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DeSales Catholic Church 9/28/92 [OA 5813]
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35264055
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
9/27/92
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DeSALES CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MISSOURI
SUBJECT:
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCBRIDE
BAKER
MOORE
SCOWCROFT
MULLINS
DARMAN
PETERSMEYER
BATES
PORTER
BRADY
PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS
CALIO
SMITH
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
ZOELLICK
GRAY
KAUFMAN
GROOMES
HOLIDAY
HORNER
MCGROARTY
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 27, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
STEVE PROVOST
FROM:
KEN ASKEW
I
SUBJECT:
PROPOSED REMARKS TO FOX PARK COMMUNITY
I. SUMMARY
On Monday, September 28th at 10:00 a.m., you will deliver
remarks, to 500 community members in the St. Francis DeSales
Catholic Church Parish Hall in Fox Park, Missouri.
II. DISCUSSION
Your remarks (approximately 18 minutes / teleprompter) focus
on crime, and reflect the current status of your crime bill.
(Askew/Bunton)
September 27, 1992
1:00 p.m.
CRIME
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
DeSALES CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MISSOURI
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
10:00 A.M.
Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning,
everybody.
It's delightful to be in Fox Park. St. Louis is such a
friendly city. It really warms my heart. So thank you for your
wonderful Missouri welcome.
I want to apologize to everyone who was counting on the
usual Sunday Bingo game last night. I hear the Secret Service
spoiled your fun when they had to check out the building. Well,
I'm sorry you missed the game, but it was smart to stay away.
Believe me, you don't want to be jumping up suddenly and yelling
"Bingo!" around these guys./
I want to talk to you today about what I consider
government's first and most-basic function.
I know what you're thinking. You've been listening to that
other fellow
and all you can think about is taxes. Well, I'm
not going to talk about taxes today. But I think it's only fair
to warn you that for years down in Arkansas, my opponent has been
trying to declare April 15th a religious holiday.//
But what I do want to talk about is the fundamental duty of
our government
to protect every American citizen from violence
-- at home, on the streets, and abroad.
1
Now
that's nothing new. Security is one big reason
government was created in the first place.
What's new
are the terrible forms violence has taken
recently
beyond anything our founding fathers could've
imagined.
A whole generation has grown up with the threat of nuclear
terror hanging like a sword over its head. And it's been
horrible. Our kids had nightmares. It seemed like it would
never end.
Well, it did end. And today I can stand up here and say
something no President could ever say before.
The Cold War is over. Freedom finished first. 11
Now, we need to win the peace
right here at home and in
the streets of Fox Park. //
What's the point, after all
of winning a Cold War if our
grandparents and grandchildren lock themselves behind the bars on
their windows, afraid to come out from a jail called home?
Now, I'm not saying we haven't made progress against violent
crime. We certainly have. We've slowed it dramatically the past
twelve years. And we're beginning to turn the tide on the drugs
that so often fuel it.
But we got soft on crime in the 1960s, and we paid for it.
By the time we cracked down again in the 80s, violent crime had
gone up 400% in twenty years. Since we cracked down, it's gone
up just 27% in a little over ten years, and the overall crime
index is actually down.
2
So we've stemmed the tide
prevented millions of crimes
but of course, that's not enough. It's never enough.
The face of crime is changing fast, and we need our laws to
react just as quickly so we can beat it.
Carjacking, for a timely example -- a brand-new word for a
brand-new crime. Someone figured out it's easy to steal a car
when it's already running, with the keys in the ignition. of
course, the owner's behind the wheel. So they use a gun.
It makes me sick to think about it
but just a few weeks
ago, in a nice neighborhood near Baltimore, a woman was sitting
in her car at a stop sign. In broad daylight, two men forced her
out of her car and drove off.
But she hung onto her seat-belt from outside the car. What
mother wouldn't? Because her baby was in the back seat. The
mother was dragged for almost two miles. The thieves tried to
knock her off by banging into a fence. And she finally died.
And you know what they did with her little baby? They
tossed her out of the car like so much trash.
Miraculously, that baby survived.
And you know what? America's going to survive, too. We
don't have to put up with this kind of depravity.//
These people have no place in a decent society. And as far
as this President's concerned, they can go to jail
they can
stay in jail
and they can rot in jail.//
3
And for that to happen, we need tough laws that don't bend
over backwards protecting the criminal
while saying to the
victim, "Tough luck, buddy."//
Now, my opponent has learned to talk tough on crime. But
let me tell you: When push comes to shove, what he really
believes is that same old hogwash that says it's society's fault
when someone gets mugged. And society should suffer.
Well, maybe that's why most inmates in Arkansas serve less
than one-fifth of their sentence. Maybe that's why violent crime
in Arkansas went up almost 60 percent in the 80s -- over twice
the national average. Maybe that's why, in the 80s, Arkansas had
the nation's biggest increase in overall crime -- and the third-
biggest in violent crime.
If you don't believe me
just ask the Fraternal Order of
Police in Little Rock, Arkansas. They're endorsing me for
President. Because they know my record.
And because they know better than anyone
that we're all
vulnerable: Men, women, children; white, black, brown; young,
old; rich and poor. To a bullet or a blade -- we all look just
the same.
And Americans deserve a government that goes after the
problem -- that prevents and punishes crime, and helps victims.//
That's why I want to see America make a move at the Federal
level
to step forward and support state and local police
around the country -- in real, concrete ways. We need to help
them fight. //
4
That's why, twelve-hundred and one days ago, on June 15,
1989 -- the same day Gorbachev first hinted the Berlin Wall might
come down -- I sent a comprehensive Crime Bill to Capitol Hill.
I offered the hand of partnership to Congress, and asked it to
help me fight crime on a national level.
You know, since I first sent that bill to the Hill in 1989,
here in the United States, we've had almost 60,000 murders,
260,000 rapes, 1,600,000 robberies and 2,600,000 assaults. 506
of those violent crimes took place right here in Fox Park.
I know the numbers are staggering. I know that Americans
sit down in front of their TVs at night
watch the news and
say
why doesn't somebody do something about this incredible
mess? People are dying in the streets, for God's sake.
Well
twelve-hundred and one days later
Congress still
hasn't acted on my Bill.
I think if they had a glacier on Capitol Hill, they'd name
it "Speedy."//
But frustrating as this Crime Bill has been for me
it's
still my job as President to get results. There are good people
on both sides of the issue, working in good faith for a
compromise
and I will not rest until this matter is settled.
This very week, we're close to an agreement on a bill the
Congress could send me -- and I will sign. The Comprehensive
Bill could include, for example, a workable death-penalty
provision for horrible murders
committed by terrorists,
assassins, drug lords and others of that nature.
5
But when it comes to crime, we always -- always -- have more
to do. We can never rest.
So I want you to know what's on my crime agenda. I'm not
asking for anything but common sense and reasonable justice
especially for women, children and elderly victims of crime.
Specifically, I want to help our states do the following
eight things:
One, apprehend and severely punish carjackers, like the ones
I just described. I want to make carjacking a Federal offense
with harsh penalties. I want thugs who take cars at gunpoint to
stay in a cell so long that when they get out -- they're too old
to drive. //
Two, call deadbeat dads onto the carpet. Right now, a
single mother here in Missouri can be struggling to keep the kids
fed and clothed on her small salary while their father's up in
Chicago, picking out a new Chevy truck with terrycloth pom-poms
and a gun rack. He could be six months behind in child-support,
but no one can touch him because he's over state lines. Well, I
think that's a disgrace, and it's about time the long arm of the
law reaches out over that state line
taps that deadbeat dad on
the shoulder
and says loud and clear -- time to pay up, buddy.
Cough up the cash or go to jail.
Three, strengthen laws dealing with sexual and domestic
violence. To start with, we need to protect the victim's
privacy. It's cruel to put her in the spotlight. And I want
repeat sex and domestic-violence offenders behind bars until
6
trial. Today, even a repeat offender can get arrested and be out
on bond hours later
stalking his next victim
or beating
his
wife and kids for turning him in. I want him detained until
trial, and I want the prosecution to be able to use past
convictions against him. Right now, so-called little details
--
like the fact he's a three-time loser -- can't even be mentioned
in court. And that's wrong. Let him pay for what he's done. 11
Four, crack down on gang violence. I want gangs to be
reclassified under the law as criminal enterprises, just like any
other organized crime. That way, we can go after the leaders,
and we can deal harshly with them, and we can untie the hands of
good cops so they can clean up decent neighborhoods. I also want
to toughen the penalties for using juveniles in crimes. Gangs
right now can send under-age kids out to do their dirty work,
because they're minors and they'll get off if they're caught.
I
think the older gang members should be punished harshly for
treating these little kids like bullet fodder./
Five, protection for the elderly. It's absurd that the
folks who've contributed to this society all through their lives
have to live in terror when they're old and frail, just because
some young punks see them as an easy target. They're as low as
the thugs who pick on children, and I want to beef up the laws
that put them behind bars so they're not on the streets mugging
grandmothers. Instead, they'd be in front of a police camera
mugging pictures for their criminal files.//
7
six, Habeas Corpus reform. Habeas Corpus is a fancy way of
saying, if you're found guilty of something, you can challenge
the decision in court. It's supposed to protect the innocent,
but it's turned into a ridiculous perversion of the law.
Criminal lawyers use it to postpone justice. A guilty verdict
can mean seemingly endless appeals that choke our courts and
delay justice. It's about time we put a stop to this travesty.
Let them have one Habeas Corpus petition and be done with it.//
Seven, a Federal death penalty. I think certain acts of
violence deserve the ultimate penalty. I'm talking about
assassinations, murder for hire, terrorism and other depraved
acts. These people are merchants of death, who trade in death
so when they kill someone, let's complete the transaction. 11
And eight, firearms. This one's short and sweet. I want
tougher penalties for any crime committed with a gun. Period. 11
(Brief pause.)
Now, I'm not saying that tougher laws are going to fix
everything. I'm a firm believer in justice, but I think
punishment is only part of the solution.
The other part has a more human face.
Tomorrow's criminals are still just kids today. And while I
believe in resources for law enforcement
and in reform for law
enforcement
I also believe that at some point early in life, a
youngster at a critical juncture can be steered to a life of
right
or a life of terrible wrong. It all depends on the kind
of soil you plant these kids in
and how you nourish them.
8
That's why I believe our weed-and-seed program is so very
crucial. Weed-and-seed means going into a rough neighborhood
eradicating the 'weeds' of violent crime that can choke a young
life
and replacing them with 'seeds' of social opportunity and
reform.
That's what Operation Crackdown is all about: The Federal
Government, working with local law enforcement, reclaiming crack
houses and giving them back to the community.
And that's what your COPS program, here in Fox Park, is all
about, too, on a local level. Real people making real changes in
your own neighborhood.
You know, just the other day, only a few blocks from here,
police officers raided a crack house on Ohio Avenue. And as
those officers came out of the house with those drug-dealers
handcuffed, the neighbors -- maybe some of you -- came out to
their porches and gave those police a standing ovation and a
cheer.
That's what this country's hungry for. Americans want to
take crime out of their neighborhoods.
and put the neighbors
back. We've got to weed the poison growth from the soil
and
in its place, plant the seeds of hope.
I know you just want to be able to walk down to Worth's
Market, or down to Fox Park for a stroll, or over to Bartlett's
Grocery Store for a newspaper or Mary's Restaurant for a cup of
coffee ((even if she is a Democrat))
and you want to do it
9
knowing you're safe in your own neighborhood, that you've helped
build and kept alive.
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives near that old
crack house over on Ohio. And he said he and his wife Eleanor
had been thinking about selling their house and just moving away
from the drugs and all the ugly crime.
But you know
he's lived in Fox Hill his whole life. It's
his neighborhood.
And after the raid he and Eleanor did some thinking. And
he put it this way. He said:
"You know, I've been waiting for this to happen. Now
we're going to make a stand.
Please join us
join John and Eleanor
and Ohio
Avenue
and Fox Park
and St. Louis
and Missouri
and
this whole United States
and make a stand against crime today.
Because the people deserve it.
Thank you
thank you all for listening
God bless Fox
Park, Missouri
and God bless the United States of America.
10
(Askew/Bunton)
September 27, 1992
7:00 p.m.
CRIME
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
DeSALES CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MISSOURI
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
10:00 A.M.
Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning,
everybody.
It's delightful to be in Fox Park. St. Louis is such a
friendly city. It really warms my heart. So thank you for your
wonderful Missouri welcome.
I want to apologize to everyone who was counting on the
usual Sunday Bingo game last night. I hear the Secret Service
spoiled your fun when they had to check out the building. Well,
I'm sorry you missed the game, but it was smart to stay away.
Believe me, you don't want to be jumping up suddenly and yelling
"Bingo!" around these guys./
I want to talk to you today about what I consider
government's first and most-basic function: to protect every
American citizen from violence -- at home and on the streets.
Now
that's nothing new. Security is one big reason
government was created in the first place.
What's is new
are the terrible forms violence has taken
recently.. beyond anything our founding fathers could've
imagined.
A whole generation has grown up with the threat of nuclear
terror hanging like a sword over its head. And it's been
1
horrible. Our kids had nightmares. It seemed like it would
never end.
Well, it did end. And today I can stand up here and say
something no President could ever say before.
The Cold War is over. Freedom finished first. //
Now, we need to win the peace
right here at home and in
the streets of Fox Park. //
What's the point, after all
of winning a Cold War if our
grandparents and grandchildren lock themselves behind the bars on
their windows, afraid to come out from a jail called home?
Now, I'm not saying we haven't made progress against violent
crime. We certainly have. We've slowed it dramatically the past
twelve years. And we're beginning to turn the tide on the drugs
that so often fuel it.
But we got soft on crime in the 1960s, and we paid for it.
By the time we cracked down again in the 80s, violent crime had
gone up 400% in twenty years. Since we cracked down, it's gone
up just 27% in a little over ten years, and the overall crime
index is actually down.
So we've stemmed the tide
prevented millions of crimes
but of course, that's not enough. It's never enough.
The face of crime is changing fast, and we need our laws to
react just as quickly
so we can beat it.
Let me give you a timely example. Carjacking -- a brand-
new word for a brand-new crime. Someone figured out it's easy to
steal a car when it's already running, with the keys in the
2
ignition. of course, the owner's behind the wheel. So the
criminal uses a gun.
I want to tell you a story that sickens me, but describes
what we're up against. Just a few weeks ago, in a nice
neighborhood near Baltimore, a woman was sitting in her car at a
stop sign. In broad daylight, two men forced her out of her car
and drove off.
