Al Gore Accomplishments (Detailed List Cont.)
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Part XII: Children and Families
AL AND TIPPER GORE LED ANNUAL CONFERENCES TO PROMOTE STRONG FAMILIES
Al and Tipper Gore Have Led Family Re-Union Conferences to Revolutionize Family Policy. Al and Tipper Gore have led Family Re-Union Conferences every year since 1992. These conferences have brought federal, state and local policy makers together with families and issue experts to discuss the issues confronting working families and to develop innovative partnerships and policies to address them. The conferences have encouraged important and innovative steps to help meet the needs of and strengthen American families.
Al and Tipper Gore Helped Promote Important Family Issues. The first Family Re-Union was designed so that federal, state and local leaders could listen carefully to families describing how programs and policies affected them, and the second Family Re-Union focused on creating family-friendly public policies. Subsequent Family Re-Unions addressed the role of men in their children's lives, the impact of the media on families, families and work, family participation in learning, family-centered health and long term care, and families and communities.
GORE WORKED TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM TV VIOLENCE
Gore Worked with Industry Leaders to Achieve a TV Rating System. Al Gore led the administration's efforts to forge a voluntary TV ratings system with the major networks, as outlined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The plan went into effect on October 1, 1997 and includes a system of content labels warning of violence, sex, offensive language and sexual dialogue to complement an earlier age-based system. The ratings work in conjunction with the V-chip to further empower parents to control what their children watch. One year after the system was created, over half of the parents surveyed in one study stated that they used it.
Gore Worked With the TV Industry to Encourage Educational Programming. In 1996, Al Gore worked with the television industry to encourage increased educational programming. The agreement that Gore helped achieve has made it easier for broadcasters to receive license renewals if they produce or air three hours of educational programming each week.
Gore Spoke Out Against the Entertainment Industry On Violence in the Media. In 1998, Al Gore participated in a news conference highlighting a study of the television ratings system that he helped negotiate with the entertainment industry. At the conference, Gore "…blasted the TV industry for indulgence in violence, citing the exposure of the average child to 20,000 fictional TV murders by the end of high school." In 1996, Al Gore spoke about violence in the media during a speech to nearly 500 entertainment industry leaders. He argued, "Too much violent programming continues to reach our children…. And I believe we should speak out against it."
Gore Strongly Supported V-Chip Technology to Provide Families with Tools to Protect Children. Al Gore has supported V-chip technology to assist parents in controlling what their children watch on TV. Gore led the administration's efforts to pass the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which included a provision mandating the inclusion of the V-chip in new television sets.
Gore Led a Family Re-Union Conference on the Family and Media. Al and Tipper Gore led a Family Re-Union Conference on the positive and negative roles that media plays in the lives of children and their families. Bringing together over 800 families, industry leaders, educators, psychologists and experts in technology, the conference broadened the options for families concerned about the impact of media. At the conference, the Gores drew attention to the prevalence of violence in the media and promoted use of the V-Chip.
The Conference Led to the Development of Website on The Effect of the Media. The National Institute on Media and Family, inspired by the conference, was founded in Minnesota and has become an internationally recognized resource on this issue. As a national resource for research, education and information about the impact of the media on children and families, the Institute offers a number of unique tools and resources for parents and teachers.
GORE PROMOTED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AMERICANS
Gore and the Administration Increased Funding for Head Start. Since 1993, Al Gore and the Administration have nearly doubled funding for Head Start - increasing funding by 90 percent since 1993. Nearly 900,000 children are in Head Start today, and the Administration's fiscal year 2001 budget builds upon this effort by increasing Head Start funding by $1 billion - the largest funding increase ever proposed for the program.
Administration Has Shifted the Focus of Head Start to School Readiness and Family Literacy. In 1998, Al Gore and the Administration enacted bipartisan legislation to focus Head Start on school readiness and family literacy. This legislation includes revised standards for Head Start programs to emphasize getting children ready to learn how to read. According to a Boston Globe editorial, "Head Start is a proven success."
