Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce a bill that will amend our current drug control laws. The amendment I am proposing closes a loophole in our existing Federal laws that established drug free school zones. Originally part of the Omnibus Anti-Substance Abuse Act of 1988, which I cosponsored, the existing law creates "Islands of Safety" for children who are in, or on their way to schools. People who distribute illegal drugs within 1,000 feet of a school are subject to double the penalty under that law. This popular provision of the law has been strongly endorsed by police, educators, and community anti-drug coalitions across the Nation. Many states have also adopted similar State laws. The fact that currently there are 47 States with drug free school zone statutes is a good indication that local communities consider such laws to be of considerable value. Mr. President, the protection provided to children by the Federal statute is not limited just to schools. It also protects them in other places where they congregate such as public swimming pools, video arcades, and youth centers. However, the law fails to protect great numbers of our most vulnerable children, preschoolers who attend public and private developmental programs such as Head Start.”