But she got tangled in her seatbelt outside the car. or
maybe she was hanging on. What mother wouldn't? Her baby was in
the back seat.
The mother was dragged for almost two miles. The thieves
tried to knock her off by banging into a fence. And tragically,
she died.
And you know what they did with her little baby? They
tossed her out of the car like a piece of trash.
Miraculously, that baby survived.
And you know what? America is going to survive, too! We
cannot put up with this kind of animal behavior./
These people have no place in a decent society. And as far
as this President's concerned, they can go to jail
they can
stay in jail
and they can rot in jail.//
For that to happen, we need tough laws that don't bend over
backwards protecting the criminal
while saying to the victim,
"Tough luck, buddy. "//
Now, my opponent has learned to talk tough on crime. But
let me tell you: When push comes to shove, what he really
3
believes is that same old hogwash that says it's society's fault
when someone gets mugged. And society should suffer.
Maybe that's why an average inmate in Arkansas served less
than one-fifth of his sentence last year. Maybe that's why
violent crime in Arkansas went up almost 60 percent in the 80s -
- over twice the national average. And maybe that's why Arkansas
in the 80s had the nation's biggest increase in overall crime --
and the third-biggest in violent crime.
If you don't believe me... just ask the Fraternal Order of
Police in Little Rock, Arkansas. They know Bill Clinton's record
best. And guess who they're endorsing for President. That's
right -- it's not Bill Clinton. It's George Bush.
The police know better than anyone.
that we're all
vulnerable: Men, women, children. White, black, brown. Young,
and old. Rich and poor. To a bullet or a blade -- we all look
just the same.
Americans deserve a government that goes after the problem -
- that prevents and punishes crime, and helps victims. //
That's why I want to see America make a move at the Federal
level
to step forward and support state and local police
around the country -- in real, concrete ways. We need to help
them fight.
That's why, twelve-hundred and one days ago, on June 15,
1989 -- the same day Mikhail Gorbachev first hinted the Berlin
Wall might someday fall -- I sent a comprehensive crime bill to
4
Capitol Hill. I offered the hand of partnership to Congress, and
asked it to help me fight crime on a national level.
Listen to this: Since I first sent that bill to the Hill in
1989, here in the United States, we've had almost 60,000 murders,
260,000 rapes, 1,600,000 robberies and 2,600,000 assaults. By
the way, 506 of those violent crimes took place right here in Fox
Park.
Think about that. Enough people to fill the city of St.
Louis more than ten times over
were brutalized while that bill
languished on the Hill.
I know the numbers are staggering. I know that Americans
sit down in front of their TVs at night
watch the news and
ask
why doesn't somebody do something about this incredible
mess? People are dying in the streets, for God's sake.
Well
twelve-hundred and one days later
Congress still
hasn't acted on my Bill.
I think if they had a glacier on Capitol Hill, they'd name
it "Speedy. "//
But frustrating as this crime bill has been for me
it's
still my job as President to get results. There are good people
on both sides of the issue, working in good faith for a
compromise
and I will not rest until this matter is settled.
This very week, we're close to an agreement on a bill the
Congress could send me -- and I will sign. The compromise bill
could include, for example, a workable death-penalty provision
for horrible murders
committed by terrorists, assassins and
5
drug lords. And it would target the shocking violence we see on
TV -- the drive-by shootings and gang turf-wars.
It could also include provisions recommended by Supreme
Court Justice Powell, to short-circuit an endless process of
appeals that make a mockery of justice.
There are other items prompting strong feelings on all
sides, but we're making a good-faith effort to reach a
compromise.
So I want you to know what's on my crime agenda. I'm not
asking for anything but common sense and reasonable justice
especially for women, children and elderly victims of crime.
I think I can get some of these items this year -- then,
I'll come back to get more.
First, apprehend and severely punish carjackers, like the
ones I just described. I want to make carjacking a Federal
offense with harsh penalties. I want thugs who take cars at
gunpoint to stay in a cell so long that when they get out --
they're too old to drive.//
Second, call deadbeat dads onto the carpet. Right now, a
single mother here in Missouri can be struggling to keep the kids
fed and clothed on her small salary
while their father's up in
Chicago, picking out a new Chevy truck with terrycloth pom-poms
and a gun rack. He could be 'way behind in child-support, but no
one can touch him because he's over state lines. Well, I think
that's a disgrace, and it's about time the long arm of the law
reaches out over that state line
taps that deadbeat dad on the
6
shoulder
and says loud and clear -- time to pay up, buddy.
Cough up the cash or go to jail.
Third, strengthen laws dealing with sexual and domestic
violence. For starters, we need to protect the victim. It's bad
enough a rape victim is attacked in the first place. Then she
takes the stand and gets attacked by the rapist's lawyers. I say
that's two too many attacks.
And I want repeat sex and domestic-violence offenders behind
bars until trial. Today, even a repeat offender can get arrested
and be out on bond hours later
stalking his next victim
or
beating his wife and kids for turning him in. I want him
detained until trial, and I want the prosecution to be able to
use past convictions against him. Right now, certain details
can't even be mentioned in court. So-called little details --
like the fact that everyone and their dog, within ten country
miles, knows the guy has done this before. And that's wrong.
Let him pay for what he's done. //
Fourth, crack down on gang violence. I want gangs to be
treated like the criminal enterprises they are. That way, we can
go after the leaders, and we can deal harshly with them, and we
can untie the hands of good cops so they can clean up decent
neighborhoods. I also want to toughen the penalties for using
juveniles in crimes. Gangs right now can send under-age kids out
to do their dirty work, because they're minors and will get off
if they're caught. I think the older gang members should be
7
punished harshly for treating these little kids like bullet
fodder./
Fifth, protection for the elderly. It's absurd that the
folks who've contributed to this society all through their lives
have to live in terror when they're old and frail, just because
some young punks see them as an easy target. They're as low as
the thugs who pick on children, and I want to beef up the laws
that put these thugs behind bars -- so instead of being on the
streets mugging grandmothers -- they're mugging for the police
camera and their criminal file.//
Sixth, Habeas Corpus reform. Habeas Corpus is a fancy way
of saying, if you're found guilty of something, you can challenge
the decision in court. It's supposed to protect the innocent,
but it's turned into a ridiculous perversion of the law. Can you
believe that a lot of these petitions drag on for more than a
decade? Criminal lawyers use it to postpone justice. A guilty
verdict can mean seemingly endless appeals that choke our courts
and delay justice. It's about time we put a stop to this
travesty. Let them have one Habeas Corpus petition and be done
with it.//
Seventh, a Federal death penalty. I think certain acts of
violence deserve the ultimate penalty. I'm talking about
assassinations, murder for hire, terrorism and other depraved
acts. And add to that the new urban violence we see with gangs.
Drive-by shootings, random violence, gang massacres -- these
8
people are merchants of death, who trade in death
so when they
kill someone, let's complete the transaction. //
And eighth, firearms. This one's short and sweet. I want
much-tougher penalties for criminal use of firearms. Period. //
(Brief pause.)
Now, I'm not saying that tougher laws are going to fix
everything. I'm a firm believer in justice, but I think
punishment is only part of the solution.
The other part has a more human face.
Tomorrow's criminals are still just kids today. And while I
believe in resources for law enforcement
and in reform for law
enforcement
I also believe that at some point early in life, a
youngster at a critical juncture can be steered to a life of
right
or a life of terrible wrong. It all depends on the kind
of soil you plant these kids in and how you nourish them.
That's why I believe our weed-and-seed program is so very
crucial. Weed-and-seed means going into a rough neighborhood
eradicating the 'weeds' of violent crime that can choke a young
life
and replacing them with 'seeds' of social opportunity and
reform.
That's what Operation Crackdown in St. Louis is all about:
The Federal Government, working with local law enforcement,
reclaiming crack houses and giving them back to the community.
And that's what your COPS program, here in Fox Park, is all
about, too, on a local level. Real people making real changes in
your own neighborhood.
9
You know, just the other day, only a few blocks from here,
police officers raided a crack house on Ohio Avenue. And as
those officers came out of the house with those drug-dealers
handcuffed, the neighbors -- maybe some of you -- came out to
their porches and gave those police a standing ovation and a
cheer.
That's what this country's hungry for. Americans want to
take crime out of their neighborhoods
and put the neighbors
back. We've got to weed the poison growth from the soil
and
in its place, plant the seeds of hope.
I know you just want to be able to walk down to Worth's
Market, or down to Fox Park for a stroll, or over to Bartlett's
Grocery Store for a newspaper or Mary's Restaurant for a cup of
coffee ((even if she is a Democrat))
and you want to do it
knowing you're safe in your own neighborhood, that you've helped
build and kept alive.
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives near that old
crack house over on Ohio. And he said he and his wife Eleanor
had been thinking about selling their house and just moving away
from the drugs and all the ugly crime.
But you know
he's lived in Fox Hill his whole life. It's
his neighborhood.
And after the raid
he and Eleanor did some thinking.
And
he put it this way. He said:
"You know, I've been waiting for this to happen. Now
we're going to make a stand."
10
Congress, can you hear him?
Please join us
join John and Eleanor
and Ohio
Avenue
and Fox Park
and St. Louis
and Missouri
and
this whole United States
and make a stand against crime today.
Because the people deserve it.
Thank you
thank you all for listening
God bless Fox
Park, Missouri
and God bless the United States of America.
11
352640SS
Document No.
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
9/25/92
5:00PM, TODAY, SEPT.2
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
DeSALE CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MICHIGAN Missouri
SUBJECT:
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992 (MONDAY)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCBRIDE
BAKER
X MOORE
SCOWCROFT
x MULLINS
DARMAN
PETERSMEYER
BATES
PORTER
BRADY
x PROVOST
BROMLEY
ROSS n/c
CALIO N/C
N
SMITH
N/C
DEMAREST
TUTWILER
FITZWATER
X ZOELLICK
GRAY Lee Leiberman
KAUFMAN
HOLIDAY
GROOMES
MCGROARTY
HORNER
REMARKS:
Please provide commentson the attached directly to
Dan McGroarty, Rm. 122, x2930, with a copy to this
office NO LATER THAN 5:00PM, TODAY, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25.
Thank you.
RESPONSE:
called times 3
PHILLIP D. BRADY
Assistant to the President
and Staff Secretary
Ext. 2702
(Askew/Bunton)
September 25, 1992
2 82P.25 P12 07
12:00 p.m.
CRIME
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
DeSALE CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MISSOURI
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
10:00 A.M.
Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning,
everybody.
It's delightful to be in St. Louis, such a friendly city.
It really warms my heart. So thank you for your wonderful
Missouri welcome.
And I'm afraid I have to apologize to everyone who was
counting on the usual Sunday-evening Bingo game last night. I
hear the Secret Service spoiled your fun when they had to check
out the building. Well, I'm sorry you missed the game, but
believe me, it was smart to stay away. You don't want to be
shouting out or making sudden moves around these guys. (("Bingo"
could take on a whole new meaning.) ) //
I want to talk to you today about what I consider
government's most-basic and maybe its most-important function.
I know what you're thinking. You've been listening to that
other fellow and all you can think about is taxes. Well, I'm
not going to talk about taxes today. But I think it's only fair
to warn you that for years down in Arkansas, my opponent has been
trying to declare April 15th a religious holiday. //
1
But what I do want to talk about is the fundamental duty of
our government
to protect every American citizen from violence
-- at home, on the streets, and abroad.
Now
that's nothing new. Security's one big reason
government was created in the first place.
What's new. are the terrible forms violence has taken
recently.. beyond anything our founding fathers could've
imagined.
A whole generation has grown up with the threat of nuclear
terror hanging like a sword over its head. And it's been
horrible. Our kids had nightmares. It seemed like it would
never end.
Well, it did end. And today I can stand up here and say
something no President could ever say before.
The Cold War is over. Freedom finished first. //
Now, we need to win the peace right here at home and in
the streets of Fox Park. //
What's the point, after all
of winning a Cold War if our
grandparents and grandchildren lock themselves behind the bars on
their windows, afraid to come out from a jail called home?
Now, I'm not saying we haven't made progress against violent
crime. We certainly have. We've slowed it dramatically the past
twelve years. And we're beginning to turn the tide on the drugs
that often fuels it. ((Insert brief description of our greatest
areas of progress. ) )
2
But the face of crime is changing fast, and we need our laws
to react just as fast, if we're ever going to beat it.
Carjacking, for a timely example -- a brand-new word for a
brand-new crime. Someone figured out it's easy to steal a car
when it's already running, with the keys in the ignition. of
course, that means the owner's behind the wheel. So they use a
gun.
It makes me sick to think about it but just a few weeks
ago, in a middle-class suburb of Washington. D.C., a Federal
employee -- she worked at (?) -- was sitting in her car at a red
light at (time of day). Two men stuck a gun in her face, pushed
her out, and took off.
But she hung on to the car. And you know why? Because her
baby was in the back seat.
She was dragged for miles. The thieves tried to knock her
off by banging into a guard rail. And finally, they did. She
fell off. Dead.
And you know what they did with her ((X-month-old)) baby?
At forty miles an hour -- they threw her out the window like so
much trash. Never even slowed down.
The miracle is, that baby survived.
And you know what? America's going to survive, too. We
don't have to put up with this kind of depravity.//
These people have no place in a decent society. And as far
as this President's concerned, they can go to jail
they can
stay in jail
and they can stew in jail.//
3
But how do we do it? How do we respond to these horrible
new forms of crime?
Well, we've had a comprehensive crime strategy in place for
some time now.. and it's effective. But criminals are working
overtime. So it's time to dramatically step up our efforts and
stare down the realities of crime in 1992.
And so today I'm challenging Congress to action.
Twelve-hundred and fifteen days ago, on June 15, 1989, back
when ((notable occurrence on or around that day)), I sent a
comprehensive Crime Bill to Congress.
It never came back.
I've followed up with new versions... tried to work
something out with Congress and still -- nothing.
You know, since I first sent that bill to the Hill in 1989,
there have been (X number of rapes, X number of murders, X
number of assaults and X number of robberies)) in the United
States. (X number) of those violent crimes took place right here
in Fox Park.
I know the numbers are staggering. I know that Americans
sit down in front of their TVs at night watch the news and
say
why doesn't somebody do something about this incredible
mess? People are dying in the streets, for God's sake.
Well
you've heard me talk about the gridlock Congress.
It's a truly amazing phenomenon. If they had an iceberg over
there, they'd nickname it "Speedy."
4
And liberals in Congress like to say that George Bush won't
bend on this, won't bend on that. And I admit that I do stick to
my principles.
But it's still my job as President to get results.