Gore and the Administration Have Helped Low-Income Families Afford Child Care. Al Gore and the Administration have fought for expansions in the Child Care and Development Block Grant program in order to help low-income families access quality child care. The Administration's fiscal year 2001 budget calls for an $817 million increase in the program. These new funds, in conjunction with child care funds provided in welfare reform, will allow the program to help over 2.2 million children obtain child care - an increase of 120 percent over the one million children the program supported in 1997.
Gore and the Administration Made the Largest Single Investment in Higher Education in 30 Years. Al Gore and the Administration proposed and won funding for the HOPE scholarship tax credit program as part of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. HOPE scholarships assist nearly 7 million students by providing a $1,500 tax credit to help make the first two years of college universally accessible for all Americans. The 1997 Act included other tax deductions that collectively made it the largest single investment in education in 30 years.
Gore Led a Conference on Family Involvement in Education and Life-Long Learning. Al and Tipper Gore led the 1997 Family Re-Union Conference on parental involvement in child education and life-long learning to showcase remarkable examples of family/school partnerships that are transforming children's learning, parents' lives, and family job prospects.
Gore Announced New Technologies to Promote Family Involvement in Education. At the conference, Gore announced a new technology developed by Silicon Valley, in conjunction with educators, that will allow parents to be more active participants in children's education. Gore announced that AT&T had committed $15 million to further develop the technology that, for example, would allow parents to view children's grades through the Internet or television.
Gore Promoted the Partnership to Expand Family Involvement in Education. The conference highlighted the need for greater parental involvement in education and led to the development of the Partnership to Expand Family Involvement in Education. The Partnership, spearheaded by a number of leading graduate schools of education and the U.S. Department of Education, would combine the most innovative ideas of a broad range of organizations to promote parental involvement in education.
GORE FOUGHT FOR HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Gore Fought for the Family and Medical Leave Act. Al Gore has been a strong advocate for the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Act provides workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new baby or sick relative and became law under the Clinton-Gore Administration. As a Senator, Gore co-sponsored an early version of the Act in 1987. Gore currently supports efforts to expand the Act so workers can take time off work for family activities including parent-teacher conferences.
Gore and the Administration Made the Largest Investment in Children's Health Care Since 1965. Al Gore and the Administration have worked to provide health insurance to millions of children who need it. As of September 1999, nearly 2 million children were covered by the Administration's Children's Health Insurance Program - which now includes programs approved in 56 states and territories. This program will cover up to 5 million children throughout the United States.
Gore Promoted Efforts to Target and Enroll Uninsured Children in Health Care Coverage. Al Gore announced new federal efforts to sign up uninsured children who are eligible but not enrolled in health insurance programs. The initiative encourages states to partner school lunch programs with efforts to educate families in low-income housing programs about health insurance.
Gore Worked to Protect Infants from Malnutrition. In 1980, after conducting hearings on the quality of infant formula, Al Gore cosponsored and helped pass legislation to improve its nutrition standards. The legislation also established safety standards for formula in order to protect children from nutritional deficiencies.
Gore and the Administration Have Increased Childhood Immunizations. In 1993, the Administration called for a Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that all children are immunized against disease. The result has been some of the highest immunization rates ever - 90 percent of toddlers received the most critical doses of each of the routinely recommended vaccines in 1996, 1997 and 1998; and childhood immunization coverage rates in 1998 were the highest ever recorded.
Gore Led a Conference to Promote Family-Centered Health and Medical Care. Al and Tipper Gore led a Family Re-Union conference on methods to promote increased family involvement in health care. The conference convened leaders in family centered care, mental health, public health, and managed care as well as families and physicians, and topics of discussion ranged from family involvement in the care of individuals who are chronically ill to efforts to insure children who lack basic health coverage.
