretion in deciding whether or not to try juveniles as adults. It is 
a proven fact that prosecuting children as adults increases, not 
decreases, crime. Study after study has shown that youth transferred to 
the adult criminal justice system are more likely to re-offend and to 
commit more serious crimes upon release than youth who remained in the 
juvenile system. At a time when the Bush administration has proposed 
huge cuts to programs that serve our youth, it is irresponsible to pass 
legislation that would only destabilize our communities and aggravate 
crime.
  This bill is a simplistic approach to a complex problem that has its 
roots in the lack of a quality education and after school programs and 
negative influences from adults and broken families, among other 
problems. Our society must provide young people with meaningful 
alternatives that will draw them away from the gang lifestyle. We 
should not be soft on crime; my community has suffered for many years 
and we know how gang violence has scarred our families. That is why we 
must punish those who need to be punished while also remembering to 
give youth the opportunity to succeed in life. I support effective 
measures to combat gang-related crime and this bill completely fails to 
do that.

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