Pete Domenici: “I rise today, with the Senator from Missouri, Senator Ashcroft, and the Senator from Oregon, Senator Wyden, to introduce…”

“I rise today, with the Senator from Missouri, Senator Ashcroft, and the Senator from Oregon, Senator Wyden, to introduce the Juvenile Crime Control and Community Protection Act of 1997. I don't think there is anything that is worrying the American people more than what is happening to the criminal justice system in their cities, their counties, and their States. Last year, I had field hearings in New Mexico to hear the concerns and problems faced by all of the people affected by juvenile crime. We heard from the police, prosecutors, judges, social workers and, most important, Mr. President, as you well know, the victims who reside in our communities. The sentiments expressed at these hearings are the same ones felt by people all over this country: One, some juveniles are out of control and the juvenile justice system cannot cope with them; second, other children do not have enough constructive things to do to keep them from sliding into delinquency; third, the current system does little, if anything, to protect the public from senseless youth violence; and fourth, the current system has failed its victims.”