Gore Promoted "Insure Kids Now" to Cover Uninsured Children. Al Gore and the Administration built on their efforts to insure eligible but uninsured children by launching the "Insure Kids Now" website with the toll free number 1-877-KIDS-NOW. This website and number provide information on each state's health insurance programs for children.
Gore Announced a new Medicare Alliance to Promote Family-Centered Care. Al Gore announced the creation of a nation-wide public/private Medicare alliance of over 80 national organizations to help families understand new coverage options, preventive benefits, and consumer protections.
Gore and the Administration Have Fought for Long Term Care Needs. In January, Al Gore and the Administration announced a proposal to invest $28 billion over 10 years to support families with long-term care needs. This proposal would provide these families with with a $3,000 tax credit, establish a Family Caregivers Program, and improve Medicaid eligibility for home- and community-based care. The proposal also encouraged partnerships between low-income housing for the elderly and Medicaid to promote home-based long term care. Finally, the proposal called on the government to offer high quality long-term care insurance to federal employees as a model for the private sector.
Gore and the Administration Fought to Restore Funding for Hospitals and Nursing Homes. In 1997, Gore favored immediately rewriting the 1997 Balanced Budget Act to ensure that hospitals and nursing homes get the reimbursements they need. In 1999, Gore and the Administration fought for and won $16 billion over 5 years. Gore announced that over $2.7 billion during 5 years would go to nursing homes and that caps on therapy services would be lifted.
GORE AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE FOUGHT TO REDUCE POVERTY
Gore and the Administration Have Worked to Reduce Poverty to Its Lowest Rate in Two Decades. Al Gore and the Administration have prioritized responsible economic leadership while working to ensure all American's share in the nation's prosperity. The poverty rate, 15.1 percent in 1993, was brought down to 12.7 percent in 1998 - the lowest rate since 1979.
Poverty Rates in Minority Communities Have Dropped Significantly. The African-American poverty rate has dropped from 33.1% in 1993 to 26.1% in 1998 - a drop of over 21% and the largest five-year drop in more than a quarter century. The Hispanic poverty rate, at 25.6% in 1998, is at its lowest level since 1979.
Child Poverty Has Dropped to Its Lowest Level in 20 Years. The child poverty rate has declined from 22.7% in 1993 to 18.9% in 1998 - a 16.7% drop and the largest five year reduction in child poverty on record. Furthermore, fewer children are experiencing food insecurity and hunger. In fact, the number of children living in households that experience food insecurity fell by 17% over the same time period.
Gore Cast the Tie-Breaking Vote for Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Al Gore cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the Administration's 1993 Economic Plan which doubled the Earned Income Tax Credit.
EITC Expansion Credited with Dramatically Reducing Child Poverty. The Earned Income Tax Credit "dramatically reduces child poverty," according to the Council of Economic Advisors. In 1997 alone, the EITC was responsible for reducing the number of children living in poverty by 2.2 million. In fact, more than half of the decline in child poverty between 1993 and 1997 can be "explained by taxes, most importantly the EITC," according to the Council of Economic Advisors.
Gore Fought For and Helped Win An Increase in the Minimum Wage. Al Gore and the Administration fought for and won an increase in the minimum wage - the first minimum wage increase in 5 years. The legislation increased the minimum wage, in two steps, from $4.25 an hour to $5.15 - more than a 21% increase. The Council of Economic Advisors noted that the minimum wage increase, in combination with the EITC expansion, accounted for a 26% increase in the income, adjusted for inflation, of a family with two children and one earner who worked full-time at the minimum wage.
GORE WORKED TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
Gore Promoted Responsible Fatherhood at the Family Resource Coalition National Conference. In 1996, Al Gore spoke to the Family Resource Coalition National Conference, where he said it is wrong to think of "deadbeat dads" as only those who do not meet their financial obligations to their children. "There are emotional deadbeat dads who are behind in their payments of love and devotion and emotional support," Gore said.
