T. Gorton: “when the people of Washington State voted overwhelmingly to enact the Nation's first ``Three Strikes You're Out'' law…”

“when the people of Washington State voted overwhelmingly to enact the Nation's first ``Three Strikes You're Out'' law, we sent a clear and unmistakable message across the country--we have had it with violent crime. In meetings with people in communities across the State, that message continues to ring loud and clear. Back in the Nation's Capitol, Members of Congress are putting together the final version of the crime bill and I am concerned that it will not be the crime prevention bill Washingtonians have asked for. In fact, this exercise may result in what seems to be business as usual for this administration: wasteful spending served with skillful, but misleading rhetoric, saying one thing and doing another. Looking at the administration and Congress' various positions on crime is reminiscent of a police officer appearing on the scene of a crime with plenty of eye-witnesses where everyone has a different story. That officer needs to investigate the whole scene of the crime to find the answers.”