Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act of 2005

GANG DETERRENCE AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - May 11, 2005)

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Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this bill, which offers no solution to our Nation's gang violence problem, and in support of the Waters-Scott amendment which strikes the mandatory sentences provisions.

Clearly, in many neighborhoods throughout our country, we have a gang violence problem. Yet dramatically increasing prison terms and failing to fund proven strategies to reduce youth violence is exactly what H.R. 1279 does.

Violence in gangs is a critical problem, persistent among low-income and minority communities. Today we see that 95 percent of the largest cities and 88 percent of the smaller cities are confronted with gang-related crimes. More and more younger kids are joining gangs. But no value of hope is given to these children seeking a way out of the gang activity. We must face this reality, rather than hide from it.

It seems to me that the only solution being offered by this legislation to our juveniles involved in gangs is locking them into a life path where there is no way out. Whatever happened to gang prevention programs, to the funding desperately needed for delinquency and intervention programs?

If we want to deter gang violence and protect our communities, we need to focus on effective and comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of youth violence, not simply punitive actions.

Mr. Chairman, passing this bill will do nothing to stem the tide of gang violence throughout this country. What this bill will do is worsen our youth's violent behavior by enslaving our youngsters into prison as an answer to one of this Nation's most critical problems, and that is no solution at all. I urge my colleagues to support the Waters-Scott amendment and to oppose the underlying bill.

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