Jim Saxton: “the Labor, HHS, Education Committee report contains language that highlights the need for a Comprehensive Scientific…”

“the Labor, HHS, Education Committee report contains language that highlights the need for a Comprehensive Scientific Research Program addressing characteristics of extra-societal groups. Many Americans are concerned and puzzled by the conduct of individuals involved in events such as the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, the Sarin attack in the Tokyo subway and the extreme hold that David Koresh had on his followers. The National Institute of Mental Health is particularly suited to examine such concerns in a scientific manner. The current state of understanding of such groups is extremely limited. Through efforts by the National Institute of Mental Health, we hope to increase our understanding of characteristics of such groups which are associated with increased potential for terrorism, violence or other criminal behavior; the manner in which such groups recruit individuals and influence their behavior sufficiently to move them toward terrorism, violence, and other criminality; the causes behind members leaving such groups; and mental health effects of membership in such groups. I want to clarify the committee report language.”