[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1610-E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE FOR VIOLENT CRIMES ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2011

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2076, the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2011. 
This legislation is an appropriate and necessary measure to keep our 
citizens safe.
  Currently the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) does not have 
statutory authority to assist in the investigation of mass killings or 
other violent crimes that are carried out in non-federal public places, 
such as schools and universities. As of now, when the FBI is asked by 
state and local law enforcement to assist with related investigations, 
they frequently comply with the request, despite the possibility that 
in doing so, the responding officers may be found to be acting outside 
of their jurisdiction.
  The Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act grants the FBI 
specific authority to respond when asked for help by state and local 
law enforcement, without expanding the FBI's jurisdiction. The bill 
allows the FBI to assist in the investigation of violent crimes or mass 
killings, only when asked to do so.
  In recent history the FBI has lent their resources to several high 
profile investigations. Last September, when an armed intruder entered 
the Discovery Communications Building

[[Page E1611]]

in Rockville, Maryland; the FBI SWAT team assisted the Montgomery 
County Police Department, and FBI investigators processed the crime 
scene. In 2009, the American Civic Center in Binghamton, New York was 
the site of a mass killing when an armed subject killed 13 people. The 
FBI was asked to assist, and lent their Evidence Response Team, Victim 
Assistance program, and Behavioral Analysis unit. The FBI also assisted 
in the investigation to identify the student who opened fire at 
Virginia Technical Institute in 2007.
  The FBI lent invaluable support to state and local law enforcement 
officials on several occasions. However, as the law currently holds, 
there is no specific statutory authority allowing them to do so. The 
Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act specifically 
authorizes, by statute, that which the FBI is consistently asked and 
expected to do.
  This bill is an important measure aimed at increasing the safety and 
security of the American people. When faced with a mass killing or 
other violent crime, our state and local law enforcement officials 
should have access to every necessary resource in order to mitigate the 
situation, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. In 
Houston, Texas, where I represent the 18th Congressional District, the 
FBI reports 22,491 violent crimes in 2010. I know that my constituents 
would appreciate knowing that their local law enforcement officials 
have access to the resources of the FBI, should they need them.
  As a senior Member of both the Judiciary and Homeland Security 
committees, I have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the 
American people, and this legislation does just that. I am pleased at 
the bipartisan manner in which this bill is being considered, and urge 
my colleagues to support H.R. 2076, the Investigative Assistance for 
Violent Crimes Act.

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