So today I'm going to say something you don't hear very
often from Washington. I'm going to bend a little, for the good
of the country.
Congress wants the Brady Bill. I don't. It calls for a
waiting period when someone wants to buy a gun
and I don't
think that kind of stuff slows a criminal down one bit.
But I do know that some people in Congress genuinely believe
the Brady Bill could save some innocent lives. And they won't
support my Crime Bill unless I support their Brady Bill.
So today, I'm prepared to break that logjam.
Congress, I sent over to you this morning eight points of
action I want included my Crime Bill. Some of them you've seen
before, and some of them are new. But I want to make sure they
all get into the Bill.
You agree to all of them
you pass the comprehensive Bill
within the next thirty days you add the Brady Bill on to the
end
And I'll sign the whole package into law -- including Brady.
Fair enough? Thirty days doesn't seem too short a notice,
in view of those twelve-hundred-and-fifteen that've gone by
already. I'll give you the Brady Bill wrapped with a ribbon.
5
Now, folks, in case you're wondering about those eight
points I sent over to Congress this morning
let me assure you
I'm not asking for anything but common sense and reasonable
justice. I want to offer Federal money and support to help
States do the following things:
One, apprehend and severely punish carjackers, like the ones
I just described. I want to make carjacking a Federal offense
with harsh penalties. I want thugs who take cars at gunpoint to
stay in a cell so long that when they get out -- they've
forgotten how to drive. / /
( (Two, call deadbeat dads onto the carpet. Right now, a
single mother here in Missouri can be struggling to keep the kids
fed and clothed on her small salary
while their father's over
in East St. Louis, picking out a new Chevy truck with terrycloth
pom-poms and a gun rack. He could be six months behind in child-
support, but no one can touch him because he's over state lines.
Well, I think that's a disgrace, and it's about time the long arm
of the law reaches out over that state line taps that deadbeat
dad on the shoulder
and says loud and clear -- time to pay up,
buddy. Cough up the cash or go to jail.)) [Do we want to hold
this section until Wednesday?]
Three, strengthen laws dealing with sexual and domestic
violence. To start with, we need to protect the victim's
privacy. It's cruel to put her in the spotlight. And I want
repeat sex and domestic-violence offenders behind bars until
trial. Today, even a repeat offender can get arrested and be out
6
on bond hours later
stalking his next victim
or beating his
wife and kids for turning him in. I want him detained until
trial, and I want the prosecution to be able to use past
convictions against him. Right now, little details -- like the
fact he's a three-time loser -- can't even be mentioned in court.
And that's wrong. Let him pay for what he's done. //
Four, crack down on gang violence. I want gangs to be
reclassified under the law as criminal enterprises, just like any
other organized crime. That way, we can go after the leaders,
and we can deal harshly with them, and we can untie the hands of
good cops so they can clean up decent neighborhoods. I also want
to toughen the penalties for using juveniles in crimes. Gangs
right now can send underage kids out to do their dirty work,
because they're minors and they'll get off if they're caught.
I
think the older gang members should be punished harshly for
treating these little kids like personal slaves./
Five, protection for the elderly. It's absurd that the
folks who've contributed to this society all through their lives
have to live in terror when they're old and frail, just because
some young punks see them as an easy target. They're as low as
the thugs who pick on children, and I want to beef up the laws
that put them behind bars so they're not on the streets mugging
grandmothers. //
Six, Habeas Corpus reform. Habeas Corpus is a fancy way of
saying, if you're found guilty of something, you can appeal the
decision to a higher court. It's supposed to protect the
7
innocent, but it's turned into a ridiculous perversion of the
law. Criminal lawyers use it to postpone justice. A guilty
verdict means an automatic appeal. It goes on and on, sometimes
up to ( (ten??) ) appeals
keeping criminals on the streets and
choking our courts. It's about time we put a stop to this
travesty of justice. Let them appeal once and be done with it. /
Seven, a Federal death penalty. I think certain acts of
violence deserve the ultimate penalty. I'm talking about
assassinations, murder for hire, terrorism and other depraved
acts. They're an outrage, and should be treated as such.
And eight, firearms. I want tougher penalties for any crime
committed with a gun. Period. //
(Brief pause.)
Now, I'm not saying that tougher laws are going to fix
everything. I'm a firm believer in justice, but I think
punishment is only part of the solution.
The other part has a more human face.
Tomorrow's criminals are still just kids today. And while I
believe in resources for law enforcement
and in reform for law
enforcement
I also believe that at some point early in life, a
youngster at a critical juncture can be steered to a life of
right
or a life of terrible wrong. It all depends on the kind
of soil you plant these kids in
and how you nourish them.
That's why I believe our weed-and-seed program is so very
crucial. Weed-and-seed means going into a rough neighborhood
eradicating the 'weeds' of violent crime that can choke a young
8
life
and replacing them with 'seeds' of social opportunity and
reform.
That's what Operation Crackdown is all about. Taking a
crack house and giving it back to the community.
You know, just the other day, only a few blocks from here,
police officers raided a crack house on Ohio Avenue. And as
those officers came out of the old ((brownstone?)) with those
drug-dealers handcuffed, the neighbors -- maybe some of you --
came out onto their porches and gave those police a standing
ovation and a cheer.
That's what this country's hungry for. Americans want to
take the hoods out of neighborhoods
and give 'em back to the
neighbors. We've got to weed the poison growth from the soil
and in its place, plant the seeds of hope.
I know you want to just be able to walk down to Whaley's
Five and Dime, or Mr. Grady's dry-cleaners, down to Fox Park for
a stroll, or over to Peaches and Rufus' for a newspaper and a cup
of coffee.
and you want to do it knowing you're safe in your
own neighborhood, that you've helped build and kept alive.
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives next to that
old crack house over on Ohio. And he said he and his wife
Eleanor had been thinking about selling their house and just
moving away from the drugs and all the ugly crime.
But you know
he's lived in Fox Hill his whole life. It's
his neighborhood.
9
And after the raid
he and Eleanor did some thinking. And
he put it this way. He said:
"You know, I've been waiting for this to happen. Now
we're going to make a stand.' "
Congress -- do you hear me? It's time to make a stand.
Not next year. Not next month. Now.
Please join me
join John and Eleanor
and Ohio
Avenue and Fox Park and St. Louis and Missouri and
this whole United States
and make a stand against crime today.
Thank you
thank you all for listening
God bless Fox
Park, Missouri
and God bless the United States of America.
10
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 9-25-92 ; 6:16PM ;
OPD-
2024566218:# 3
RN:RT 28/07/80
Trzuz 014 V458
ATTORNEY GENERAL
4003
September 25, 1992
MEMORANDUM TO:
FROM:
Assistant to the oft Attorney General
Paul Korfonta
Julie E. Samuels
SUBJECT:
Comments on Presidential Remarks: Desale
Catholic Church, Fox Park, Missouri
Based on a meeting held this evening, we understand that
this speech is likely to be substantially re-written. Please
provide the revised version to Paul McNulty, fax number 514-2424.
You can reach Paul through the DOJ Command Center, if necessary.
Lee Liebermann /
Dennis
for Gray
12:15 days.
Election looks manipulative
VI.
why not talk about
contrast to Demo.
SEP 25 '92 16:11
1
Post-it™ brand fax transmittal memo 7671
# of pages
9
Tearnic Burton
Fram Bich McClue
Co.
White House
Dept.
Phone 14-751322
Fax
#
Fax
MEMORAND
TO:
Mel Lukens
Dave Anderson
FROM:
Richard McClure Real
DATE:
September 25, 1992
RE:
Fox Park Event- Program
September 28,1992
Here is our proposal for the program at the St. Francis Desales
Parish Hall in the Fox Park neighborhood in St. Louis:
Upon the arrival of the President, he is greeted in the
holding room by a small group of law enforcement, neighborhood,
and community leaders. The purpose of this greeting is to have the
U.S. District Attorney, Steve Higgins, and the President of the Police
Board, David Robbins introduce the President to individuals active in
crime prevention and law enforcement programs funded by the
federal government. This also allows the President to refer 10 these
programs and individuals related to them in his speech. Present
would be:
Steven B. Higgins, U.S. Attorney, Eastern District
David Robbins, President of the St. Louis Police Board
Clarence Harmon, St. Louis Police Chief
Rev. Bill Charlton, Director of North Side Team Ministries
Lt. Tom Malecek, Juvenile Commander, St. Louis Police
Delores Atkins, teacher, Sumner High School teacher and
parent, active in school drug and crime prevention
programs.
These individuals highlight important crime programs
funded with federal resources:
Operation Crack Down-this program is designed to
deed back to the community seized drug houses. This is a new
program, recently approved by the Justice Department. The U. S.
SEP 25 '92 16:11
P.2
Attorney has seized 15 houses, and just deeded the first house to
North Side Team ministries to be used for single family low income
housing. (A news clipping is attached.) Rev. Charlton and U. S.
Attorney Higgins are familiar with this program.
School Assistance Program- This program uses funds
from the federal Narcotics Control Assistance Program to provide
police officers in and around St. Louis schools in higher crime areas.
Officers have been placed in or within 1000 ft. of four high schools,
five middle schools and one elementary school. (Press release
attached). Lt. Malecek, Chief Harmon, and Delores Atkins are
familiar with this program.
Gun Free School Zone Program--In cooperation with
the DEA and the public schools the program uses a new federal law
to obtain firearms convictions for offenses committed at schools. The
U.S. Attorney recently obtained the first conviction with a six year,
no parole sentence. Also, Operation Triggerlock, a Department of
Justice Program which uses the federal armed career criminal laws to
put away the most violent street criminals has met with local
success. Steve Higgins and Lt. Malecek are familiar with these
programs.
Community Oriented Policing (COPS) This program
provides a regular presence of the same assigned officers in specific
neighborhoods and around schools. It is a philosophy of police work
that permeates the entire police force. It gets officers out of their
cars for about half of the time, and allows them to become familiar
with a particular neighborhood and its problems. Chief Harmon and
Dave Robbins are familiar with this program
The program for the crowd event in the parish hall could
begin 5 to 10 minutes before the President arrives and continue as
the President is greeting the law enforcement and community
leaders.
Introductions to be made by David
Robbins, President of thePolice Board:
Parish Priest, Father Rich Bockroft-
Richard Swateck, Circuit Attorney (for
brief remarks)
Steve Higgins, U. S. Attorney, (for brief
SEP 25 '92 16:12
P.3
remarks)
Bill Webster, attorney general. (for brief
remarks)
(Note: after the President arrives, Robbins
leaves stage after introducing Sen. Danforth)
Senator Jack Danforth, (for brief remarks,
introduces Gov. Ashcroft)
Governor John Ashcroft, (for brief remarks,
introduces Chief Harmon)
Chief Harmon introduces the President
.
We will work with you on those that are on the stage
when the President is speaking. Please let us know your reaction to
this proposal so we can make contact with the participants.
CC: Gary Foster
3EF-25SEP 25 '92 16:12
BRIEFING FOR PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH
FOR SEPTEMBER 29, 1992 TRIP TO ST. LOUIS
A BACKGROUNDER ON CIVIC LEADERS AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN OPERATION CRACKDOWN
REV. BILL CHARLTON, Director of North Side Team Ministries (314--
334-5656)
Age: 55
Native: born in Conrad, Montana.
Professional background: An ordained Presbyterian minister,
Charlton has been Executive Director of since 1990. He is also
Executive Director of the Water Tower Community Center, which is a
neighborhood based recreation center. His overriding objective: get
to kids before trouble gets to them. He initially got involved in
order to provide recreation and contact with street kids. Within
the last two years, the gangs have infiltrated the area. He-found
some of the kids at the rec center were falling out and into gangs.
His programs are targeted at keeping them out of the gangs. He also
has a program started working with the kids already gang members.
As head of NSTM, he is in charge of the property on Pleasant
Avenue. He reported this merning that they plan to move a homeless
family (mother with five children) into the house as soon as they
can make it habitable. The woman's previous home was condemned.
According to Rev. Charlton, she is hard working at a minimum wage
job, is very bright and very determined to care for her family.
EDUCATION: Masters in Public Administration, Southern Illinois
University, Edwardsville; Masters in Theology, San Francisco
Theology Center; UCLA.
PERSONAL DETAIL: Married, father to seven children.
NORTH SIDE TEAM MINISTRY:
First established in 1964 to provide religious education to
the residents of Pruitt-Igoe, a low-income housing development. The
group -- a collaborative effort of four Christian denominations,
quickly realized more than spiritual enrichment was needed here.
They started collecting and distributing food, clothing and
household goods to the needy Pruitt-Igoe residents. After the
development was shut down (actually, blown up), many people served
by NSTM were forced to relocate to North St. Louis. NSTM followed
them and set up a store-front office on East Grand. Now among other
functions, NSTM rehabs apartments and provides single family homes;
it manages Section 8 housing; it helps in community organization,
leadership and consultation as well as offer parent support groups,
family nutrition and budgeting classes, employment resourcing,
emergency transportation and a variety of programs for children.
Currently has as staff of 14 == seven in the effice, coven at
the rec. center. Funding half from the Monsanto Fund and Pillsbury
Foundation and the other half from private citizens and the
community.
Q
Neighbors
Reclaim
83147512128
Drug Den
Sunday
Seized Crack House
Will Go To Needy
Houses
9-6-92
By Margaret Gillerman
Of the Post Dispatch Staff
From page one
9/5/92
Last year, 4247 Pleasant Avenue
was a "creck bower" where drug traf-
the first to be danpled to a neighborhood group.
lickers streated in and onl, menacing
The program is @ joint effort of federal and local law
neighbors whose yours children
enforcement, the city and neighborhood groups.
played on 6 nearby emply lot is the
"Al the Le DI of this Is making matgborhoods safe," sald
shadow of the city's old Water Tower.
Mayor Vircent C. Schoemehi Jr., who also attended the
On Saturday, the dilapidated house
cerentiony. "You can't have a viable neighborhood when
to
with bars on its whodows was returned
you have A drug house openty operating
to the community. The keys were
"The best weapon the city has against a drog dealer is a
handed over to n church group, the
committed neighborhood," Schuemehl said. "Drug dealers
North Stde Team Ministry, which
bate neighborhoods that care about what's happening next
plans to rehabilitate the Colldlag and
door and down the block. They hate neighbors who want to
tarr It over to a family weeding a
make their can streets safer."
home
Some neighbors and their children gathered around to
U.S. Attorney Stephen B. fligging,
watch the proceedings, while others played down the block
who was Instrumental in Operation
in the Securciay surshine.
