[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[September 30, 1992]
[Pages 1723-1724]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1723]]


Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Legislation on Violent 
Crime
September 30, 1992

To the Congress of the United States:
    I am pleased to transmit for your immediate consideration and 
enactment the ``Violent Crime Control Act of 1992.'' Also transmitted is 
a section-by-section analysis.
    In a speech I delivered recently at the DeSales Catholic Church in 
Fox Park, Missouri, I outlined my crime agenda for the remainder of this 
Congress and for next year. I discussed several issues of particular 
concern to the families of this country such as carjacking, sexual and 
domestic assault, and gang violence. The enclosed legislative proposal 
addresses these critical problems.
    As you know, I first proposed a comprehensive crime bill to the 
Congress on June 15, 1989. I again submitted a bill to the 102nd 
Congress on March 11, 1991. That bill, which has yet to be enacted, 
includes provisions for restoring and expanding the Federal death 
penalty, ending the abuse of habeas corpus, reforming the exclusionary 
rule, and establishing additional crimes and penalties involving the 
criminal use of firearms. The failure of the Congress to pass these pro-
law enforcement proposals is particularly frustrating in light of the 
broad bipartisan support they enjoy.
    I know that there is currently an effort being made to forge a 
genuine compromise that would include effective death penalty provisions 
and a version of habeas corpus reform that would be acceptable to me. It 
is my hope that the Congress will present me with such a compromise, one 
that is truly meaningful for Federal, State, and local law enforcement. 
This apparent willingness to work realistically on crime legislation 
provides the basis for me to call on this Congress to act quickly in its 
final days to pass the additional crime-fighting measures I am today 
proposing.
    The bill I am transmitting today addresses several of the most 
significant current threats to public safety. It includes:
    1. New tools for fighting sexual violence such as increased 
        penalties, new rules of evidence and conduct for trial lawyers, 
        expanded restitution for victims, and grants to State and local 
        law enforcement.
    2. Anti-carjacking provisions in the form of a new Federal crime, 
        expanded use of law enforcement grants to the States, and a 
        study of devices to prevent carjacking.
    3. Provisions for combatting domestic violence such as a new Federal 
        offense covering spouse abuse, violations of protective orders, 
        and stalking, and a comprehensive grant program to fight 
        domestic violence and enforce child support obligations.
    4. Anti-gang amendments, including a new RICO-type offense for 
        street gang activities, a new offense for involving a minor in 
        the commission of a violent crime, and broadened adult 
        prosecution of violent juveniles.
    5. New laws for child support enforcement that will give the Federal 
        Government the ability to punish criminally ``deadbeat dads'' 
        who leave a State in order to avoid child support or who are 
        significantly late in the payment of child support obligations. 
        The legislation will also assist the States in the enforcement 
        of child support orders.
    6. Increased penalties for crimes against the elderly that will 
        punish and deter criminals from assaulting or defrauding senior 
        citizens.
    7. New crimes and penalties for the criminal use of firearms such as 
        a mandatory 10-year sentence for using a semiautomatic firearm 
        in the course of a violent or drug trafficking crime, and a 
        mandatory 5-year sentence for possession of a gun by a dangerous 
        felon.
    As the 102nd Congress draws to a close, the Congress has an 
opportunity to pass legislation that will have a major impact on many of 
the most serious crime problems facing Americans. The public wants 
decisive action from government to combat the menacing presence of 
violent criminals. Let

[[Page 1724]]

us address this unfinished agenda now.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
September 30, 1992.