Gore Led a Family Reunion Conference on the Role of Fathers in the Family. In 1994, Al and Tipper Gore led a Family Reunion Conference that emphasized the important role that fathers play in the family. "We must work to change our culture to make possible the involvement of men in the lives of their children," Gore said at the conference.
Gore Led Efforts to Implement the Presidential Memorandum Promoting Fatherhood. This Family Re-Union conference on fatherhood resulted in a Presidential Memorandum directing all federal agencies to revise programs, policies, research, and personnel practices so that they proactively strengthen fatherhood wherever appropriate. Al Gore chaired a May 1995 conference of federal workers to review the progress of this memorandum.
Gore Promoted the National Practitioner's Network for Fathers and Families. National Practitioner's Network for Fathers and Families grew out of the conference to encourage father involvement in fragile families and to support communication among father-focused programs. One component of the network, FatherNet, was established as an on-line resource on "the importance of fathers, fathering and how fathers can be good parents and parent educators."
Gore and the Administration Have Worked to Improve Child Support Collections by 80%. Al Gore and the Administration have led the toughest child support crackdown in history, resulting in an 80 percent increase in child support collections. In 1998, child support collections reached a record $14.3 billion, an increase of more than $6 billion since 1992. The number of families receiving child support has increased from 2.8 million in 1992 to 4.2 million in 1997.
Gore and the Administration Cracked Down on Deadbeat Dads. In 1996, Al Gore and the Administration issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to deny federal loans to deadbeat parents. The order also required the agencies to streamline the system by which federal payments to those who owe child support are garnished.
Gore Cosponsored Mandatory Wage Withholding for Deadbeat Parents. In 1983, then-Rep. Al Gore cosponsored the National Child Support Enforcement Act. The Act sought to improve child support collection by requiring each state to develop, implement and enforce a system of mandatory wage withholding for the collection of child support payments.
GORE PROMOTED ADOPTION AND WORKED FOR SAFE, EFFECTIVE FOSTER CARE
Gore and the Administration Enacted the Landmark Adoption and Safe Families Act. Al Gore and the Administration supported and signed the Landmark Adoption and Safe Families Act, under which 36,000 foster care children were adopted in 1998 - up from 28,000 in 1996. This 29% increase in adoption represents the first significant increase in adoption since the national foster care program was established almost 20 years ago.
Gore and the Administration Provided Education, Housing and Job Training for Foster Children. Gore and the Administration supported and put into effect the Foster Care Independence Act, which ensured that young people leaving foster care get better educational opportunities, training, housing assistance, counseling, access to health care and other services.
Gore Cosponsored Legislation to Promote Adoption While in the U.S. Senate. In 1989, Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Fairness for Adopting Families Act. This Act sought to provide tax deductions for all reasonable expenses pertaining to legally adopting a child. Under this proposal, employers could also contribute to the program as part of an employee benefit plan, making the contribution tax deductible as a business expense and encouraging the support of families considering the adoption process.
Gore Worked to Promote Adoption While in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1981, then-Rep. Al Gore cosponsored legislation that sought to ensure that adoption expenses would be tax deductible in the same way that medical and dental expenses are deductible from income taxes. In 1979, Al Gore cosponsored legislation that would help increase the adoption of children from the foster care system. This bill, the Foster Care and Adoption Reform Act of 1979, also sought to provide assistance to eligible families who have adopted children by providing them with support payments through the AFDC program.
Gore Worked to Assist Adolescent Mothers Seeking Adoption Services in His First Year in Office. In his first year in Congress, Al Gore cosponsored legislation that would have provided financial services for adolescent mothers seeking adoption services.
Part XII: Social Security and Retirement Security
GORE WORKED TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND RETIREMENT SECURITY
Gore is Working to Preserve Social Security. As President, Al Gore will commit $2.3 trillion of the budget surplus to strengthen Social Security and pay down the national debt to keep the system solvent until at least 2054. Gore will also oppose risky privatization efforts that would jeopardize Social Security benefits and oppose raising the eligibility age leaving millions who cannot work beyond the normal retirement age.