Crackdown, the program that turned
Sybli Canada, 29, had her 9-month-old son in tow. Code
the house around, said Saturday that
ada, who has seven children, said the welcomed any effort
be hoped the program comid become a
to rkt the weighborhoods of drugs.
madel for the neilon.
"There Is: 95 much violence out there, you don't know
"One single bouse where drags can
what's goling to happen," she said. of try to keep my eye on
be bought can ultimately destroy an
all" of the children.
entire neighborhood," Higgins said at
John Webster, 37, R néighber and father of two, repaired a
16:13
a ceremony at the house. "If we don't
Bart Simpson T-shirt that seld "CRACK KILLS, BLACK
act, people looking for drags will con-
POWER."
tinue to stream into
neighbor-
Mavis Team Thompson, a board member of the ministry
hoods. The communities need help,
and a neighborhood resident, said crack houses meh as the
and we intend to do everything we
one on Pleasant breed fear and violence and provide
CRO."
terrible rde models for children.
Authorities seized the because using
federal forfeiture two that give them
"NeighBorhoods are saying we're not going to take It my
the right to confiscate bonses where
more," she eald. "You want your placesate. You don't want
5
Larry Wattams/Post-Dispatch
drugs are sold or alored, Illegios sold.
to feel like you're Eving behind bars and armor. You don't
Ever since Operation Creckdown be-
EVEN Chariton (left) and Mavie Tesen Thompson
want to be mirald to & out of your limbe."
gas a year ago, three houses In SL
of North Side Team Ministry at the former
U.S. Marshal Willie Gresson seld the program gives
in
Louis County and 12 in Sill Louis have
crack house at 4247 Pleasant Avenue that their
people In seighbor hoods "the opportunity to
S
been pelsed in drug rakis, be mid.
organization will be rehabilitating.
drugs one neighborhood at a time."
The house on Pleasent Avenue was
- THE 19584 were -
SEP-24SEP
25
'92
16:14
US
ATTORNEY'S
TO
83147512128
STATUIS POST-DIEPATCH
COMMENTARY
A Powerful Weapon Against Drug Suspects
Residents Near Crack Houses Support Seience of Assets By Authorities
n, D. Wester
Is mort 900M. the owner of the property welks - as malsed
no attempt W retrieval And in coost a # is pot because the
o
3 Dec. 12 of last year. U.S. marahais and drog maforce-
owner to too naive to hire as attorney. It is because the owner
most agents served naizare papero prepared by the U.S.
knows that the secure will result is subjecting him
attorney's office on seven dope bouses in St. Louis. Part
or her to the scrutify of the legal process - scretiny that will
of Operation Creckdown - & program designed to save neigh-
expose any Megal transactions going on st the residence.
borbonds from the scourse of drug desiers in Phone minures
For muniple, take the house @@ postally R Pleasent
brought the total to one doren creck and drug houses shut down
Avenue. LD fact when we announced the launching of Opera-
and takes away la the pest three months.
tion Crackdown. we beld the prem conference in the street to
Even though It use early morning on a dull rainy December
front of that residence. Detectives from the St. Loais Police
dey. unighbors on DD9 street weat outside to applaud as police
Department put It under surveillance and watched & steady
officers and Federal asents did their work, on other hindle.
Cow of quick Visito to the front door. The enDors IM without
residents told TV reporters they were happy the houses had
scrually entering the house. A search warrant was executed
- assued. Cas - spoke of his 12-yearveld deughter. about
and eight begs of creck were discuvered kidden in videogames.
how 86 wast her 25 w around & and house.
" reland line bowe, And the www. daid Ave. 2. didn't
No parent does. The purpose of the program and the point of
context LL Et didn't question it. Be sever filed for a return. Be
the areet-forfaiture laws is to pronish drug dealers by taking
know who was in the right and who Wish doing WTONE The
away not only their profits. but enything that facilitains their
house at 4247 Pleasent is DOV federal government property.
work. Hearth and home are precious to everyone you, me,
Or take the time in 1989 when the police got & call from 8
eron # man or woman trafficking is Шера! drugs. But a person
woman who told them ber 14-year-old son and his friends had
who persists to pring his rest-
just bought , large amount of
deace as 8 literal drug store runs
marijuase from the man who
the risk of losing that home. At
owned # house in the 4100 block
the sure time. the neighborhood
of wyoming. B the city of St.
gets a chance to be reved from
Louis. She lound "POISE of the
the deterioration inherent in
dops in & plastic bag in her son's
drug trafficking
pocket and when confronted, be
That in what happened on Dec.
conformed be was desting. The
12 On seven blocks 5 & Loun
man on Wyoming charged him
seven houses from which drugs
$300 for a quarter pound: her 200
were sold were seized under the
pocketed any money over that
provisions of the federal asset
00
The boy also told as mother
forfeiture laws. to &
how be and his friends watched
by slow process. we are trying to
the mas on Wyoming weigh out
put drogs off oar streets and out
about 10 pounds of marijuans
of our neighborhoods. The asset.
and count out more than $10,000
forfeiture laws help.
in cash. The police weat to inves-
And the program has been
tigate and found $ large quantity
walcomed with widespread sup-
of marijuans hidden to # suitcase
port Operation Creckdown has
behind the freezer.
the full backing and endorse-
This man had all the tools of
mast M use mayer of DL Louis.
the trader & wisls that belance
the St. Louis county executive,
scale, 1 lot of zip-lock sandwich
the SL Louis chief of police. the
beft à 20-gauge shotgun, a 23-
director of public safety, Opera-
callber boll-ection single-shot M.
tion Safe Street. ConServ,
fie and & 12-gauge shotsun
Churches United for Community
The than who owned the house
Astica. abrie tust provide
as rell M up ## thair
TM unamployed. and selling plans u Mide Will Low he made Mis
bests. parcotics delectives, DEA and FBI agence.
living He was 45 years old. 6 foot 2 inches tall 270 pounds and
These are not people who are "hooked the drug was but
had tattoos on both arms. One read: Born to Loss.
who an borrified by draw your and simple. They dog't was
If " don't put people like him an of business. 11 all loss.
to BH their neighborhoods destroyed. They would Lice to know
Operation Crecksown and the asset-forfaiture laws are tools
that the investment they made in their house in the city was &
for federal and local authorities to put drug desters out of
sound cas. These are people who feal their children should be
business. Hopefully, the laws will WORK to deter young then and
able to ride their bikes and play outside on the sidewalks and
vomer who think they can make staty money from a trade in
not run the rist of being murdered by warring drug dealers.
say. cocation. The profession is far team alluring If they realize
These are people who are omerated about the fats of their
that obce Day are discovered. their beise #121 be taken away
fundlies and our city,
by federal suthorities.
The laws have been the subject of SUBMITTE
The mayor, county executive. police chief community and
articles - more than as dores in this paper alone Wandreds of
etvie leaders, legal and federal Last enformament all agras tre
column inches have detailed the secure sepects of BEAM
need to protect our children. our streets. our blocks and our
forfeiture and alleged abuses of various forteitare programs.
beighborhoods. Amet-forfeiture LEWS help # do that Contrary
state and federal.
to What J tear is the prevailing media view, these laws are
However, when as invitation for reporters to go with authori.
proving to be affective. I believe strongly that the laws are hast.
best on an actual seizure was extended. It was invored. The next
Asset forteiture is not a game of cash and carry that the
day. 8 short Mory based DU # prem release was buried to the
federal and local authorities are playing on innocent people.
back pages. Security. seizuresiane ferfeitures that are was
Asset forteiture is one more way for law informationt to hare
canted. welcomed Dy the community and well within the
the drug dealer. to detar theme who choces the business of
parameters of the laws get scort start They bouldn't
dealing drugs.
There are entire blocks in our city that are being decimated
Ameri-Joriviture laws are also a meaningful tool to save
by drups. If taking that dealer's house away from him will put
weighborhouds. This is fact. and merely my opinion. There were
him out of business. then I say. take that house sway. And take
people out DE their streets before 8 o'dlock in the morning R a
away his our. Take away his jewels. Take away his cash. And
rainy and dreary December day. chearing as the officers
delivery his steah of drugs.
served are seizure papers.
And If taking that bouse sway will duter others. will force
Ask them. Ask those St. Louis citizens if they would prefer
than to realine that if they due strage in their botter the FWO
that the local and inderal government let theme drug houses
the risk of loging those homes, I say. an the mo: R reason for the
stand and not shut them down. Ask those people living DD
program. Every day our neighborboods are properdized by the
Pleasen: and Clara and Kouz and Addios and North Taylor tomi
presence of drug desiers. Children are put at - risk.
Genaldine and Terry and Belt and Helen and beyond. Quite
by the secure is unwarranted. the person . protected by
homeany. we believe they should be beard.
law. Es can file for return of the property, & bearing le beld: #
Invige weight the extrience and decides whether that hrene or
Stephen R Riggins A emmage for the mastere district of
sar OF or MARK should be returned. La - - it is.
Massuri
SEP 25 '92 16:16
SEP-24-1952
15:03
FROM
US
ATTORNE
OFFICE-EDIC
83147512128
many NUICE
To Seize
Drug House
Government Will Give
Sites To Good Citizens
By Tim Bryant
The mayor, the police and
the U.S. entorcey stand Friday -
twe-story residence WELL hats
on the called It a crack
down. botte and mid Easy were statting #
The BE 4247 Plannet Street,
was as of five reddences the SOY-
emement moved to - Friday in
what city and rederal efficiets hope
will be part of # pregram is which
"dope Bousas" will be turned over to
over
up
Wayne Crossin/Post-Disceatch
in the street, Mayor Viscout C
Police Chief Clarance Harmon talking with residents of the 4200 block of Pleasent Street on
Schoomed
Friday after # press conference called to announce the closing of five reputed crack houses.
# "enerated, locations performily program
Dr.
called
the
Pages
9/14/93
Seizures
Mayor Vincent c.
From page one
Schoemehi Jr. called
in which city and federal authorities
drug dealers and their
can "take our neighborhoods back
accomplices human
from drug desiers.'
reaches.
There is not going to be 8 safe
corner to SL Louis to dest drugs."
Schoemehi said. "St. Louis 2 tired of
ant in the last two years.
It. We're taking our streets back."
Drug raids were carried out recent-
City and federal officials at the
ly at the other residences. authorizes
house, near Fairground Park, ap-
said.
plauded. Most of the 50 or so neighbor-
In a statement. Schoement said:
bood residents who had gathered
"Drug dealers EDC their accomplices
there stood quietly.
are Suman resches. We're going to
Palice Chief Clarease Harmes then
chose them out of the places they
stapped up to the microphone and told
hide. period."
the crowd: "We're getting tough. folks.
Under the city and federal plan.
See what's happening."
called Operation Crackdown, drug
U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Missies
houses seleed through the federal as
said be planned for such seizures to be
set forfeiture program could wind up
more was a be suc BE ARE
ID the BENOS OI the city Lonserv
worked on the program for a year and
office.
hoped to persuade the Justice Depart-
That office could make the resi-
ment to make SL Louis a pliot project
dences available to neighborhood -
in which drug houses salzed by the
ganizations or individuals. Hights
government would become the homes
of good citizens.
said the details of de program had yet
to be decided.
"We hope this be the start of an
in forfeiture are now. drug houses
onsoing program." Higging said. "If
the program ended with the seimure of
typically become the property of the
U.S. Marchal, who sells them to the
their Five houses If would hr little
highest bidder,
more than a publicity stude"
Police made DO arrests Friday. Rig-
is some cases, the buyers are the
sins asid the effort was to get the
drug dealers who lived in the bouses
houses away from drug dealers. rath.
previously.
or than put people to All.
Meyer, the assistant U.S. attorney
Suits were filed Friday in U.S. Dis-
who filed the forfeirure sujes Friday.
tricl Court to sente the house 02 Please
mid the residents sould stay, for DOW.
ast and residences at 1951 It Terry
But the owner YAN De 88 notice that
Avenue, 4121 West Penrose Street
signs o: drug dealting will mean Imme-
1636 Helse Avenue and 2853 Belt Ave.
diate evictions.
nue. In at least two of the houses.
As the officials. police care and
police suspect tenants. rather than the
news crews left the neighborhood,
owners of the house. of drug dealing.
Mary Doyte drove up to Ellot School #
Owners who are not suspected of
block them the house on Fleased:
dealing drugs are protected to they
While waiting IL pick up her two
can show that they were unaware of
granddaughters from school. she said
the drug dealing. said Raymond
police should "Just bust all these
Meyer. an assistant U.S. attorney.
houses that are selling drugs."
Authorities reld police reided the
But she said setring houses could be
house OR Pleasent 10 March and found
carried too far.
creck, a potent form of cocaine. hid-
"You shoulde's be able to take the
Wayne Crossin/Post-Dispatan
den in video games in the benement.
home if the owner is insoceal." she
U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Higgins (fereground) and St. Louis
Hight aid police had evidence of 19
said. "A lot of people don't know
Mayor Vincent C. Schooment Jr. at . press conference celled
drug déals LA the 4200 block of Pleas-
what's going on in their houses."
Friday to announce the closing of five reputed creck houses,
SEP 25 '92 16:17
P.8
vernor John Ashcroft
News Release
Executive Office. Jefferson City, MO 65102
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bob Ferguson
January 2, 1992
314/751-3222
ASHCROFT BACKS ST. LOUIS
CRIME PREVENTION PROJECT
(St. Louis) -- Gov. John Ashcroft today announced a pilot project to reduce crime in St. Louis
neighborhoods and schools.
The governor said violent crime in St. Louis City has increased dramatically, with the 1991 murder
rate up 47.3 percent over 1990 and robbery up 11.6 percent. He said the two-pronged project involving
Community-Orlented Folicing (COPS) and a School Assistance Program can help return safety and civility to
the city's neighborhoods.
"I believe the regular presence of the same assigned officers in specific neighborhoods and around our
schools can instill the kind of community spirit and neighborly resolve that we need to renew," Ashcroft said.
"Community Oriented Policing is an important program already supported by the St. Leuis Police Deard and
its department leadership.
"The COPS program enables the police department to assign specified officers to walk a particular
neighborhood or 'beat,' This concept from the past is regaining tremendous respect among criminal justice
professionals across the country. The COPS program already has proven to be effective here in St. Louis in
fostering a sense of community and partnership between the officer and the residents of a particular area," the
governor said.
Ashcroft said the School Assistance Program places uniformed peace officers in the city's 14 high'
schools, 27 middle schools and 10 of the elementary schools that are located in high-crime areas, as well as in
"safety zones" spanning 1000 feet in every direction from the specified schools. The officers will serve as a
stabilizing force inside the school buildings at the beginning and end of each school day, he said.
