Martin Hoke: “the gentlewoman from Arkansas is exactly right, and for that reason we ought to look at the substance of this bill. That…”

“the gentlewoman from Arkansas is exactly right, and for that reason we ought to look at the substance of this bill. That is what is really going on. Will this legislation put more criminals in prison, lock up more criminals for life, stop treating the criminals as victims and the victims as criminals? That is what the American people should look at as we debate this crime bill this week and we should not use partisanship as we just heard to divert the attention of the American people. Mr. Speaker, the approach to the crime bill is clearly not what it ought to be to get the effect of what we want to have happen. Where the majority worries about civil liberties, we are worried about victims' rights. Where this bill is seeking social spending for midnight basketball, we are seeking spending for prison construction. Where the majority wants understanding for the criminal, we want swift and fair justice. Mr. Speaker, crime is the No. 1 issue and concern on the minds of the American people. Let us not turn them down.”