[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 20431]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION MONTH

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for the 
strong partnership between localities and the federal government in 
preventing crime across the United States. As my colleagues may know, 
October is recognized as ``National Crime Prevention Month.''
  Earlier this year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that 
serious crime had declined nationally for the eighth consecutive year. 
Although many reasons for this promising news can be cited, I believe 
the efforts of state and local governments have caused a reduction in 
crime rates. To ensure continued success, the federal government should 
not impose additional mandates upon local communities that will only 
prevent the development of effective crime prevention programs.
  During this session of the 106th Congress, I am pleased to have 
worked with Minnesota's public safety officials on a number of crime 
and drug abuse prevention initiatives. Most importantly, I am pleased 
that the Fiscal Year 2001 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations bill 
includes $4 million for the State of Minnesota to develop a statewide 
computer network that will provide judicial and law enforcement 
agencies with universal access to critical information about criminal 
offenders at the time of their arrest, prosecution, sentencing, and 
during other important proceedings. Information is the key to an 
effective and accountable criminal justice system. The Minnesota 
Legislature recently enacted legislation, known as ``Katie's Law,'' 
that provides state funding for the development of this initiative.
  I also believe it is essential that Congress do more to ensure that 
anti-drug resources reach the areas of our country where drug abuse and 
crime is on the rise and the anti-drug resources of state and local law 
enforcement have been seriously strained. That is the situation facing 
law enforcement agencies in my home state that have worked to combat 
methamphetamine production and trafficking throughout our communities--
particularly in rural areas.
  For more than a year, I have been working to address the rising 
methamphetamine drug epidemic in Minnesota by having Minnesota 
designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, HIDTA. This 
designation will provide additional anti-meth resources to Minnesota 
and ensure better coordination of federal-state-local efforts at 
defeating this threat to public safety. I am pleased that the Fiscal 
Year 2001 Treasury-Legislative Branch Appropriations bill includes 
funding for new HIDTA designations, and a directive to the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy that Minnesota must be among the first 
states considered for HIDTA designation in the upcoming fiscal year.
  My rural crime prevention agenda has included strong support for S. 
3009, the ``Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 2000.'' The value 
of this legislation was brought to my attention by St. Cloud State 
University Professor John Campbell and several Minnesota police chiefs 
and sheriffs. I greatly appreciate having the benefit of their 
expertise. The Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Act would provide 
funding to the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement to expand the 
technical assistance and training available to rural law enforcement 
personnel. As a cosponsor of this bill, I am hopeful that rural 
Minnesota will soon establish a regional center that will bring the 
benefits of these programs to our state.
  During National Crime Prevention Month, it is also important to note 
the impact the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA, has had upon the rate 
of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual assault across the nation. 
Since its enactment, the VAWA has provided thousands of communities 
with assistance to develop innovative and effective programs that have 
contributed toward protecting individuals from sexual offenses and 
domestic abuse.
  In Minnesota, domestic violence shelters and centers have improved 
their services to victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse 
through such important programs as the Rural Domestic Violence and 
Child Abuse Enforcement Grant program and funding to combat violence 
against women on university campuses. Additionally, many domestic abuse 
victims have benefited from the counseling and guidance provided 
through the National Domestic Violence Hotline established under the 
Violence Against Women Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of legislation 
to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and expect that this 
legislation will be passed before the 106th Congress adjourns.
  Finally, I commend the dozens of Minnesota cities that are active 
participants in the ``National Night Out'' program. These neighborhood 
residents have sent a strong message to criminals that our 
neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against the threat of 
crime. Similar to the TRIAD seniors crime prevention program, National 
Night Out encourages increased citizen interaction with law enforcement 
officers to prevent crime. I will continue to be a strong advocate in 
Congress for the National Night Out and TRIAD programs.
  I am proud of the active involvement of our citizens in developing 
innovative crime prevention initiatives. Their commitment to ensuring 
safer streets and safer communities throughout our state has made 
Minnesota a better place to work and a better place to call home.

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