The Administration Worked to Improve Private Pension Plans. In 1996, the Administration introduced the Retirement Savings and Security Act to improve private pension programs and increase retirement savings. Several proposals from this Act were included in the 1996 minimum wage bill approved by the Administration. This new law:
Made it easier for small businesses to provide pensions to workers by creating a new small business 401(k)-type plan with no red tape and a simple short form to help expand pension coverage;
Increased the portability of pensions by amending previous pension laws that encouraged employers to make new employees wait a year before they could join a 401 (k) plan;
Improved spousal pension protections;
Expanded access to retirement savings by making 9 million employees of non-profit organizations and employees of Indian tribes, eligible to participate in 401(k) plans; and
Protected government employees' savings by requiring state and local government retirement savings plans to be held in trust so that employees do not lose their savings if the government declares bankruptcy.
The Administration Approved the Retirement Protection Act of 1994. In December 1994, the Administration approved the Retirement Protection Act to ensure that the benefits of more than 40 million American workers and retirees in traditional pension plans are protected. The Act gave the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) greater authority to penalize companies that fail to keep their pension plans viable, and required that workers in under-funded plans have access to easy-to-understand information regarding their plan's funding levels and the limitations of PBGC protections.
Gore Worked to Ensure Adequate Pension Plans for all Workers. As a U.S. Senator, Al Gore cosponsored the Employee Pension Protection Act of 1989, an early pension reform bill that sought to protect and strengthen employees' pensions. Since 1994, the Administration has successfully passed reform bills that have simplified the pension process for small businesses, expanded pension portability, and protected employee pension funds. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney stated that these reforms represent "a positive step toward making the promise of retirement income a reality for all Americans."
The Administration Held "Saver Summit." In June 1998, the Administration and Congressional leaders held the first "Saver Summit" to discuss the importance of building retirement savings. Speaking at the summit, Al Gore highlighted the need to raise awareness of the need for saving: "Too many Americans simply are not aware of the need to build up a nest egg early in their careers, and we all hope this summit will be an important step in building that public awareness."
GORE HAS STRENGTHENED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OLDER AMERICANS
Gore Fought to Reauthorize the Older Americans Act. In 1992, Al Gore cosponsored legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act of 1965. Since that time, Gore and the Administration have repeatedly called on Congress to again reauthorize the Act in order to increase funding for critical programs for older Americans. In 1999, Gore introduced the Administration's proposal to reauthorize this Act, which provides funding for needed services including programs to prevent elder abuse, an ombudsman to assist seniors in receiving federal benefits and to fight abuse by caregivers, adult day care programs and job training for seniors who need or want to work. The Act also funds the Meals-on-Wheels program, which provides more than 100 million meals to more than 875,000 seniors each year.
Gore Protected the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Al Gore and the Administration have worked to protect low-income Americans - especially seniors - from the dangers of devastating heat and cold by defending the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program helps low-income Americans pay the costs of heating or cooling their homes, including the purchase of air conditioners or fans and the payment of electricity bills.
Gore and the Administration Have Released LIHEAP Funds During Emergencies. During the heat wave of the summer of 1999, Al Gore and the Administration twice released LIHEAP funds to ensure that elder Americans receive the assistance they need to keep their homes cool. In fact, in July 1999 alone, $100 million in LIHEAP funds were made available by the Administration to 16 states and the District of Columbia. The Administration also directed the Department of Health and Human Services to release an additional $55 million in funds to nine Midwestern states to battle this heat wave.
Gore Fought Against Republican Efforts to End the Energy Assistance Program. In 1995, Al Gore and the Administration fought Senate Republican plans to severely cut back the LIHEAP and House Republican attempts to delete funding for the program altogether. During that budget battle, House Republicans passed an appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services that failed to fund this critically important assistance to America's seniors. The bill proposed by Senate Republicans contained only $900 million for LIHEAP - $400 million less than was appropriated for fiscal 1995. Gore and the Administration fought against these plans.