"Under optimum conditions. we obviously wouldn't have police officers in our schools," Ashcroft said.
"But we will do what we must to provide a safe environment for our students where real learning and
achievement can occur."
Ashcroft made his announcement at-Roosevelt High School. where 324 crimes occurred last year
within the 1000-foot safety zone. He said during a six-month period in 1988 and 1989, more than 400,000
students nationally were victims of violent crimes at school, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
"Our Sixth National Education Goal states that by the year 2000 every school in America will be free
of drugs and violence and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning," Ashcroft said.
-more-
Printed on Recycled Paper
SEP 25 '92 16:17
P.9
Add One
Attainment of the sixth goal essentially is a prerequisite to achieving the other five education goals. Students.
parents and all taxpayers must be free from the fear of crime and drugs on our streets and in our schools."
Ashcroft said the project will cost $700,000 a year and will be funded through the federal Narcotics
Control Assistance Program administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. These funds are in
addition to the nearly $5 million made available for local drug enforcement and prevention programs, he said.
Federal regulations limit pilot projects to four years.
"Allocating these funds to St. Louis still will allow us to strengthen state support for anti-drug
initiatives in other parts of the state," Ashcroft said.
The governor said the U.S. Justice Department already is funding "Weed and Seed," a pilot project in
Kansas City. Under that program, law enforcement officers "weed out" crime problems in high-crime areas
and establish community partnerships to "seed" the affected neighborhoods with services and activities to
prevent crime problems from recurring.
"It must be made clear that neither the COPS program nor the School Assistance Program represent a
panacea to the multitude of challenges facing our inner-city neighborhoods." Ashcroft said. "But the presence
of familiar officers should give residents assurance and confidence that they are not alone in their fight against
violent crime."
St. Louis Folice Chief Clarence Harmon and Folice Board Chairman David Kobbins joinen Ashcroft
at the news conference.
"This is an example of the strong commitment Governor Ashcroft has shown for both quality education
and 3 safe learning environment." Harmon said. "We are likewise committed to providing the resources
necessary to make the program a success."
In addition, Ashcroft announced an initiative to further protect students by amending the existing
weapons law to extend present restrictions on weapons in schools to the school grounds and to any school bus.
Current law makes it a misdemeanor to bring any firearm or other lethal weapon into school buildings. with
appropriate exceptions. Current law, however, does not extend to school grounds or school buses.
"The unfortunate reality is that sometimes students and, frequently. non-students bring lethal weapons
into the school environment," Ashcroft said. "In a 1990 National Center for Educational Statistics survey of
25,000 eighth-graders from 1.000 public and private schools, 21 percent of the students said they had witnessed
weapons at school."
Under Ashcroft's proposal, appropriate exceptions would continue to apply, including weapons carried
by law enforcement and other specifically designated individuals whose positions legitimately involve the
possession of weapons.
"Lethal weapons have no place in the school environment." Ashcroft said. "Extending the restriction
on lethal weapons to school grounds and school buses will be one more step toward ensuring that our schools
can accomplish what we as citizens have a right to expect .. the education of our children."
-30-
(Askew/Bunton)
September 25, 1992
12:00 p.m.
CRIME
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
DeSALE CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MISSOURI
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
10:00 A.M.
Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning,
everybody.
It's delightful to be in St. Louis, such a friendly city.
It really warms my heart. So thank you for your wonderful
Missouri welcome.
And I'm afraid I have to apologize to everyone who was
counting on the usual Sunday-evening Bingo game last night. I
hear the Secret Service spoiled your fun when they had to check
out the building. Well, I'm sorry you missed the game, but
believe me, it was smart to stay away. You don't want to be
jumping up suddenly and yelling "Bingo" around these guys.//
I want to talk to you today about what I consider
government's most-basic and maybe its most-important function.
I know what you're thinking. You've been listening to that
other fellow. and all you can think about is taxes. Well, I'm
not going to talk about taxes today. But I think it's only fair
to warn you that for years down in Arkansas, my opponent has been
trying to declare April 15th a religious holiday.//
1
But what I do want to talk about is the fundamental duty of
our government. to protect every American citizen from violence
-- at home, on the streets, and abroad.
Now... that's nothing new. Security's one big reason
government was created in the first place.
What's new... are the terrible forms violence has taken
recently beyond anything our founding fathers could've
imagined.
A whole generation has grown up with the threat of nuclear
terror hanging like a sword over its head. And it's been
horrible. Our kids had nightmares. It seemed like it would
never end.
Well, it did end. And today I can stand up here and say
something no President could ever say before.
The Cold War is over. Freedom finished first. //
Now, we need to win the peace
right here at home and in
the streets of Fox Park. //
What's the point, after all
of winning a Cold War if our
grandparents and grandchildren lock themselves behind the bars on
their windows, afraid to come out from a jail called home?
Now, I'm not saying we haven't made progress against violent
crime. We certainly have. We've slowed it dramatically the past
twelve years. And we're beginning to turn the tide on the drugs
that often fuels it. ((Insert brief description of our greatest
areas of progress.))
2
But the face of crime is changing fast, and we need our laws
to react just as fast, if we're ever going to beat it.
Carjacking, for a timely example -- a brand-new word for a
brand-new crime. Someone figured out it's easy to steal a car
when it's already running, with the keys in the ignition. of
course, that means the owner's behind the wheel. So they use a
gun.
It makes me sick to think about it but just a few weeks
ago, in a middle-class suburb of Washington. D.C., a Federal
employee -- she worked at (?) -- was sitting in her car at a red
light at (time of day). Two men stuck a gun in her face, pushed
her out, and took off.
But she hung on to the car. And you know why? Because her
baby was in the back seat.
She was dragged for miles. The thieves tried to knock her
off by banging into a guard rail. And finally, they did. She
fell off. Dead.
And you know what they did with her ((X-month-old)) baby?
At forty miles an hour -- they threw her out the window like so
much trash. Never even slowed down.
The miracle is, that baby survived.
And you know what? America's going to survive, too. We
don't have to put up with this kind of depravity.//
These people have no place in a decent society. And as far
as this President's concerned, they can go to jail
they can
stay in jail
and they can stew in jail.//
3
But how do we do it? How do we respond to these horrible
new forms of crime?
Well, we've had a comprehensive crime strategy in place for
some time now and it's effective. But criminals are working
overtime. So it's time to dramatically step up our efforts and
stare down the realities of crime in 1992.
And so today I'm challenging Congress to action.
Twelve-hundred and fifteen days ago, on June 15, 1989, back
when ((notable occurrence on or around that day)), I sent a
comprehensive Crime Bill to Congress.
It never came back.
I've followed up with new versions. tried to work
something out with Congress.. and still -- nothing.
You know, since I first sent that bill to the Hill in 1989,
there have been ((X number of rapes, X number of murders, X
number of assaults and X number of robberies)) in the United
States. (X number) of those violent crimes took place right here
in Fox Park.
I know the numbers are staggering. I know that Americans
sit down in front of their TVs at night... watch the news and
say.
why doesn't somebody do something about this incredible
mess? People are dying in the streets, for God's sake.
Well... you've heard me talk about the gridlock Congress.
It's a truly amazing phenomenon. If they had an iceberg over
there, they'd nickname it "Speedy."
4
And liberals in Congress like to say that George Bush won't
bend on this, won't bend on that. And I admit that I do stick to
my principles.
But it's still my job as President to get results.
So today I'm going to say something you don't hear very
often from Washington. I'm going to bend a little, for the good
of the country.
Congress wants the Brady Bill. I don't. It calls for a
waiting period when someone wants to buy a gun and I don't
think that kind of stuff slows a criminal down one bit.
But I do know that some people in Congress genuinely believe
the Brady Bill could save some innocent lives. And they won't
support my Crime Bill unless I support their Brady Bill.
So today, I'm prepared to break that logjam.
Congress, I sent over to you this morning eight points of
in
action I want included my Crime Bill. Some of them you've seen
before, and some of them are new. But I want to make sure they
all get into the Bill.
You agree to all of them
you pass the comprehensive Bill
within the next thirty days you add the Brady Bill on to the
end
And I'll sign the whole package into law -- including Brady.
Fair enough? Thirty days doesn't seem too short a notice,
in view of those twelve-hundred-and-fifteen that've gone by
already. I'll give you the Brady Bill wrapped with a ribbon.
5
Now, folks, in case you're wondering about those eight
points I sent over to Congress this morning
let me assure you
I'm not asking for anything but common sense and reasonable
justice. I want to offer Federal money and support to help
States do the following things:
Nowin DOJ
One, apprehend and severely punish carjackers, like the ones
antt Bill,
I just described. I want to make carjacking a Federal offense
with harsh penalties. I want thugs who take cars at gunpoint to
stay in a cell so long that when they get out -- they've
forgotten how to drive. //
((Two, call deadbeat dads onto the carpet. Right now, a
single mother here in Missouri can be struggling to keep the kids
Not yet checked
with Education Dept.
(Deniet Deadbeat student
fed and clothed on her small salary
while their father's over
in East St. Louis, picking out a new Chevy truck with terrycloth
pom-poms and a gun rack. He could be six months behind in child-
support, but no one can touch him because he's over state lines.
Well, I think that's a disgrace, and it's about time the long arm
HUD/VA
(MortGAGE loans
of the law reaches out over that state line
taps that deadbeat
10Ams)
dad on the shoulder
and says loud and clear -- time to pay up,
buddy. Cough up the cash or go to jail.)) [Do we want to hold
this section until Wednesday?]
Three, strengthen laws dealing with sexual and domestic
violence. To start with, we need to protect the victim's
privacy. It's cruel to put her in the spotlight. And I want
repeat sex and domestic-violence offenders behind bars until
trial. Today, even a repeat offender can get arrested and be out
6
on bond hours later
stalking his next victim
or beating his
wife and kids for turning him in. I want him detained until
trial, and I want the prosecution to be able to use past
convictions against him. Right now, little details -- like the
fact he's a three-time loser -- can't even be mentioned in court.
And that's wrong. Let him pay for what he's done./
Four, crack down on gang violence. I want gangs to be
reclassified under the law as criminal enterprises, just like any
other organized crime. That way, we can go after the leaders,
and we can deal harshly with them, and we can untie the hands of
good cops so they can clean up decent neighborhoods. I also want
to toughen the penalties for using juveniles in crimes. Gangs
right now can send underage kids out to do their dirty work,
because they're minors and they'll get off if they're caught.
I
think the older gang members should be punished harshly for
treating these little kids like personal slaves. //
Five, protection for the elderly. It's absurd that the
folks who've contributed to this society all through their lives
have to live in terror when they're old and frail, just because
some young punks see them as an easy target. They're as low as
the thugs who pick on children, and I want to beef up the laws
that put them behind bars so they're not on the streets mugging
grandmothers.//
Six, Habeas Corpus reform. Habeas Corpus is a fancy way of
saying, if you're found guilty of something, you can appeal the
decision to a higher court. It's supposed to protect the
7
innocent, but it's turned into a ridiculous perversion of the
law. Criminal lawyers use it to postpone justice. A guilty
verdict means an automatic appeal. It goes on and on, sometimes
up to ((ten??)) appeals
keeping criminals on the streets and
choking our courts. It's about time we put a stop to this
travesty of justice. Let them appeal once and be done with it.//
Seven, a Federal death penalty. I think certain acts of
violence deserve the ultimate penalty. I'm talking about
assassinations, murder for hire, terrorism and other depraved
acts. They're an outrage, and should be treated as such.
And eight, firearms. I want tougher penalties for any crime
committed with a gun. Period./
(Brief pause.)
Now, I'm not saying that tougher laws are going to fix
everything. I'm a firm believer in justice, but I think
punishment is only part of the solution.
The other part has a more human face.
Tomorrow's criminals are still just kids today. And while I
believe in resources for law enforcement
and in reform for law
enforcement
I also believe that at some point early in life, a
youngster at a critical juncture can be steered to a life of
right
or a life of terrible wrong. It all depends on the kind
of soil you plant these kids in
and how you nourish them.
That's why I believe our weed-and-seed program is so very
crucial. Weed-and-seed means going into a rough neighborhood
eradicating the 'weeds' of violent crime that can choke a young
8
life
and replacing them with 'seeds' of social opportunity and
reform.
That's what Operation Crackdown is all about. Taking a
crack house and giving it back to the community.
You know, just the other day, only a few blocks from here,
police officers raided a crack house on Ohio Avenue. And as
those officers came out of the old ((brownstone?)) with those
drug-dealers handcuffed, the neighbors -- maybe some of you --
came out onto their porches and gave those police a standing
ovation and a cheer.
That's what this country's hungry for. Americans want to
take the hoods out of neighborhoods
and give 'em back to the
neighbors. We've got to weed the poison growth from the soil
and in its place, plant the seeds of hope.
I know you want to just be able to walk down to Whaley's
Five and Dime, or Mr. Grady's dry-cleaners, down to Fox Park for
a stroll, or over to Peaches and Rufus' for a newspaper and a cup
of coffee
and you want to do it knowing you're safe in your
own neighborhood, that you've helped build and kept alive.
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives next to that
old crack house over on Ohio. And he said he and his wife
Eleanor had been thinking about selling their house and just
moving away from the drugs and all the ugly crime.
But you know
he's lived in Fox Hill his whole life. It's
his neighborhood.
9
And after the raid
he and Eleanor did some thinking.
And
he put it this way. He said:
"You know, I've been waiting for this to happen. Now
we're going to make a stand. "
Congress -- do you hear me? It's time to make a stand.
Not next year. Not next month. Now.
Please join me join John and Eleanor. and Ohio
Avenue and Fox Park and St. Louis and Missouri
and
this whole United States
and make a stand against crime today.
Thank you thank you all for listening God bless Fox
Park, Missouri
and God bless the United States of America.
10
(Askew/Bunton)
September 25, 1992
12:00 p.m.
CRIME
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
DeSALE CATHOLIC CHURCH
FOX PARK, MISSOURI
SEPTEMBER 28, 1992
10:00 A.M.
Thank you for that kind introduction, and good morning,
everybody.
It's delightful to be in St. Louis, such a friendly city.
It really warms my heart. So thank you for your wonderful
Missouri welcome.
And I'm afraid I have to apologize to everyone who was
counting on the usual Sunday-evening Bingo game last night.
H
hear the Secret Service spoiled your fun when they had to check
out the building. Well, I'm sorry you missed the game, but
believe me, it was smart to stay away. You don't want to be
jumping up suddenly and yelling "Bingo" around these guys.//
I want to talk to you today about what I consider
government's most-basic and maybe its most-important function.
