[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E351]]
           CHILDREN'S SAFETY AND VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2006

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 
4472, the Chidren's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act. By bringing 
to the floor bills that already passed the House but with a few key 
provisions stripped, the House leadership is using procedural maneuvers 
to thwart the bill supported by a bipartisan majority of House members 
and by a significant majority of Americans. I am particularly outraged 
that the leadership jettisoned the hate crimes provisions from H.R. 
3132, which passed by a strong bipartisan vote of 223 to 199 last 
September.
  While all of us want to protect our children, we cannot fully reduce 
crime and protect child safety without acknowledging the terrorizing 
impact that hate-motivated violence has in our society. I have serious 
concerns with several provisions included in H.R. 4472, most notably 
the provisions that would impose harsh, new mandatory minimums, expand 
the number of federal crimes that carry the death penalty, and subject 
children to adult trials and adult sentences. However, I have more 
concerns about what is not in the bill. Last September, the House voted 
to protect children from sexual predators and from the perpetrators of 
hate-crimes. This bill retreats from that position and will leave our 
children vulnerable to violence on the basis of their sexual 
orientation, disability, gender, ethnicity, race or religion. Our 
children deserve better from us.
  I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 4472 and enact long overdue hate 
crimes legislation that will send a clear message that hate violence 
has no place in America.

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