    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 3, 1999]
    [Page 1487]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Proposed Juvenile Crime Legislation
    September 3, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Leader:)
        As the Congress returns this coming week, I urge you to make it your
    first order of business to send me a juvenile crime bill that includes
    the Senate-passed gun measures.
        The time is long past due to complete work on this bill. Before the
    Congress went on its recess, I asked the conferees to meet during the
    break and finish work on the bill. A full month has passed since the
    conferees first met, and I urge you now to finish the job and act
    immediately on this vital legislation.
        The tragic shooting in Los Angeles just a few short weeks ago is the
    latest reminder that we must do all we can to keep guns out of the wrong
    hands. You have the opportunity to send me a balanced and bipartisan
    juvenile crime bill that helps prevent youth violence and includes the
    Senate-passed gun provisions to close the gun show loophole, require
    child safety locks for guns, and bar the importation of large capacity
    ammunition clips. These provisions will help save lives, and the
    Congress should make them the law of the land without further delay.
        As millions of our Nation's children return to school, we have a
    responsibility to do everything we can, as quickly as we can, to keep
    them safe. The American people are waiting: don't let another day pass.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Trent Lott, Senate majority leader. This
    letter was embargoed for release until 10:06 a.m. on September 4. An
    original was not available for verification of the content of this
    letter.