Charles E. Schumer: “I rise in support of the amendment by the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. McCurdy], creating a police corps program. It is…”

“I rise in support of the amendment by the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. McCurdy], creating a police corps program. It is designed, as we all know, to increase the number of law enforcement officers with advanced education and training and so it would constitute a national investment in the police force. Mr. Chairman, I would remind my colleagues that there is another provision in the bill which we placed in our subcommittee which would deal with the noncollege-educated, particularly in the minority and inner city communities, a program where community groups, churches and other nonprofit groups could help train young people to go directly to the police academy. These two programs complement one another. This is not an either/or situation. That one is in the bill and will not be voted on and I would hope we get support for both. Credit for that one goes to the Rev. Johnny Ray Youngblood of East Churches in Brooklyn who put this together. But I would say this bill would help not only put more officers on the streets but give college graduates a chance to demonstrate responsibility and public altruism. Mr. Chairman, I certainly do not think it is a panacea but it is an important element of an overall crime program that I think makes a lot of sense. I urge support for the amendment.”