David Price: “this past Monday I convened a field hearing of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary…”

“this past Monday I convened a field hearing of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary in Raleigh, NC, to learn more about what is working in the fight against crime and what more we need to do. There are a lot of people in North Carolina and this country working hard to fight crime, to prevent crime, to assist the victims of crime, and they deserve our support. We heard from a 15-year-old young man who committed a serious crime and is now incarcerated. There was silence in the room as he stated that in his life it has been easier to get a gun than to get a tutor. He noted his dyslexia was not discovered until he landed in the juvenile detention center. That is not early intervention. We must reach kids like this, connect them to society, and make sure they know we care for them and help them before crime even becomes an option. We also must intervene more effectively with young people who get into trouble. We heard from North Carolina's boot camp commandant, who testified about the success he has had at turning around at-risk youths in that boot camp program. Mr. Speaker, the crime bill not before us is a positive effort both to stiffen punishment and to get serious about preventing crime. We have had enough of the stalling tactics from those who would rather have an issue than a bill. We have had enough of the hot button politics. We have had enough overheated rhetoric.”