Speech #1040015248

I also note and welcome recent statements by the administration claiming that it too is now taking the terrorism issue seriously. After finding no need for my legislation last Congress. on January 20. 1995. the Secretary of State gave a speech at Harvard University in which he announced that the administration was going to strengthen its efforts against international terrorism. He specifically stated. "we will toughen standards for obtaining visas for international criminals to gain entry to this country." I hope this means that the administration is finally willing to support legislation needed to accomplish this goal. The urgency of passing the Terrorist Exclusion Act comes from the sad truth that every day American lives continue to be put at risk out of deference to some imagined first amendment rights of foreign terrorists. This is an extreme misinterpretation of our cherished Bill of Rights. which the founders of our great Nation intended to protect the liberties of all Americans. In my reading of the U.S.