[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5199]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                             PROJECT EXILE

  (Mr. TANCREDO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor this morning in strong 
support of H.R. 4051, the Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act of 2000. 
It will be coming to the floor today under suspension.
  This legislation seeks to build on Project Exile programs which 
started in Richmond, Virginia, in 1997 and using the existing law to go 
after criminals who illegally possess firearms or use firearms in the 
commission of a crime.
  Since the incorporation of Project Exile in Richmond, the program has 
spread throughout the entire State. Other cities and States have also 
taken up similar initiatives to rid their communities of gun wielding 
criminals. In fact, my own State of Colorado started a Project Exile 
program back in September and already we are beginning to see a rise in 
the number of prosecutions against criminals in violation of firearms 
law.
  H.R. 4051 would provide resources to the States that have sought to 
stringently enforce firearms laws and ensure a mandatory minimum 
sentence for criminals who violate such statutes. Likewise, these funds 
can be used to defray the costs associated with tougher enforcement 
stance, whether it be hiring more prosecutors or expanding jail space.
  At a time when our society is grappling with the plague of violence, 
I encourage Members of this body to pass H.R. 4051.

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