I know what you're thinking. You've been listening to that
other fellow.. and all you can think about is taxes. Well, I'm
not going to talk about taxes today. But I think it's only fair
to warn you that for years down in Arkansas, my opponent has been
trying to declare April 15th a religious holiday.//
1
But what I do want to talk about is the fundamental duty of
our government.
to protect every American citizen from violence
-- at home, on the streets, and abroad.
Now
that's nothing new. Security's one big reason
government was created in the first place.
What's new
are the terrible forms violence has taken
recently
beyond anything our founding fathers could've
imagined.
A whole generation has grown up with the threat of nuclear
terror hanging like a sword over its head. And it's been
horrible. Our kids had nightmares. It seemed like it would
never end.
Well, it did end. And today I can stand up here and say
something no President could ever say before.
The Cold War is over. Freedom finished first. //
Now, we need to win the peace
right here at home and in
the streets of Fox Park.//
What's the point, after all of winning a Cold War if our
grandparents and grandchildren lock themselves behind the bars on
their windows, afraid to come out from a jail called home?
Now, I'm not saying we haven't made progress against violent
crime. We certainly have. We've slowed it dramatically the past
twelve years. And we're beginning to turn the tide on the drugs
that often fuels it. ((Insert brief description of our greatest
areas of progress.))
2
But the face of crime is changing fast, and we need our laws
to react just as fast, if we're ever going to beat it.
Carjacking, for a timely example -- a brand-new word for a
brand-new crime. Someone figured out it's easy to steal a car
when it's already running, with the keys in the ignition. of
course, that means the owner's behind the wheel. So they use a
gun.
It makes me sick to think about it but just a few weeks
ago, in a middle-class suburb of Washington. D.C., a Federal
employee -- she worked at (?) -- was sitting in her car at a red
light at (time of day). Two men stuck a gun in her face, pushed
her out, and took off.
But she hung on to the car. And you know why? Because her
baby was in the back seat.
She was dragged for miles. The thieves tried to knock her
off by banging into a guard rail. And finally, they did. She
fell off. Dead.
And you know what they did with her ((X-month-old)) baby?
At forty miles an hour -- they threw her out the window like so
much trash. Never even slowed down.
The miracle is, that baby survived.
And you know what? America's going to survive, too. We
don't have to put up with this kind of depravity.//
These people have no place in a decent society. And as far
as this President's concerned, they can go to jail
they can
stay in jail
and they can stew in jail.//
3
But how do we do it? How do we respond to these horrible
new forms of crime?
Well, we've had a comprehensive crime strategy in place for
some
time now... and it's effective. But criminals are working
overtime. So it's time to dramatically step up our efforts and
stare down the realities of crime in 1992.
And so today I'm challenging Congress to action.
Twelve-hundred and fifteen days ago, on June 15, 1989, back
when ((notable occurrence on or around that day)), I sent a
comprehensive Crime Bill to Congress.
It never came back.
I've followed up with new versions tried to work
something out with Congress and still -- nothing.
You know, since I first sent that bill to the Hill in 1989,
there have been ((X number of rapes, X number of murders, X
number of assaults and X number of robberies)) in the United
States. (X number) of those violent crimes took place right here
in Fox Park.
I know the numbers are staggering. I know that Americans
sit down in front of their TVs at night... watch the news and
say
why doesn't somebody do something about this incredible
mess? People are dying in the streets, for God's sake.
Well
you've heard me talk about the gridlock Congress.
It's a truly amazing phenomenon. If they had an iceberg over
there, they'd nickname it "Speedy."
4
And liberals in Congress like to say that George Bush won't
bend on this, won't bend on that. And I admit that I do stick to
my principles.
But it's still my job as President to get results.
So today I'm going to say something you don't hear very
often from Washington. I'm going to bend a little, for the good
of the country.
Congress wants the Brady Bill. I don't. It calls for a
waiting period when someone wants to buy a gun
and I don't
think that kind of stuff slows a criminal down one bit.
But I do know that some people in Congress genuinely believe
the Brady Bill could save some innocent lives. And they won't
support my Crime Bill unless I support their Brady Bill.
So today, I'm prepared to break that logjam.
Congress, I sent over to you this morning eight points of
action I want included my Crime Bill. Some of them you've seen
before, and some of them are new. But I want to make sure they
all get into the Bill.
You agree to all of them
you pass the comprehensive Bill
within the next thirty days
you add the Brady Bill on to the
end
And I'll sign the whole package into law -- including Brady.
Fair enough? Thirty days doesn't seem too short a notice,
in view of those twelve-hundred-and-fifteen that've gone by
already. I'll give you the Brady Bill wrapped with a ribbon.
5
Now, folks, in case you're wondering about those eight
points I sent over to Congress this morning
let me assure you
I'm not asking for anything but common sense and reasonable
justice. I want to offer Federal money and support to help
States do the following things:
One, apprehend and severely punish carjackers, like the ones
I just described. I want to make carjacking a Federal offense
with harsh penalties. I want thugs who take cars at gunpoint to
stay in a cell so long that when they get out -- they've
forgotten how to drive. 11
((Two, call deadbeat dads onto the carpet. Right now, a
single mother here in Missouri can be struggling to keep the kids
fed and clothed on her small salary
while their father's over
in East St. Louis, picking out a new Chevy truck with terrycloth
pom-poms and a gun rack. He could be six months behind in child-
support, but no one can touch him because he's over state lines.
Well, I think that's a disgrace, and it's about time the long arm
of the law reaches out over that state line
taps that deadbeat
dad on the shoulder
and says loud and clear -- time to pay up,
buddy. Cough up the cash or go to jail.)) [Do we want to hold
this section until Wednesday?]
Three, strengthen laws dealing with sexual and domestic
violence. To start with, we need to protect the victim's
privacy. It's cruel to put her in the spotlight. And I want
repeat sex and domestic-violence offenders behind bars until
trial. Today, even a repeat offender can get arrested and be out
6
on bond hours later
stalking his next victim
or beating his
wife and kids for turning him in. I want him detained until
trial, and I want the prosecution to be able to use past
convictions against him. Right now, little details -- like the
fact he's a three-time loser -- can't even be mentioned in court.
And that's wrong. Let him pay for what he's done. 11
Four, crack down on gang violence. I want gangs to be
reclassified under the law as criminal enterprises, just like any
other organized crime. That way, we can go after the leaders,
and we can deal harshly with them, and we can untie the hands of
good cops so they can clean up decent neighborhoods. I also want
to toughen the penalties for using juveniles in crimes. Gangs
right now can send underage kids out to do their dirty work,
because they're minors and they'll get off if they're caught.
I
think the older gang members should be punished harshly for
treating these little kids like personal slaves.//
Five, protection for the elderly. It's absurd that the
folks who've contributed to this society all through their lives
have to live in terror when they're old and frail, just because
some young punks see them as an easy target. They're as low as
the thugs who pick on children, and I want to beef up the laws
that put them behind bars so they're not on the streets mugging
grandmothers. /
Six, Habeas Corpus reform. Habeas Corpus is a fancy way of
saying, if you're found guilty of something, you can appeal the
decision to a higher court. It's supposed to protect the
7
innocent, but it's turned into a ridiculous perversion of the
law. Criminal lawyers use it to postpone justice. A guilty
verdict means an automatic appeal. It goes on and on, sometimes
up to ((ten??)) appeals
keeping criminals on the streets and
choking our courts. It's about time we put a stop to this
travesty of justice. Let them appeal once and be done with it.//
Seven, a Federal death penalty. I think certain acts of
violence deserve the ultimate penalty. I'm talking about
assassinations, murder for hire, terrorism and other depraved
acts. They're an outrage, and should be treated as such.
And eight, firearms. I want tougher penalties for any crime
committed with a gun. Period. //
(Brief pause.)
Now, I'm not saying that tougher laws are going to fix
everything. I'm a firm believer in justice, but I think
punishment is only part of the solution.
The other part has a more human face.
Tomorrow's criminals are still just kids today. And while I
believe in resources for law enforcement
and in reform for law
enforcement
I also believe that at some point early in life, a
youngster at a critical juncture can be steered to a life of
right
or a life of terrible wrong. It all depends on the kind
of soil you plant these kids in
and how you nourish them.
That's why I believe our weed-and-seed program is so very
crucial. Weed-and-seed means going into a rough neighborhood
eradicating the 'weeds' of violent crime that can choke a young
8
life
and replacing them with 'seeds' of social opportunity and
reform.
That's what Operation Crackdown is all about. Taking a
crack house and giving it back to the community.
You know, just the other day, only a few blocks from here,
police officers raided a crack house on Ohio Avenue. And as
those officers came out of the old ((brownstone?)) with those
drug-dealers handcuffed, the neighbors -- maybe some of you --
came out onto their porches and gave those police a standing
ovation and a cheer.
That's what this country's hungry for. Americans want to
take the hoods out of neighborhoods
and give 'em back to the
neighbors. We've got to weed the poison growth from the soil
and in its place, plant the seeds of hope.
I know you want to just be able to walk down to Whaley's
Five and Dime, or Mr. Grady's dry-cleaners, down to Fox Park for
a stroll, or over to Peaches and Rufus' for a newspaper and a cup
of coffee
and you want to do it knowing you're safe in your
own neighborhood, that you've helped build and kept alive.
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives next to that
old crack house over on Ohio. And he said he and his wife
Eleanor had been thinking about selling their house and just
moving away from the drugs and all the ugly crime.
But you know
he's lived in Fox Hill his whole life. It's
his neighborhood.
9
And after the raid
he and Eleanor did some thinking.
And
he put it this way. He said:
"You know, I've been waiting for this to happen. Now
we're going to make a stand. "
Congress -- do you hear me? It's time to make a stand.
Not next year. Not next month. Now.
Please join me
join John and Eleanor
and Ohio
Avenue
and Fox Park
and St. Louis
and Missouri
and
this whole United States
and make a stand against crime today.
Thank you
thank you all for listening
God bless Fox
Park, Missouri
and God bless the United States of America.
10
George Bush, 1992
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Sept. 28
1787
the Civil
pendence in their daily lives. This tool also
dred and ninety-two, and of the Independ-
ents of 1992
has great symbolic value, for it is a tangible
ence of the United States of America the two
reminder of the courage, determination, and
hundred and seventeenth.
achievements of persons with disabilities.
sign into law H.R.
As we recognize the accomplishments of
George Bush
Act Amendments
Americans who use the white cane, it is fit-
alfills the commit-
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register,
ting that we also recognize the importance
de in 1988 to indi-
11:54 a.m., September 28, 1992]
of promoting their safety. For Americans
try who were in-
who are not blind or visually impaired, this
Note: This proclamation was released by the
World War II, and
means taking responsibility as careful, cour-
Office of the Press Secretary on September
teous drivers and pedestrians.
28, and it was published in the Federal Reg-
Act of 1988, the
Americans who use the white cane deserve
ister on September 29.
r the wrongful in-
not only the respect and courtesy of others
innocent, loyal in-
but also the right to equal opportunity. The
netary compensa-
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that
his or her heirs).
I signed 2 years ago affirmed the rights of
Remarks to the Community in
S bill will ensure
persons with disabilities and strengthened
St. Louis, Missouri
are compensated
our Nation's commitment to eliminating the
September 28, 1992
ts are compelled
physical and attitudinal barriers that, in the
I to sign this bill
past, prevented these individuals from par-
Thank you very much for that kind intro-
ticipating fully in the mainstream of Amer-
duction, Chief Harmon. Let me say that I've
portant technical
ican life. Today the United States is providing
heard a good deal about the work of this chief
which will help
a model for the world as we work toward
and of this police force. And I salute every
f claimants and
full and harmonious implementation of the
man and woman who's out there in the St.
program.
ADA.
Louis police force laying their lives on the
a ever fully com
In order to ensure that every American is
line for us every single day of their life. We
icans for one of
prepared for the opportunities that life of-
ought to be grateful to those who wear the
erican constitu-
fers, we are also working through the AMER-
uniform, and I'm certainly grateful to this
everything pos-
ICA 2000 program to promote lifelong learn-
group.
grave wrong
ing and achievement. The many Americans
And may I salute our great Governor, John
who have obtained training in use of the
Ashcroft, and fantastic Senator, Senator Jack
George Bush
white cane have demonstrated their appre-
Danforth. It's delightful to be in Fox Park,
ciation of the value of learning far beyond
St. Louis, a friendly city. Actually, my mother
the traditional classroom, and their efforts
grew up here. My brother lives here, cousin
should challenge and inspire others.
lives here. And I love that heartbeat of St.
Recognizing the importance of the white
Louis. So thank you for this welcome.
September 27,
cane to Americans with visual impairments,
A word to those in this parish. I want to
102-371.
the Congress, in 1964, by Public Law 88-
apologize to everyone who was counting on
628, designated October 15 of each year as
the usual Sunday bingo game last night. I
"White Cane Safety Day" and requested the
hear that the Secret Service spoiled your fun
President to issue annually a proclamation in
when they had to check out the building. I'm
ite Cane
observance of this day.
sorry you missed the game. It was smart,
Now, Therefore, I, George Bush, Presi-
though, to stay away. Believe me, you don't
dent of the United States of America, do
want to be jumping up suddenly and yelling
hereby proclaim October 15, 1992, as White
"Bingo!" around these Secret Service guys.
States
Cane Safety Day. I encourage all Americans
This has all the earmarks of a political
to observe this day with appropriate pro-
gathering, but I really want to talk to you
grams and activities in recognition of the in-
today about what I consider a foremost, a
yet very useful
terests and achievements of persons who use
first and most basic function of Government:
the white cane.
with visual im-
to protect every American citizen from vio-
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set
lence, at home and on the streets. Now,
bility and inde-
my hand this twenty-seventh day of Septem-
there's nothing new about that. Security is
ber, in the year of our Lord nineteen hun-
one big reason Government was created in
1788
Sept. 28 / Administration of George Bush, 1992
the very first place. But what is new are the
did with her little baby? They tossed her out
terrible forms that violence has taken re-
of the car like a piece of trash. Miraculously,
cently, beyond anything our Founding Fa-
that baby survived.
thers could have imagined.
