E 938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 3, 1995

division, where he served for more than 11

years, the Nursing Home Abuse Section and

the Special Investigations Division. In August

1993, Ed was appointed acting head deputy of

the newly formed Workers’ Compensation

Fraud Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Ed recently supplanted his busy professional life with his role as chair of the Governmental Relations Steering Committee, which

assists UCLA by providing alumni support for

issues coming before Federal, State, and local

elected officials. UCLA was lucky to have him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me

in saluting Ed Feldman, a public servant who

works tirelessly to promote social justice. He is

a shining example to us all.

RECOGNITION OF COLUMBUS

COUNCIL NO. 126

f

HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

recognize Columbus Council No. 126 on the

occasion of its centennial anniversary of Friday, May 26, 1995. Having attended many of

their events over the years, I know first hand

the important work this organization does for

the community.

I have often said that seniors are the backbone of our community. When I think of who

is active in bringing seniors together to socialize and organize on the pressing issues of the

day, I think of the members of Columbus

Council No. 126. It is no surprise to me that

they have had 100 years of success; we have

all benefited from their commitment to charity,

unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

I would like to personally thank the members and leadership of Columbus Council No.

126 for their dedication to service. I know my

colleagues in the House of Representatives

will join me in wishing this community organization another 100 years of success.

PREVENTING TERRORISM

fHON. LEE H. HAMILTON OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mr. HAMILTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I

would like to insert my Washington Report for

Wednesday, May 3, 1995 into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.

PREVENTING TERRORISM

All of us are filled with deep sorrow and

anger over the terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City. This brutal tragedy is particularly frightening because it brought terrorism to the nation’s heartland.

At the same time, it is inspiring to see the

valiant rescue workers and united community spirit as Americans from across the

country assist in relief efforts. No country is

stronger or more open-hearted in times of

crisis. We should also be proud of the remarkable speed of law enforcement officers

in arresting suspects and tracing the origins

of the crime.

The consequences of these events will be

with us for many years. Not least is that the

personal insecurity Americans have felt

from random violence and crime will now be

increased. Americans are worried about terrorism, but much more worried that it could

hit close to them.

Unfortunately, terrorism cannot be

stopped simply by catching criminals after a

bomb explodes. We must reexamine and intensify our efforts to prevent terrorism.

Immediate Action: There is widespread

consensus in Congress to take swift action to

give the government enhanced powers to

fight terrorism. Congress will quickly pass

counterterrorism legislation. It is expected

to include:

Law Enforcement: A central

counterterrorist task force will be created to

coordinate the efforts of different agencies.

The President has requested 1,000 additional

agents and prosecutors for this effort, which

will be focused more on intelligence and prevention than law enforcement.

Criminal Punishment: The Oklahoma City

terrorists will be tried under the federal

death penalty for terrorist acts, a new provision from last year’s crime bill. Terrorist

acts include any act of mass destruction that

results in death and all attacks on federal

property. New legislation will increase

criminal penalties and prohibit probation or

reduced sentences for terrorist acts or attempted terrorist acts.

Explosives: Congress will consider measures to make chemicals—such as those used

in Oklahoma City—less volatile, easier to

trace, and more difficult to obtain in large

quantities.

State-sponsored Terrorism: While the

Oklahoma City bombing appears to be domestic in origin, we must also increase our

efforts against terrorism sponsored by other

nations. In the past, terrorist actions connected to Libya, Iraq, and other countries

have been met with strict economic sanctions, military force, and political isolation.

Nuclear Materials: Counterterrorism legislation will place additional restrictions on

the transfer of nuclear materials. The Oklahoma City bombing reinforces the need for

strong measures to prevent terrorists from

obtaining nuclear technology.

Other: Congress is also expected to, at significant additional cost, enhance security at

federal buildings, airports, and ports;

strengthen the ability of the government to

deport aliens who are connected with terrorist activities; make it easier to use military

expertise to investigate terrorist incidents;

accelerate research on high-technology surveillance; give broader FBI access to credit

card, travel, and phone records of suspected

terrorists; freeze U.S. assets of radical foreign groups or individuals that seek political

ends through violence; and give the FBI

more latitude in eavesdropping—a court surveillance order would still be required, but

there would be more flexibility once an order

was issued.

The challenge is to protect our civil liberties while also protecting the people. I

think it is important to uphold the requirement that law enforcement officials have a

reasonable indication of criminal activity

before a judge approves surveillance orders.

Without such as requirement, it is easy to

foresee abuse in monitoring law-abiding

groups.

Rhetoric: For a long time I have been concerned about the consequences of virulent

political rhetoric. Any public figure today is

aware of the mounting anger against government, and it is legitimate to criticize the

government for its failings and to offer productive solutions. It is certainly unfair to

draw a direct line from rhetoric to acts of violence, and we should resist broad-based and

unspecified blame. But it is also true that

words have consequences. Sweeping, unfounded denunciations in a democracy are

not healthy, from any political viewpoint. In

Oklahoma, anti-government extremists attacked the government. Last week in California, an environmental zealot killed a timber industry executive. We should come out

on the side of free speech, but we should also

understand that extreme rhetoric, characterizing politics as warfare and political opponents as demons, creates an environment in

which unstable persons can be encouraged to

commit violent acts.

I think we need a period of toned-down

rhetoric. When individuals of any political

persuasion exploit or encourage hatred, it divides the country and contributes to the

cynicism Americans feel about politics.

Root Causes: The only long-term solution

for terrorism is to rise above these divisions

and address the political grievances which

provoke it. We must try to understand what

causes such violent anger, as well as what

can be done about it. Progress requires a serious assessment of the successes and failures of government. We need to both

confront pressing problems, such as government excesses, job insecurity, and family

breakdown, as well as try to clear up gross

misperceptions about what government is

doing. It is impossible to read some of the

claims of various underground groups without recognizing we have a long way to go in

understanding the politics of hate.

Conclusion: The long-term impact of the

Oklahoma City bombing is uncertain. It may

lead to similar incidents, but it may also

lead to a more positive assessment of the

role of government in society, and more respect for those who serve us. We may even

see a renewed emphasis on family and community in our daily lives. I am hopeful for a

shift away from confrontation and destructive criticism toward broad, productive cooperation in solving our nation’s problems.

STATEMENT HONORING GRACE

AZZOLINA SCADUTO

f

HON. MARGE ROUKEMA OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Grace Azzolina Scaduto on being

named ‘‘Woman of the Year’’ by the New Jersey Federation of Republican Women.

This important honor will be bestowed on

Mrs. Scaduto at the Federation’s 65th annual

convention, held May 5–6 in Atlantic City. The

Federation is the oldest women’s organization

in New Jersey and Mrs. Scaduto is its outgoing president.

I can think of no one more deserving of this

honor. Mrs. Scaduto is a wonderful person

who is deeply dedicated to her family and to

her party. She has applied her belief in the opportunities and responsibilities of being an

American citize with conviction, helping others

exercise their rights of citizenship. It is reassuring to see someone with this degree of

commitment to our system of democracy, especially at a time when there are many whose

opinion range from apathy to a belief that

Government doesn’t work.

Mrs. Scaduto, a well-known business executive, is secretary-treasurer of Food Circus Supermarkets Inc., a 12-store chain that she

joined in 1953. She supervised the front-end

of the supermarket operation in its formative

years and helped formulate company policy

and training manuals. She was previously