[Page H2358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 CRIME

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, according to the Department of 
Justice, one person is assaulted in the United States every 7.2 
seconds, raped every 2.7 minutes and murdered every 31 minutes. That 
means that in the last hour, 500 Americans will have been assaulted, 22 
raped and 2 murdered. Congress can and must do more to protect American 
families and keep our communities safe.
  In this Congress, Republicans have introduced over 100 bills to help 
Federal, State and local law enforcement officials combat crime. To 
date, though, only three have been considered.
  As we recognize National Crime Victims' Rights Week, Congress should 
do more than just honor the victims. Let's help law enforcement 
officials shield an innocent person from assault, protect a woman from 
rape and save a life.

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