And you know what? America is going to
A whole generation has grown up with the
survive, too. We cannot put up with this kind
threat of nuclear terror hanging like a sword
of animal behavior. These people have no
over its head. And it's been horrible. Our kids
place in a decent society. And as far as this
had nightmares. It seemed like it would
President's concerned, they can go to jail,
never end. Well, it did end. And today I can
and they can stay in jail, and they can rot
stand up here and say something that no
in jail for crimes like that. For that to happen,
other President could ever say before: the
we need tough laws that don't bend over
cold war is over. Freedom finished first.
backwards protecting the criminal while say-
Now, we must win the peace. Right here
ing to the victim, "Tough luck, buddy."
at home, in the streets of Fox Park. In too
Let's look for a minute at the Arkansas
many places, our grandparents and grand-
record and see where Governor Clinton
children lock themselves behind the bars on
stands. The average inmate in Arkansas
their windows, afraid to come out from a jail
served less than one-fifth of his sentence last
called home. This simply must end.
year. Most Federal inmates serve at least 85
We've made progress against violent
percent of their full sentence. Violent crimes
crime. We've slowed it dramatically the past
in that State, in Arkansas, went up almost
12 years. And we're beginning to turn the
60 percent in the eighties, over twice the na-
tide on the drugs that so often fuel it. But
tional average. Arkansas had the Nation's big-
we got soft on crime way back in the sixties,
gest increase in overall crime and the third-
and we paid for it. Then by the time we
biggest in violent crime.
cracked down again in the eighties, violent
This kind of record is not right for Arkan-
crime had gone up 400 percent in 20 years.
sas, and it is not right for America. If you
Since we cracked down, it's gone up just 27
don't believe me, just ask the Fraternal
percent in a little over 10 years, and the over-
Order of Police in Little Rock, Arkansas.
all crime index is actually down.
So we've stemmed the tide, in a sense, pre-
They know Governor Clinton's record best,
vented millions of crimes. But of course, that
and they're endorsing me for President of
is simply not enough. It's never enough. The
the United States. The police know better
face of crime is changing fast, and we need
than anyone that we're all vulnerable: men,
women, children; white, black, brown;
our laws to react just as quickly, so that we
can beat it.
young, old; rich and poor. To a bullet or a
Let me give you a timely example.
blade we all look just the same.
Americans deserve a Government that
Carjacking: a brandnew word for a brandnew
crime. Someone figured out it's easy to steal
goes after the problem, that prevents and
a car when it's already running, with the keys
punishes crime and helps the victims, lifts
in the ignition. Of course, the owner's behind
up the victims of crime. That's why I want
the wheel. So the criminal uses a gun. I want
to see America make a move at the Federal
to tell you a story that literally sickens me,
level to step forward and support State and
as I'm sure it will you, but describes what
local police around the country in real, con-
we're up against.
crète ways. We need to help them fight.
Just a few weeks ago, in a nice neighbor-
That's why 1,201 days ago, on June 5, 1989
hood near Baltimore, a women was sitting
[June 15, 1989] ¹-the same day Mikhail
in her car at a stop sign. In broad daylight,
Gorbachev first hinted that the Berlin Wall
two men forced her out of her car and drove
might someday fall-I sent a comprehensive
off. But she was tangled in the seatbelt, trying
crime bill to Capitol Hill. I offered the hand
desperately to save her baby. The mother was
of partnership to Congress and asked it to
dragged for almost 2 miles. The thieves tried
help me fight crime on a national level.
to knock her off by banging into a fence, and
tragically, she died. And you know what they
1 White House correction
orge Bush, 1992
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Sept. 28
1789
y tossed her out
Listen to this: Since I first sent that bill
scribed. I want to make carjacking a Federal
h. Miraculously,
to the Hill in 1989, here in the United States,
offense with harsh penalties. And I want
we've had almost 60,000 murders, 260,000
thugs who take cars at gunpoint to stay in
erica is going to
rapes, 1,600,000 robberies, and 2,600,000 as-
a cell so long that when they get out they're
p with this kind
saults. By the way, 506 of those violent
too old to drive.
people have no
crimes took place right here in Fox Park.
Second, I keep talking about strengthening
d as far as this
Think about that. Across America that's
the family, well, here's one for you: Call the
can go to jail,
enough assault victims to fill the city of St.
deadbeat dads onto the carpet. Right now,
d they can rot
Louis more than six times over. Victims bru-
a single mother here in Missouri can be
that to happen,
talized while that bill languished on Capitol
struggling to keep the kids fed and clothed
Hill.
lon't bend over
on her small salary, while their father's up
minal while say-
Now, I know the numbers are staggering.
in Chicago somewhere, picking out a new
I know that Americans sit down in front of
buddy."
Chevy truck with terrycloth pom-poms and
it the Arkansas
their TV's at night, watch the news, and say:
a gunrack. Now, he could be way behind in
vernor Clinton
Why doesn't somebody do something about
child support, but no one can touch him be-
e in Arkansas
this incredible mess? People are dying in the
cause he's across the State lines. Well, I think
is sentence last
streets, for heaven's sake. Well, 1,201 days
that's a disgrace, and it's about time the long
serve at least 85
later, Congress still has not acted on my
arm of the law reaches out over that State
Violent crimes
crime bill. I think if they had a glacier on
line, taps that deadbeat dad on the shoulder,
Capitol Hill, they'd name it Speedy. You
vent up almost
and says loud and clear: time to pay up;
er twice the na-
ought to try and get something done there.
cough up the cash or go to jail.
But frustrating as this crime bill has been,
he Nation's big-
The third, strengthen the laws dealing with
and the third-
it's still my job as President to get results.
sexual and domestic violence. For starters,
There are good people on both sides of the
we need to protect the victim. It is bad
issue, working in good faith for a com-
right for Arkan-
enough a rape victim is attacked in the first
promise. And I will not rest until this matter
place. Then she takes the stand, and then
America. If you
is settled.
the Fraternal
she gets worked over and attacked by the
This very week, we are now finally close
rapist's lawyers. I say that makes two too
Rock, Arkansas.
to an agreement on a bill the Congress could
many attacks.
n's record best,
send me, and I'll sign. The compromise bill
And I want repeat sex and domestic vio-
or President of
could include, for example, a workable death
lence offenders behind bars until trial.
ce know better
penalty for horrible murders, committed by
Today, even a repeat offender can get ar-
ulnerable: men,
terrorists, assassins, and drug lords. It should
rested, be out on bond hours later, stalking
black, brown;
target the shocking violence we see on tele-
his next victim or beating his wife and kids
To a bullet or a
vision: the drive-by shootings and gang turf
for turning him in. I want him detained until
3.
wars. This deadly behavior deserves deadly
trial, and I want the prosecution to be able
vernment that
punishment. It should include provisions rec-
to use past convictions against him. Any of
t prevents and
ommended by former Supreme Court Justice
you law enforcement officers knows this, but
le victims, lifts
Powell to short-circuit an endless process of
right now, certain details can't even be men-
it's why I want
appeals that make a mockery of justice.
tioned in court, so-called little details like the
at the Federal
There are other items prompting strong feel-
fact that everyone and their dog within a
pport State and
ings on all sides, but we're making a good
country mile knows the guy acts this way reg-
try in real, con-
faith effort to reach a compromise.
ularly. And that's wrong. Let him pay for
em fight.
So I want you to know what's on my crime
what he's done.
on June 5, 1989
agenda. I'm not asking for anything but com-
Fourth, crack down on gang violence. I
e day Mikhail
mon sense and reasonable justice, especially
want gangs to be treated like the criminal
he Berlin Wall
for women, children, and the elderly victims
enterprises they are. That way, we can go
comprehensive
of crime. I think I can get some of these
after the leaders, and we can deal harshly
ffered the hand
items this year. Then, I'll come back to get
with them, and we can untie the hands of
and asked it to
more of them next year.
good cops so they can clean up decent neigh-
nal level.
Let me click off about eight key points
borhoods. I also want to toughen the pen-
here. First, apprehend and severely punish
alties for using juveniles in crimes. Some of
these carjackers, like the ones I just de-
the gangs right now can send underage kids
1790
Sept. 28 / Administration of George Bush, 1992
out to do their dirty work because they're
in and how you nourish them. I just had
minors and they'll get off if they're caught.
wonderful briefing upstairs by the chief and
I think the older gang members should be
some of our community leaders, including
punished harshly for treating these little kids
the pastor of this church, and what impressed
like bullet fodder.
me is what the community is doing to help
Fifth, protection for the elderly. It is ab-
these kids before they get caught up in this
surd that the folks who have contributed to
wave of criminality.
this society all through their lives have to live
All of this is why I believe that our "Weed
in terror when they're old and frail just be-
and Seed" program, the Federal program, is
cause some young punks see them as an easy
so very crucial. "Weed and Seed", that means
target. They're as low as the thugs who pick
going into a rough neighborhood, eradicating
on children. I want to beef up the laws that
the "weeds" of violent crime that can choke
put these thugs behind bars.
a young life and then replacing them with
Sixth, the habeas corpus reform. Habeas
"seeds" of social opportunity and reform
corpus is supposed to protect the innocent,
That's what Operation Crackdown in St.
but it's turned into a ridiculous perversion
Louis is all about: the Federal Government,
of the law. Can you believe that a lot of these
working with local law enforcement, reclaim-
petitions drag on for more than a decade?
ing crack houses and giving them back to the
Criminal lawyers use it to postpone justice.
community. And that's what your-the chief
A guilty verdict can mean seemingly endless
talked about your COPS program, here in
appeals that choke our courts and delay jus-
Fox Park, is all about, too, on a local level.
tice. It's about time we put a stop to this
Real people making real changes in your own
travesty. Let them have one habeas corpus
neighborhood.
petition and be done with it. And that's what
You know, just the other day, only a few
I'm trying to do in that crime bill right now.
blocks from here, police officers raided a
The seventh, a Federal death penalty. I
crack house on Ohio Avenue. And as those
think certain acts of violence deserve the ulti-
officers came out of the house with those
mate penalty. I'm talking about assassina-
drug dealers handcuffed, the neighbors—
tions, murder for hire, terrorism, and other
maybe some of you all were there-came out
depraved acts. Add to that the new urban
to their porches and gave those police a
violence we see with gangs, drive-by
standing ovation and a cheer. That's what this
shootings, random violence, gang massacres.
country is hungry for. Americans want to take
These people are merchants of death, who
crime out of their neighborhoods and put the
trade in death. The death penalty is war-
neighbors back. And we've got to "weed" the
ranted in these cases. And I wish Congress
poison growth from the soil, and in its place,
would move and do something about it.
plant the "seeds" of hope.
And eighth-and this one's short-fire-
I know there's a craving. I know you just
arms. I want much tougher penalties for
want to be able to walk down to Worth's Mar-
criminal use of firearms, period. Tighten up
ket or down to Fox Park here for a stroll
the law, and take the risk away from these
or over to Bartlett's Grocery Store for a news-
law enforcement officers.
paper or Mary's Restaurant for a cup of cof-
Now, I'm not saying that tougher laws are
fee, even if she is a Democrat-[laughter]-
going to fix absolutely everything. I'm a firm
and you want to do it knowing you're safe
believer in justice, but I think punishment
in your own neighborhood that you've helped
is only part of the solution. The other part
build and kept alive.
has a more human face. Tomorrow's crimi-
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives
nals are still just kids today. And while I be-
in this neighborhood and knows about that
lieve in resources for law enforcement and
old crack house over on Ohio. He said he
in reform for law enforcement, I also believe
and his wife, Eleanor, had been thinking
that at some point early in life, a youngster
about selling their house and just moving out,
at a critical juncture can be steered to a life
moving away from the drugs and all the ugly
of right or a life of terrible wrong. It all de-
crime. But you know, he's lived in Fox Hill
pends on the kind of soil you plant these kids
his whole life. It's his neighborhood. And
George Bush, 1992
Administration of George Bush, 1992 / Sept. 28
1791
hem. I just had
after the raid, he and Eleanor did some
demic came to west Dallas, Mr. Hill's land-
S by the chief and
thinking. And he put it this way. He said,
lords were the local crack dealers until U.S.
leaders, including
"You know, I've been waiting for this to hap-
marshals and the Dallas police put them out
nd what impressed
pen. Now we're going to make a stand."
of business.
y is doing to help
Please join us. Join John and Eleanor and
Audience member. Chicken George, why
caught up in this
Ohio Avenue and Fox Park and St. Louis and
don't you debate?
Missouri and this whole United States and
The President. [Laughter] Listen to this
ve that our "Weed
make a stand against crime today, because
guy. There are going to be debates.
ederal program, is
the people deserve it.
May I say a word about the chicken ques-
Seed", that means
Thank you all so very much for listening.
tion? May I say a word about-you're talking
rhood, eradicating
May God bless Fox Park, Missouri. And God
about the draft record chicken or are you
me that can choke
bless the United States of America. Thank
talking about the chicken in the Arkansas
placing them with
you all very, very much.
River? Which one are you talking about?
unity and reform.
Note: The President spoke at 10:21 a.m. in
Which one? Get out of here. Maybe it's the
Crackdown in St.
leral Government,
the parish hall of St. Francis de Sales Roman
draft. Is that what's bothering you?
Catholic Church.
All right now. As I was saying before being
prcement, reclaim-
so rudely interrupted, I was telling about Mr.
gn them back to the
Hill who owns his own barber shop. His west
at your-the chief
Dallas neighborhood is on the way back, on
program, here in
), on a local level.
