The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TERRORIST REWARDS ENHANCEMENT ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2615 on Dec. 19, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TERRORIST REWARDS ENHANCEMENT ACT
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HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Mr. Kirk's ``Terrorist Rewards Enhancement Act of 2005,'' H.R. 2329, which would permit those eligible in certain circumstances such as an officer or employee of a foreign government to receive a cash reward under the Department of State Rewards program. The value of this rewards program in dealing with terrorists is beyond dispute.
I have introduced a bill that would use a virtually identical rewards program for dealing with commercial alien smuggling operations, the
``Commercial Alien Smuggling Elimination Act of 2005,'' the CASE Act, H.R. 255. It would provide for cash rewards to facilitate the investigation and prosecution, or disruption, of reckless commercial alien smuggling operations.
This is not a controversial idea. The Rewards for Justice Program that was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, Public Law 98-533, has been very successful. The Rewards for Justice Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. It authorizes the Secretary of State to offer rewards for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. Rewards also may be paid for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit, or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 authorizes the Secretary to offer or pay rewards of greater than $5 million if he determines that a greater amount is necessary to combat terrorism or to defend the United States against terrorist acts.
A well known success of this program occurred a few years ago when a
$30 million reward was given for critical information that led to the location of Uday and Qusay Hussein. Rewards under the CASE Act, however, would be limited to $100,000, except as personally authorized by the Secretary of the Homeland Security Department.
I urge you to expand the use of this effective tool to include cash rewards to facilitate the investigation and prosecution, or disruption, of reckless commercial alien smuggling operations.
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