[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1649-E1650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

POLICE BRUTALITY; PROSTITUTION

______

HON. BERNARD SANDERS

of vermont

in the house of representatives

Monday, July 26, 1999

Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have printed in the Record
statements by high school students from my home State of Vermont, who
were speaking at my recent town meeting on issues facing young people
today. I am asking that you please insert these statements in the
Congressional Record as I believe that the views of these young persons
will benefit my colleagues.

Police Brutality

(On behalf of Chris Callahan, Ingrid O'Reilly, Chris Lancaster, Reah
Greico and Andy Weber)

Ingrid O'Reilly: To serve, honor and protect. It's a phrase
that is supposed to be a representation of police forces all
over America. They serve the American people, but do they
really honor and protect them? By definition, honor means to
regard or to treat with respect. But it seems that the police
officers that harassed Officer Aaron Campbell of Florida were
not respecting him, never mind honoring him.
Then there is the question of protect. Americans depend on
officers in the time of danger, but for Amadou Diallo, he
lost his life when four New York City officers emptied their
entire rounds on him because he looked suspicious. Is our law
enforcement system covered by a blue curtain and our officers
put on a pedestal, or is the law enforcement just getting a
bad reputation for a few mistakes?
Chris Callahan: Aaron Campbell, a 26-year veteran of the
Miami Dade Police Department, was pulled over and charged
with a traffic violation. Campbell didn't believe that he was
pulled over because of any traffic violation, but was a
victim of racial profiling. Campbell resisted arrest, and
later was accused of assaulting a police officer.
Campbell was successful in convincing the jury that racial
profiling is an everyday occurrence. He was later acquitted
of all charges, except for resisting arrest. The fact that
Campbell was a police officer helped his case significantly.
Imagine the victims who are not professionally affiliated
with the legal system, and the difficulty that they have
proving their innocence.
Reah Greico: On February 4, 1999, Amadou Diallo, a 22-year-
old African immigrant, was shot and killed by four white
policemen. Officers pleaded not guilty to the murder,
believing that Diallo looked like a sketch of a serial
rapist, and that he was reaching for a gun. The four officers
were indicted for second-degree murder.
While the murder of Amadou Diallo is not believed to have
been an intentional case of police brutality, it shows how
susceptible minorities are to police prejudices and
brutalities.
Andy Weber: Since police enforcement began, there has
always been some form of brutality or misuse of power. While
there is no one solution to end brutality, many organizations
and plans have been adopted to control this problem. Many
precincts are waging heavier fines, longer suspensions, and
even dismissals for officers convicted of brutality.
However, these actions should not even be happening.
Therefore, many ideas have brought forth on how to prevent
the brutality. The most popular of these ideas is community
policing. Recently, the Los Angeles Police Department
instituted a community policing program, which a report
explains by the following: The catalyst for moving the
department away from the faceless militaristic organization,
toward a 21st century model that is more compatible and
interactive with local communities.
Lastly, one of the most important ways to end police
brutality is the destruction of the blue curtain. Though this
is the easiest solution, it is also the hardest to actually
carry out.
Chris Lancaster: Both brutality and corruption among law
enforcement agencies have always been problems. Fortunately,
today, it has been acknowledged that these problems exist,
and this is the first step towards any possible resolution.
These are problems that cannot be solved by any one policy or
program, and programs such as the Los Angeles Community
Policing Program are simply the beginning.
As for the blue curtain, it is time to realize that, while
such a code may strengthen the bonds and camaraderie among
police officers, it is no excuse to withhold the truth.
Taking a definitive stance on eliminating the blue curtain
will end a large percentage of corruption among police, and
will lead to a more productive, constructive relationship
between the police and the public.
Congressman Sanders: Good job.

____
Prostitution

(On behalf of Lynn Clough, Angela DeBlasio, Kayla Gildersleeve and Tess
Grossi)

Lynn Clough: Prostitution is a major concern and a policy
issue for many countries, including the United States.
Prostitution is defined as a relatively indiscriminate
sexually exchange made for material gain. Persons prostitute
themselves when they grant sexual access for money, gifts or
other forms of payment, and in doing so, use their bodies as
a commodity. In legal terms, the world ``prostitute'' refers
only to those who engage frequently and overtly in such
sexual economic exchanges.
Prostitution is now illegal for most of the United States.
Prostitution is wrong. It spreads deadly diseases such as
AIDS, promotes violence and cruelty, and minorities are
involved for the easy way out. The violence is terrible and
inhumane, but the prostitutes have to deal with it.
Currently, if a prostitute is murdered, the police wouldn't
make a big priority of it, but it really needs to be.
The government has to realize that prostitution is still
happening and is not going to ever stop. Wise governments
will accept that paid sex is ineradicable and concentrate on
keeping the business clean, safe and inconspicuous.
Prostitution is not going to go away and it needs to be taken
care of.
Angela DeBlasio: Many people know that prostitution is
illegal, but they find that they have sexual needs. They know
they can't get a prostitute, so they try and pick up fellow
workers, which brings up sexual harassment. The United States
holds a huge sexual harassment problem. Sexual harassment is
one of the fastest expanding areas of American law.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which handles
sexual harassment complaints, in 1991 handled over 6,000
cases, and in 1997 close to 16,000. If prostitution was legal
and open for business, would there be any reason for sexual
harassment cases?
Kayla Gildersleeve: One would wonder, if prostitution is
going on anyway, why legalize it? The answer is simple. If
prostitution is legalized, then the government would be in
charge, and there would be great protection from diseases and
violence. Also, there

[[Page E1650]]

wouldn't be any unprotected prostitutes on the streets, and
they would get paid, not the pimps.
Tess Grossi: Prostitution has been a part of life
throughout history, and what would make the government think
that making it illegal will stop it? The sex industry is
exposed to many of the forces that normal businesses must
contend with, but will it ever become a normal and respected
part of society? History suggests that it might. Throughout
history, there have been all forms of prostitution, including
legal prostitution.
Again, prostitution causes deadly diseases to spread more
rapidly, and there is great violence and inhumanity involved.
All of these problems can be eradicated if the government
would legalize it. The government is the only answer to
solving the problem. Prostitution will never go away.
Therefore, the government should legalize prostitution.
Lynn Clough: The people and the prostitutes are afraid to
go to the government for help, and so the government needs to
go to them.
Thank you.

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