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.
“INTRODUCTION OF RAPID DEPLOY- MENT FORCE LEGISLATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E24-E25 on Jan. 4, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF RAPID DEPLOY- MENT FORCE LEGISLATION
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HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, January 4, 1995
Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to establish a Rapid Deployment Force as an added resource of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This force would be temporarily deployed by the FBI, to assist local authorities in investigating an increasing of crime in a particular municipality, due to an increase of drug or gang related activity. The Rapid Deployment Force would represent a partnership between the Federal, State, and local crime fighting entities.
This past weekend in my hometown of Hartford, CT, a rash of crime broke out leaving four dead, another critically wounded, and three others injured from gunshot wounds. This final criminal outbreak of 1994 brought the number of homicides in the city to 58, an increase of over 400 percent in the past 2 years. As the spread of drugs, and the city's
[[Page E25]] gang problem continues to grow, the need for additional resources is evident. I am thankful that the recently enacted crime bill is bringing more cops on the beat into our Nation's cities and towns. I commend the Attorney General and the Department of Justice for their work in ensuring the rapid appropriation of funds for the Cops on the Beat Program.
However, it is not enough to just deploy more police officers on the street. A Federal Rapid Response team would bring with it resources and expertise that State and local governments cannot be expected to supply. I believe that a Rapid Deployment Force is essential in investigating and combating crime in towns and cities when drug and gang related activities escalate. And I urge my colleagues to support this important crime fighting legislation.
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