Political Quotes

“I would like to join the effort of my colleagues in discussing H.R. 728, which will be considered by this House of Representatives today and tomorrow. There are three issues before us: police, prevention, and pork. On the police side, we passed a crime bill last year. President Clinton made it clear that he wanted to put 100,000 new police on the streets of America to make our neighborhoods and homes safer. I represent a congressional district in downstate Illinois, small-town America. I can tell you from my town meetings, my contacts with people I represent, that this is exactly what they want to see. They want to make sure that there is a policeman in a car, patrolling at night, on the weekends, keeping a eye on their homes, watching out for their families, looking for anything that might be suspicious. That is basically what they are looking for. Last year's crime bill would deliver it. In fact, last week President Clinton announced in my congressional district, one of many, I might add, 54 new police who will be working in those towns, in those villages, in those cities and counties because of the crime bill we passed last year, 54. A downpayment in my district on a national promise to put 100,000 police on the street protecting us.”