Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the en bloc amendment and wish to thank Chairman Brooks for including the rural caucus amendment in his amendment. I would also like to thank Congresswoman Long and Congressman Baesler for cosponsoring this amendment with me. Crime is an overwhelming problem in small-town America. I have walked the beat with police officers in towns with a population under 40,000, and I've seen firsthand how gangs and drugs are chipping away at the safety of these small towns. There is an organized effort on behalf of gangs to recruit members in small towns and infiltrate these communities with drugs. The rural caucus amendment will target $385 million in crime fighting dollars to rural areas where, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, violent crime increased by 5 percent from January to June 1993. This amendment will provide additional Drug Enforcement Agency agents to rural areas; allow the Attorney General to cross-designate Federal law enforcement agents for use in rural areas, and create rural antidrug task forces. Our amendment will also increase prevention efforts for rural domestic violence and child abuse. Also, penalties will be increased for drug distribution at or near truck stops and safety rest areas. As a former prosecutor, I know how beneficial these resources will be to apprehend, prosecute, and convict violent criminals. I urge my colleagues to support Chairman Brooks amendment and help fight crime in rural America.”