Dan Burton: “I must say I did not come down here for this, but I do think it has merit, and I will go into it with the gentleman. It…”

“I must say I did not come down here for this, but I do think it has merit, and I will go into it with the gentleman. It is entitled, ``Eight Little Known Facts About the Crime Bill,'' the bill that passed the house today: No. 1. Encourages children to be out of their homes and on the streets after midnight. Many Americans probably believe children should be at home and in bed after midnight. This bill would pay people to set up midnight sports programs that keep kids out all night.--Page 138. No. 2. Contains ludicrous mandates in its prevention programs. To establish a midnight sports league, the league must have eight teams and each team must have ten players. Presumably, a league with six teams and 12 players per team, would be worthless in preventing crime.--Page 140. No. 3. Outlaws the use of religion in crime prevention programs. Although $8 billion will go to fighting teenage pregnancy, AIDS, drug use, and crime, the bill prohibits any of this money from going to religious worship or instruction.--Page 121. No. 4. Fights crime in odd ways, Part I. This bill will ``fight crime'' by funding ``cultural programs, arts and crafts, and health education and service programs, and dance programs.''--Page 120. No. 5. Turns police departments into social service agencies.”