[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16854-16857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     SUPPORTING NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1324) requesting that the President focus 
appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention and community 
policing, and coordinate certain Federal efforts to participate in 
National Night Out, which occurs the first Tuesday of August each year, 
including by supporting local efforts and community watch groups and by 
supporting local officials, to promote community safety and help 
provide homeland security.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1324

       Whereas neighborhood crime is of continuing concern to the 
     American people;
       Whereas child safety is a growing concern for parents and 
     communities, as evidenced by several cases of missing and 
     abducted children;
       Whereas homeland security remains an important priority for 
     communities and the Nation;
       Whereas crime, drugs, and violence in schools is of 
     continuing concern to the American people due to the recent 
     high-profile incidents that have resulted in fatalities at 
     several schools in the United States;
       Whereas the fight against neighborhood crime requires 
     people to work together in cooperation with law enforcement 
     personnel;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch organizations effectively 
     promote awareness about, and the participation of volunteers 
     in, crime prevention activities at the local level;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch groups can contribute to 
     the Nation's war on drugs by helping to prevent communities 
     from becoming markets for drug dealers;
       Whereas neighborhood crime watch programs play an integral 
     role in combating domestic terrorism by increasing vigilance 
     and

[[Page 16855]]

     awareness and encouraging citizen participation in community 
     safety and homeland security;
       Whereas community-based programs involving law enforcement, 
     school administrators, teachers, parents, and local 
     communities work effectively to reduce school violence and 
     crime and promote the safety of children;
       Whereas citizens throughout the United States will take 
     part in National Night Out, a unique crime prevention event 
     that will demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of 
     community participation in crime prevention efforts;
       Whereas over 35,400,000 people in more than 11,130 
     communities from all 50 States, territories, District of 
     Columbia, and military bases worldwide participated in 
     National Night Out in 2007;
       Whereas National Night Out will celebrate its 25th 
     anniversary on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, when citizens, 
     businesses, local law enforcement officers, mayors, State and 
     Federal officials, and others will celebrate ``America's 
     Night Out Against Crime'' and participate in events to 
     support community crime prevention;
       Whereas National Night Out is supporting the Department of 
     Homeland Security's Ready campaign by handing out materials 
     and educating and empowering the public on how to prepare 
     for, and respond to, potential terrorist attacks or other 
     emergencies;
       Whereas National Night Out is supporting the National Child 
     Identification Program, a joint partnership between the 
     American Football Coaches Association and the Federal Bureau 
     of Investigation, to provide identification kits to parents 
     to help locate missing children;
       Whereas the National Sheriffs Association, the United 
     States Conference of Mayors, and the National League of 
     Cities have officially expressed support for National Night 
     Out; and
       Whereas citizens and communities that participate on August 
     5, 2008, will send a positive message to other communities 
     and the Nation, showing their commitment to reduce crime and 
     promote homeland security: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Night Out; 
     and
       (2) requests that the President--
       (A) issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
     United States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, 
     and programs to demonstrate support for National Night Out;
       (B) focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime 
     prevention, community policing, and reduction of school crime 
     by delivering speeches, convening meetings, and directing the 
     Administration to make crime reduction an important priority; 
     and
       (C) coordinate the efforts of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, the USA Freedom Corps, the Citizen Corps, 
     the National Senior Service Corps, and AmeriCorps to 
     participate in National Night Out by supporting local efforts 
     and neighborhood watches and by supporting local officials, 
     including law enforcement personnel, to provide homeland 
     security and combat terrorism in the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous 
material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1324, which 
will press the President to focus appropriate attention on neighborhood 
crime prevention and community policing. The resolution also asks the 
President to coordinate certain Federal efforts to participate in 
National Night Out.
  Neighborhood crime is a major concern for many Americans across our 
Nation. While our police departments are generally as professional and 
responsive as they can be, preventing neighborhood crimes comes from 
the efforts of us all.
  Community-based programs involving law enforcement, school 
administrators, teachers, parents, and other citizens are among the 
most effective ways to reduce violence and crime in our neighborhoods.
  Neighborhood Crime Watch groups and Citizens on Patrol groups, for 
example, can be an integral part of a police department's effectiveness 
in making our neighborhoods safe. The presence of concerned citizens 
walking their neighborhoods, in contact with police, help prevent 
communities from becoming targets for drug dealers. Just as patrol is 
the great deterrent that police use, patrol can be a deterrent that 
citizens use. With more potential witnesses on the streets, citizens 
are much less likely to be robbery victims.
  National Night Out is a unique crime prevention event that helps to 
highlight the importance and effectiveness of community participation 
in crime prevention efforts. This special event allows citizens, 
businesses, and local law enforcement officers, along with Federal, 
State and local officials, to participate in community crime prevention 
programs.
  Last year, more than 35 million people in more than 11,000 
communities across America participated in National Night Out. This 
year marks the 25th anniversary of this special event.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Stupak for leadership on this 
issue. And I ask my colleagues to support National Night Out.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself so much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 5, 2008, thousands of communities and millions 
of individuals will once again participate in National Night Out. It's 
an annual event created to raise community awareness of and 
participation in local crime-fighting programs and organizations.
  H. Res. 1324 calls on the administration to coordinate Federal 
efforts to participate in this nation-wide campaign as well as other 
community crime-prevention initiatives.
  In 1984, the National Association of Town Watch, NATW, decided the 5 
to 7 percent of neighborhood residents actively involved in their local 
crime watch and prevention programs was just not enough. It was out of 
that concern that a National Night Out was born. Since then, it has 
been the mission of the National Association of Town Watch and National 
Night Out to promote and increase the membership of these local crime-
fighting initiatives and organizations, to strengthen police community 
relationships, and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods 
and communities are united in their fight against crime.
  This year's event will celebrate a National Night Out's 25th 
anniversary. Since its creation, the event, which began with 2.5 
million Americans in 23 States illuminating their homes, has expanded 
its participation to 35.4 million in all 50 States. And the traditional 
``lights on'' has grown to include block parties, neighborhood walks, 
police meetings, cookouts, and parades.
  Unfortunately, crime has found its way into even the safest of 
neighborhoods. And while our law enforcement officials play a 
tremendous role in fighting this criminal activity, united communities 
committed to crime-prevention awareness is essential to this ongoing 
fight.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Poe).
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, National Night Out is a crime prevention event 
that brings awareness to neighborhood crime. The idea is that people 
will come out of their homes, meet with their neighbors, and become 
more aware of issues in their community, especially crime concerns.
  When people know each other that live around them, they are more apt 
to work together to prevent crime in their communities. Unfortunately, 
Americans today don't know their neighbors like they used to. My 
grandmother used to say that ``we quit knowing our neighbors when they 
quit building front porches on houses.'' Maybe there's some truth to 
that statement, Mr. Speaker, because not

