THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release August 16, 1994

STATEMENT BY LEON PANETTA, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF

The President had a productive meeting tonight with the 11 Republicans who courageously supported the Crime Bill last Thursday. The Members of Congress reaffirmed their commitment to swift passage of the Crime Bill.

The President once again made clear his non-negotiable commitment to the following elements of the Crime Bill:

100,000 new police officers on the street;

A ban on deadly assault weapons;

     Tough punishments for violent criminals, including three-
     strikes-you're-out, truth-in-sentencing, and funding to help 
     states build more prisons; and

     Effective prevention programs to give young people something 
     to say yes to.

     The President also made it clear that he would not accept 

massive cuts in the prevention programs the law enforcement community believes are so necessary to help young people avoid a life of crime in the first place.

The President will meet with the Congressional Black Caucus tomorrow, as part of his ongoing dialogue with all Members of Congress who are interested in passing the Crime Bill.

We're confident that the Crime Bill will be supported by Members of both parties, and will pass both chambers of Congress quickly.

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