Andrea Seastrand: “on the old television show ``Baretta'', the detective used to say, ``Do the crime, do the time.'' Today we are telling…”

“on the old television show ``Baretta'', the detective used to say, ``Do the crime, do the time.'' Today we are telling the criminals they will owe more than time. Crime is not restricted to large cities. Even in my district that includes many rural areas, threats to personal safety are a top concern. Crime is not restricted to certain age or income categories but the sad fact is that the problem is even more severe among minorities and the poor. Most alarming of all are the statistics regarding women and crime. A rape occurs every 5 minutes in our country and an aggravated assault every 29 seconds. Last year, Congress passed a bill that spent billions of dollars on criminals. This year we are going to pass a bill that makes the criminals pay. Today we are considering an important bill that does more than give criminals time, if forces them to pay their victims for what is really irreputable harm. For too long, crime bills have been about criminals. Now, we are recognizing that crime is about the victims. Mr. Chairman, this is an important bill. This is a bill we should pass today. I urge my colleagues to join me and vote for this measure.”