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many people go and visit their neighbors, sit on the porch, and discuss 
important events like what's taking place in their community.
  National Night Out allows neighbors to get together with their kids. 
Back home in Texas, some communities block off streets, eat barbecue 
and hot dogs, and invite the local police over to meet with the kids 
and the neighbors that they protect.
  A neighborhood that has visible neighbors is a safer neighborhood. On 
National Night Out in August, there will be less burglaries, car thefts 
and vandalism because neighbors will be with other neighbors on watch, 
protecting the neighborhoods they call home.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself so much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks made by the gentleman that came 
to the floor. As I listened to Mr. Poe and his remarks, I come from an 
entirely different environment. I do a little inventory, and within a 
mile radius of my house there are four houses, and that's all, perhaps, 
in limit of a mile. Not only do we know who drives down our road and 
where they're going, if the ambulance comes by, we know who's in it. 
It's a very thinly populated rural area, but we have a neighborhood.
  And when I come to Washington, D.C., where my wife and I maintain a 
residence, we live in a neighborhood. And neighborhoods are similar 
whether they're in the city or whether they're in the country because 
you need to get to know each other. And a National Night Out is a way 
to do that. And when we get to know each other, that opens up our 
communications. And when we open up our communications, we provide the 
intelligence that supports our law enforcement so that we can fight 
crime in a direct effective fashion. That's the essence of the reason 
that I support this resolution, and I urge its adoption.
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Stupak/
Ramstad resolution, House Resolution 1324. Our resolution would 
commemorate the 25th annual National Night Out event, which is 
sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.
  I would like to thank my Law Enforcement Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman 
Jim Ramstad, for introducing this legislation with me once again this 
year, and all members of the Law Enforcement Caucus who co-sponsored 
this resolution.
  This bipartisan resolution has had strong Congressional support for 
several years running and I am pleased we have another opportunity to 
highlight this important event again this year.
  National Night Out, an annual nationwide grassroots crime prevention 
event, will take place on Tuesday, August 5th.
  The event brings together involved citizens, law enforcement 
agencies, and civic groups throughout the United States to heighten 
crime and drug prevention awareness and to strengthen neighborhood 
spirit and police-community partnerships.
  Since its inception in 1984, National Night Out has become a crime 
prevention fixture that is enthusiastically supported by citizens, law 
enforcement and local officials.
  It is the Nation's largest, most cost-effective crime prevention 
campaign. By building community watch groups and police partnerships at 
an average cost of about $27 per community, National Night Out allows 
local law enforcement to extend its reach without incurring additional 
costs.
  Whether it is stopping illegal drug sales, making schools safer, 
locating missing children, or remaining vigilant against terrorism, 
local law enforcement officials depend on the support of community 
networks to succeed.
  The active involvement of citizens and the presence of local law 
enforcement in communities is a winning combination that makes and 
keeps neighborhoods safe.
  Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law 
enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood 
organizations and local officials from over 11,130 communities in all 
50 states, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and on U.S. 
military bases worldwide.
  In all, over 35.4 million people participated in National Night Out 
2007.
  National Night Out is an integral part of America's grassroots 
efforts to fight crime and create safer neighborhoods.
  The Stupak/Ramstad resolution expresses Congress' support for 
community crime prevention and asks that the President focus Federal 
attention on the issue.
  With this in mind, we hope that you will show your support for the 
community crime prevention efforts of citizens and police in your 
district, and across the Nation.
  Vote for the Stupak/Ramstad National Night Out Resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. I support this resolution and 
encourage my colleagues to do the same. This resolution is important 
today as Americans are desirous of making America a better, safer 
place. This resolution recognizes the importance of community policing 
and crime prevention.
  Because the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-
JAG) Program at fiscal year have been severely cut in America, we must 
be vigilant and ensure that America and our neighborhoods remain safe. 
The Byrne-JAG monies are supposed to be used to make America a safer 
place.
  Byrne-JAG allows states and local governments to support a broad 
range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the 
criminal justice system, which states and local governments have come 
to rely on to ensure public safety. They support: law enforcement, 
prosecution and court programs, prevention and education, corrections 
and community programs, drug treatment, planning, evaluation, 
technology improvement programs, and crime victim and witness programs 
(other than compensation). In short, they are an indispensable resource 
that states use to combat crime.
  Unfortunately, in fiscal year 2008 the Byrne-JAG program was cut by 
two-thirds. Although Congress authorized over $1 billion, only $520 
million were appropriated for fiscal year 2007. The appropriation was 
then drastically reduced to $170.4 million in fiscal year 2008, and the 
President has proposed further cuts for the fiscal year 2009 budget.
  The continuing cuts seem to indicate that information regarding the 
success of the program has not been brought to the attention of members 
of Congress or to the Administration. Therefore, H. Res. 1324, 
recognizes that the President should focus on neighborhood crime 
prevention.
  The trend to reduce the grant funding may result, in part, from 
instances where Byrne-JAG funding has been abused. For example, in 1999 
Byrne-JAG funding was used in the infamous Tulia outrage in which a 
rogue police narcotics officer in Texas set up dozens of people, most 
of them African-American, in false cocaine trafficking charges. In 
other instances, jurisdictions used the funding to fund task forces 
focused solely on ineffective, low-level drug arrests, which has put 
the task force concept-and the diminished standards of drug enforcement 
that it has come to represent-in the national spotlight.
  The most well-known Byrne-funded scandal occurred in Tulia, Texas 
where dozens of African American residents (representing 16 percent of 
the town's black population) were arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to 
decades in prison, even though the only evidence against them was the 
uncorroborated testimony of one white undercover officer with a history 
of lying and racism. The undercover officer worked alone, and had no 
audiotapes, video surveillance, or eyewitnesses to collaborate his 
allegations. Suspicions eventually arose after two of the accused 
defendants were able to produce firm evidence showing they were out of 
state or at work at the time of the alleged drug buys. Texas Governor 
Rick Perry eventually pardoned the Tulia defendants (after four years 
of imprisonment), but these kinds of scandals continue to plague the 
Byrne grant program.
  These scandals are not the result of a few ``bad apples'' in law 
enforcement; they are the result of a fundamentally flawed bureaucracy 
that is prone to corruption by its very structure. Byrne-funded 
regional anti-drug task forces are federally funded, state managed, and 
locally staffed, which means they do not really have to answer to 
anyone. In fact, their ability to perpetuate themselves through asset 
forfeiture and federal funding makes them unaccountable to local 
taxpayers and governing bodies.
  But, reducing the funding is not the answer. Instead, we should 
encourage the President to invest in America and keep our neighborhoods 
safe, H. Res. 1324 does just that. I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to voice my full and enthusiastic 
support for H. Res. 1324. With violence on the rise in many 
communities, including my home district of Chicago, I have committed 
myself to raising the issue of gun violence within the U.S. Congress. 
We must effectively address this issue and begin to repair the 
devastation that it has caused for countless families, communities, and 
neighborhoods.

