House Journal: Page 58: Tuesday, January 14, 1997

Every time we read or hear about violent crime, we should be
outraged.  When an innocent Iowan is struck down, stolen from,
or has their life disrupted by crime, we are all victims.
Seated in the gallery today are many Iowans affected by crime. 
Two families among them played a key role in the program I am
submitting this year.  The Hallengrens of Adel lost their
daughter and a good friend to a drunk driver last April and
approached me with many of the components of the bold anti-drunk
driving program I am offering.  The Sturdys of Fontanelle had a
daughter murdered in a domestic violence situation many years
ago and fought for over a decade to get restitution from the
murderer.  My automatic restitution proposal is a result of
their efforts. 
These families and others have had the courage to stand up and
speak out about a system which puts the rights of criminals
ahead of the rights of victims.  Today, I salute all victims who
have the strength to stand up, speak out, and work for change.
We Iowans, known for our compassion and common sense, and being
driven by disdain for violence, must act boldly.  We must stand
up for the rights of victims of crime.  We must stand up to the
criminals.  Those who break our laws will pay for their actions.
The victims of crime will no longer be the forgotten ones in our
criminal justice system.  A thirty year era of permissiveness
must end.
I am recommending we adopt a Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to
our state constitution.  Twenty-nine other states already
provide this kind of constitutional protection for victims and
it's time Iowa does as well.
We are adding 2,250 beds to our state prison system and now it's
time to put the prisoners to work.  Making prisoners work can
increase their skills, reduce the recidivism rate, and make it
possible for them to pay restitution to their victims and at
least part of the cost of their imprisonment.
A vast majority of Iowans join me today in asking you to restore
the death penalty.  We need it to protect the innocent victims
of rape and kidnapping from being murdered.  It should also be
available as a weapon to be used against the most violent
prisoners who kill correctional officers or others.  
If we are to be successful at reducing crime, one issue in
particular must be addressed:  juvenile crime.
One of the great mistakes that has been made in public policy
over the last 30 years is that a shroud of secrecy has been
created to protect juveniles from the consequences of their
actions.  We should allow full public access to information on
juvenile crime and let them face the public scrutiny their
actions deserve.
I am recommending we establish penalties for underage gambling
and increase the penalties for underage drinking.  The budget I
am presenting also includes a 20 percent increase in funding for
the successful and innovative treatment efforts already underway
in Iowa communities.
Several weeks ago, I visited Lucas Elementary School, just east
of the Capitol in one of Des Moines' inner city neighborhoods,
to announce an ambitious prevention effort we will be
undertaking this year.  Iowa is blessed with thousands of
retirees who regularly volunteer in their communities.  There is
no better way to help at-risk children than to provide for them
caring, committed adult mentors who will encourage them to stay
in school and succeed.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: House Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1997 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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