Remarks at the East Dallas
the way back just the way all of you here
in east Dallas are on the move forward.
hanges in your own
Renaissance Neighborhood Project
in Dallas, Texas
You know, I came here to talk about the
progress we're making in our quest to make
er day, only a few
September 28, 1992
America more safe and secure. But first let
officers raided a
nue. And as those
The President. Thank you so much. I love
me just say a word about the dominant issue
house with those
what Michael Fells said about his house.
in this campaign, and that's the economy.
the neighbors—
That's the way we all ought to feel about our
The American voter this year is confronted
e there-came out
homes. And I was very proud of that.
with two choices, two candidates with two
ve those police a
Thanks to all of you for this great Dallas
very different economic strategies. If Gov-
er. That's what this
welcome. May I salute your wonderful
ernor Clinton is elected, by next year we will
Mayor, an old friend of mine and Barbara's,
have hundreds of billions of new Govern-
ericans want to take
rhoods and put the
Steve Bartlett, doing an outstanding job for
ment spending, higher taxes on the middle
e got to "weed" the
this wonderful area, this wonderful city. Also
class, and no restraints on Federal spending,
il, and in its place,
I want to salute Judge Lee Jackson and your
and even more pressure on the Federal defi-
Congressman-a Congressman-not this
cit.
g. I know you just
district, but right next door, Sam Johnson,
So Governor Clinton claims he knows a
wn to Worth's Mar-
doing a fine job for Dallas. May I salute our
way to reduce the budget deficit by increas-
k here for a stroll
sheriff, Sheriff Bowles, and our new police
ing taxes on the middle class and giving Con-
ry Store for a news-
chief from Dallas, been here a while, doing
gress more of your money to spend. I believe
nt for a cup of cof-
a great job with the law enforcement com-
the way to reduce the deficit is by making
crat-[laughter]-
munity, Chief Bill Rathburn over here.
tough choices and cutting Government
nowing you're safe
While I'm in the neighborhood, I want to
spending.
that you've helped
recognize Meadows Foundation for their
That's why we put forward a plan, a serious
work restoring homes, restoring hope in this
program to control the growth of spending
aid it best. He lives
community. I saw a little bit of that when
with almost $300 billion in savings over 5
knows about that
Steven here and Dirk and Cheryl, Cheryl
years. I've gone on the record, targeted 246
Ohio. He said he
Harley, showed me around this house that
programs, 4,000 wasteful projects that I want
had been thinking
they are fixing to restore. So I'm just de-
to eliminate altogether. I want to use these
nd just moving out,
lighted to be here. Also pleased to welcome
savings to reduce the deficit, to reduce the
ags and all the ugly
a cross-town guest from west Dallas, Mr.
tax burden on the working men and women,
lived in Fox Hill
Artrous Hill, who for 41 years ran the barber-
and still do what's right by our neighbor-
neighborhood. And
shop on Puget Street. When the drug epi-
hoods.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(st. Louis, Missouri)
For Immediate Release
September 28, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT ST. FRANCIS DE SALES WELCOME
St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church Parish Hall
st. Louis, Missouri
10:21 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much for that kind
introduction, Chief Harmon. Let me say that I've heard a good
deal about the work of this chief and of this police force. And
I salute every man and woman who's out there in the St. Louis
police Force laying their lives on the line for us every single
day of their life. We ought to be grateful to those who wear the
uniform, and I'm certainly grateful to this group. (Applause.)
And may I salute our great Governor, John Ashcroft,
and fantastic Senator, Senator Danforth. (Applause.) It's
delightful to be in Fox Park. St. Louis, a friendly city.
(Applause.) Actually, my mother grew up here. My brother lives
here, cousin lives here. And I love that heartbeat of st. Louis.
so thank you for this welcome. (Applause.)
A word to those in this parish -- I want to
apologize to everyone who was counting on the usual Sunday Bingo
game last night. (Laughter.) I hear that the Secret Service
spoiled your fun when they had to check out the building.
(Laughter.) And I'm sorry you missed the game. It was smart,
though, to stay away. Believe me, you don't want to be jumping
up suddenly and yelling "Bingo!" around these Secret Service
guys. (Applause.)
This has all the earmarks of a political gathering,
but I really want to talk to you today about what I consider a
foremost -- a first and most basic function of government: to
protect every American citizen from violence -- at home and on
the streets.
Now, there's nothing new about that. Security is
one big reason government was created in the very first place.
But what is new are the terrible forms that violence has taken
recently -- beyond anything our founding fathers could have
imagined.
A whole generation has grown up with the threat of
nuclear terror hanging like a sword over its head. And it's been
horrible. Our kids had nightmares. It seemed like it would
never end. well, it did end. And today I can stand up here and
say something that no other President could ever say before: the
Cold War is over. Freedom finished first. (Applause.)
NOW, we must win the peace. Right here at home, in
the streets of Fox Park. In too many places our grandparents and
grandchildren lock themselves behind the bars on their windows,
afraid to come out from a jail called home. This simply must
end.
We've made progress against violent crime. We've
slowed it dramatically the past 12 years. And we're beginning
to
turn the tide on the drugs that so often fuel it. But we got
soft on crime way back in the '60s, and we paid for it. And then
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- 2 -
by the time we cracked down again in the '80s, violent crime had
gone up 400 percent in 20 years. Since we cracked down, it's
gone up just 27 percent in a little over 10 years, and the
overall crime index is actually down:
so we've stemmed the tide, in a sense -- prevented
millions of crimes. But, of course, that is simply not enough.
It's never enough. The face of crime is changing fast, and we
need our laws to react just as quickly, so that we can beat it.
Let me give you a timely example. Carjacking -- a
brand-new word for a brand-new crime. someone figured out it's
easy to steal a car when it's already running, with the keys in
the ignition. of course, the owner's behind the wheel. so the
criminal uses a gun. I want to tell you a story that literally
sickens me, as I'm sure it will you -- but describes what we're
up against.
Just a few weeks ago, in a nice neighborhood near
Baltimore, a woman was sitting in her car at a stop sign. In
broad daylight, two men forced her out of her car and drove off.
But she was tangled in the seatbelt -- trying desperately to save
her baby. The mother was dragged for almost two miles. The
thieves tried to knock her off by banging into a fence. And
tragically, she died.
And you know what they did with her little baby?
They tossed her out of the car like a piece of trash.
Miraculously, that baby survived.
And you know what? America is going to survive,
too. We cannot put up with this kind of animal behavior.
(Applause.) These people have no place in a decent society. And
as far as this President's concerned, they can go to jail, and
they can stay in jail, and they can rot in jail for crimes like
that. (Applause.)
For that to happen, we need tough laws that don't
bend over backwards protecting the criminal while saying to the
victim, "tough luck, buddy."
Let's look for a minute at the Arkansas record and
see where Governor Clinton stands. (Laughter.) The average
inmate in Arkansas served less than one-fifth of his sentence.
last year. Most federal inmates serve at least 85 percent of
their full sentence. Violent crimes in that state, in Arkansas,
went up almost 60 percent in the '80s -- over twice the national
average. Arkansas had the nation's biggest increase in overall
crime -- and the third-biggest in violent crime.
This kind of record is not right for Arkansas -- and
it is not right for America. If you don't believe me, just ask
the Fraternal Order of Police in Little Rock, Arkansas. They
know Governor Clinton's record best, and they're endorsing me for
President of the United States. (Applause.) The police know
better than anyone that we're all vulnerable: men, women,
children; white, black, brown; young, old; rich and poor. To a
bullet or a blade -- we all look just the same.
Americans deserve a government that goes after the
problem -- that prevents and punishes crime, and helps the
victims, lifts up the victims of crime. That's why I want to see
America make a move at the federal level, to step forward and
support state and local police around the country -- in real,
concrete ways. We need to help them fight.
That's why 1,201 days ago, on June 5, 1989 -- the
same day Mikhail Gorbachev first hinted that the Berlin Wall
might someday fall I sent a comprehensive crime bill to
-
June 15, 1989
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Capitol Hill. And I offered the hand of partnership to Congress
and asked it to help me fight crime on a national level.
Listen to this: Since I first sent that bill to the
Hill in 1989, here in the United States, we've had almost 60,000
murders, 260,000 rapes, 1,600,000 robberies and 2,600,000
assaults. By the way, 506 of those violent crimes took place
right here in Fox Park.
Think about that. Across America, that's enough
assault victims to fill the city of St. Louis more than six times
over. Victims brutalized while that bill languished on Capitol
Hill.
Now, I know the numbers are staggering. I know that
Americans sit down in front of their TVs at night, watch the news
and say, why doesn't somebody do something about this incredible
mess? People are dying in the streets, for heaven's sake. well,
1,201 days later, Congress still has not acted on my crime bill.
And I think if they had a glacier on Capitol Hill, they'd name it
"speedy." You ought to try and get something done there.
But frustrating as this crime bill has been for me,
it's still my job as President to get results. There are good
people on both sides of the issue, working in good faith for a
compromise. And I will not rest until this matter is settled.
This very week, we are now close to an agreement on
a bill the Congress could send me -- and I'll sign. The
compromise bill should include, for example, a workable death
penalty for horrible murders, committed by terrorists, assassins
and drug lords. It should target the shocking violence we see on
television -- the drive-by shootings and gang turf wars. This
deadly behavior deserves deadly punishment. It should include
provisions recommended by former Supreme Court Justice Powell to
short-circuit an endless process of appeals that make a mockery
of justice. (Applause.)
There are other items prompting strong feelings on
all sides, but we're making a good-faith effort to reach a
compromise.
So I want you to know what's on my crime agenda.
I'm not asking for anything but common sense and reasonable
justice, especially for women, children and the elderly victims
of crime. I think I can get some of these items this year --
then, I'll come back to get more of them next year. (Applause.)
Let me click off about eight key points here.
First, apprehend and severely punish these carjackers, like the
ones I just described. I want to make carjacking a federal
offense with harsh penalties. And I want thugs who take cars at
gunpoint to stay in a cell so long that when they get out they're
too old to drive. (Applause.)
Second -- I keep talking about strengthening the
family -- well, here's one for you: call deadbeat dads onto the
carpet. (Applause.) Right now, a single mother here in Missouri
can be struggling to keep the kids fed and clothed on her small
salary, while their father's up in Chicago somewhere, picking out
a new Chevy truck with terrycloth pom-poms and a gun rack. NOW,
he could be way behind in child support, but no one can touch him
because he's across the state lines. Well, I think that's a
disgrace, and it's about time the long arm of the law reaches out
over that state line, taps that deadbeat dad on the shoulder and
says loud and clear -- time to pay up. Cough up the cash or go
to jail. (Applause.)
And the third, strengthen the laws dealing with
sexual and domestic violence, For starters, we need to protect
the victim. It is bad enough a rape victim is attacked in the
first place. Then she takes the stand and then she gets worked
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over and attacked by the rapist's lawyers. I say that makes two
too many attacks.
And I want repeat sex and domestic-violence
offenders behind bars until trial. Today, even a repeat offender
can get arrested, be out on bond hours later, stalking his next
victim or beating his wife and kids for turning him in. I want
him detained until trial, and I want the prosecution to be able
to use past convictions against him. (Applause.)
Any law enforcement officer knows this, but right
now, certain details can't even be mentioned in court. so-
called little details -- like the fact that everyone and their
dog within a country mile knows the guy acts this way pretty
regularly. And that's wrong. Let him pay for what he's done.
Fourth, crack down on gang violence. I want gangs
to be treated like the criminal enterprises they are. That way,
we can go after the leaders, and we can deal harshly with them,
and we can untie the hands of good cops so they can clean up
decent neighborhoods. I also want to toughen the penalties for
using juveniles in crimes. Some of the gangs right now can send
under-age kids out to do their dirty work because they' re minors
and they'll get off if they're caught. And I think the older
gang members should be punished harshly for treating these little
kids like bullet fodder. (Applause.)
Fifth, protection for the elderly. It is absurd
that the folks who have contributed to this society all through
their lives have to live in terror when they re old and frail
just because some young punks see them as an easy target.
They're as low as the thugs who pick on children. And I want to
beef up the laws that put these thugs behind bars. (Applause.)
Sixth, the habeas corpus reform. Habeas corpus is
supposed to protect the innocent, but it's turned into a
ridiculous perversion of the law. Can you believe that a lot of
these petitions drag on for more than a decade? Criminal lawyers
use it to postpone justice. A guilty verdict can mean seemingly
endless appeals that choke our courts and delay justice. It's
about time we put a stop to this travesty. Let them have one
habeas corpus petition and be done with it. (Applause.) And
that's what I'm trying to do in that crime bill right now.
(Applause.)
And the seventh, a federal death penalty. I think
certain acts of violence deserve the ultimate penalty. I'm
talking about assassinations, murder for hire, terrorism and
other depraved acts. And add to that the new urban violence we
see with gangs. Drive-by shootings, random violence, gang
massacres -- these people are merchants of death, who trade in
death. And the death penalty is warranted in these cases. And I
wish Congress would move and do about it. (Applause.)
And eighth -- and this one's short -- firearms. I
want much tougher penalties for criminal use of firearms, period.
(Applause.) Tighten up the law and take the risk away from these
law enforcement officers. (Applause.)
NOW, I'm not saying that tougher laws are going to
fix absolutely everything. I'm a firm believer in justice, but I
think punishment is only part of the solution. And the other
part has a more human face. Tomorrow's criminals are still just
kids today. And while I believe in resources for law enforcement
and in reform for law enforcement, I also believe that at some
point early in life, a youngster at a critical juncture can be
steered to a life of right or a life of terrible wrong. And it
all depends on the kind of soil you plant these kids in and how
you nourish them
I just had a wonderful briefing upstairs by the
Chief and some of our community leaders, including the Pastor of
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this church, and what impressed me is what the community is doing
to help these kids before they get caught up in this wave of
criminality.
All of this is why I believe that our Weed and Seed
program -- the federal program -- is so very crucial. Weed and
Seed that means going into a rough neighborhood, eradicating
the "weeds" of violent crime that can choke a young life, and
replacing them with "seeds" of social opportunity and reform.
And that's what Operation Crackdown in st. Louis is all about:
the federal government, working with local law enforcement,
reclaiming crack houses and giving them back to the community.
And that's what your -- the Chief talked about COPS
program, here in Fox Park, is all about, too, on a local level.
Real people making real changes in your own neighborhood.
You know, just the other day, only a few blocks from
here, police officers raided a crack house on Ohio Avenue. And
as those officers came out of the house with those drug dealers
handcuffed, the neighbors -- maybe some of you all were there --
came out to their porches and gave those police a standing
ovation and a cheer. And that's what this country is hungry for.
Americans want to take crime out of their neighborhoods and put
the neighbors back. And we've got to weed the poison growth from
the soil, and in its place, plant the seeds of hope. (Applause.)
I know there's a craving. I know you just want to
be able to walk down to Worth's Market, or down to Fox Park here
for a stroll, or over to Bartlett's Grocery Store for a
newspaper, or Mary's Restaurant for a cup of coffee even if she
is a Democrat -- (laughter) -- and you want to do it knowing
you're safe in your own neighborhood, that you've helped build
and kept alive.
I think John Mirgaux said it best. He lives in this
neighborhood and knows about that old crack house over on Ohio.
And he said he and his wife, Eleanor, had been thinking about
selling their house and just moving out -- moving away from the
drugs and all the ugly crime. But you know, he's lived in Fox
Hill his whole life. It's his neighborhood. And after the raid,
he and Eleanor did some thinking. And he put it this way. He
said, "You know, I've been waiting for this to happen. Now we're
going to make a stand."
Please join us -- join John and Eleanor and Ohio
Avenue and Fox Park and St. Louis and Missouri and this whole
United states -- and make a stand against crime today, because
the people deserve it.
Thank you all SO very much for listening.
(Applause.) And may God bless -- (applause) -- may God bless Fox
Park, Missouri. And God bless the United states of America.
Thank you all very, very much. (Applause.)
END
10:44 A.M. CDT