[[Page 16857]]

  Since February, I have been speaking of the ``Daily 45s'', the number 
of casualties the Department of Justice reports that our Nation suffers 
every day due to gun violence. Though the number of gun shot fatalities 
that Americans endure here in our own communities dwarfs the number of 
daily casualties our troops suffer in two war zones combined, in Iraq 
and Afghanistan, it saddens and frustrates me that this issue is not 
being discussed more here in Congress.
  As a country, we are not doing enough to address this deadly issue. 
That is why I proudly support H. Res. 1324, which asks the President to 
focus appropriate attention on neighborhood crime prevention and 
community policing, and to coordinate Federal efforts to participate in 
National Night Out on the first Tuesday in August.
  Additionally, like my Communities in Action Neighborhood Defense and 
Opportunity (CAN DO) bill, which I will soon be introducing, H. Res. 
1324 provides Federal support to assist local efforts in addressing the 
issue of violence. This bill assists community watch groups by 
supporting local officials in an effort to promote community safety and 
help secure our homeland.
  It is past time for Americans of all races, classes, and geographic 
locations to come together and put an end to the senseless violence 
that is gripping our Nation. H. Res. 1324 goes a long way in bringing 
this deadly subject into the light and forcing all of us to deal with 
this devastating problem. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
measure as well.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1324.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________