Gore Helped Strengthen Opportunities and Services for Older Americans. Al Gore and the Administration have fought to protect funding for the Corporation for National Service (CNS) which oversees AmeriCorps and the Senior Service Corps. The Corporation for National Service has enlisted more than half a million seniors to volunteer in their communities through a variety of programs, including the Foster Grandparent Program, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and the Senior Companion Program. Seniors tutor children, work in schools, aid homebound individuals and their families, and mentor children. As Harris Wofford, former Senator and head of the CNS has stated, "By connecting the young and old, intergenerational programs can strengthen the building blocks of civil society and revive the civic spirit in America."
Gore Supported and Expanded Family and Medical Leave. As a Congressman and as Vice President, Al Gore has been an advocate for the Family and Medical Leave Act. The FMLA became law under the Clinton-Gore Administration and covers millions of workers who have benefited from the up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new baby or sick relative. As a U.S. Senator in 1987, he co-sponsored an early version of the FMLA, and has supported proposals to expand the FMLA and give workers more choices when confronted with the need to work overtime or when parents need to meet their children's teachers.
Gore Has Fought Against Age Discrimination. Al Gore has worked to end age discrimination against America's seniors since his tenure in Congress. He has fought to eliminate mandatory retirement in employment and has continued to believe in the value that individuals bring to the workplace, no matter what their age.
Part XIII: Immigration
GORE FOUGHT TO SUPPORT IMMIGRATION AND FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Gore and the Administration Restructured the INS to Improve Naturalization and Better Serve Immigrants. Al Gore and the Administration have prioritized streamlining and improving the naturalization process while maintaining its integrity, and since 1993, 4.3 million individuals have been naturalized. In the past two years, the Administration provided an additional $300 million to address a backlog in citizenship applications. The Administration’s FY 2001 budget provides $35 million to reduce naturalization backlogs and establishes a $93 million Immigration Services Capital Investment Account. This account will fund on-going backlog reduction efforts and allow new capital acquisitions to help the agency better serve immigrants.
Gore Worked to Reunite Families of Legal Residents. In 1989, Al Gore voted six times to support immigration policies that allow family reunification. He fought efforts to reduce visas for adult brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and he supported increasing the number of visas for these individuals by over 60%. He also fought to increase the number of family preference and non-employer sponsored visas.
Gore Opposed Proposition 187 in California. Al Gore denounced Proposition 187 - a California ballot initiative that would deny all social services, including medical and educational programs for children, to illegal aliens residing in California. Gore encouraged a crowd of 1,800 Hispanics attending a 1994 Voter Registration Project to organize and defeat the proposition, calling it a “nuevo [new] apartheid.”
Gore Supported Legalizing the Residency Status of Long-Term Migrants. Al Gore supported efforts to legalize existing long-term migrant populations. Gore voted to establish and extend programs which provide legal status to migrants who have resided in the United States for some time. He also voted to support legalization for immigrants who were spouses and children of legal immigrants.
Gore Strengthened INS Enforcement Efforts. Al Gore and the Administration fought to pass the landmark 1994 Crime Bill, which included $1.2 billion to improve the efficiency and integrity of operations at the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This funding included $675 million to improve border enforcement against drug trafficking, and $338 million for hiring more asylum officers and judges to address the backlog of asylum claims. Since 1993, the Administration has reversed decades of neglect along the Southwest boarder, added technology along the Northern border, and added over 5,400 Border Patrol agents to combat drug trafficking.
GORE WORKED TO ENSURE THAT ALL COMMUNITIES ARE COUNTED
Gore Fought for a Fair and Accurate Census to Count All Americans. Al Gore and the Administration are working to ensure that the Year 2000 Census accurately reflects all ethnic groups in a fair and accurate manner. The Census Bureau estimates that the 1990 count missed 8.4 million people, including 5 percent of all Hispanics. In order to correct these disparities, the Vice President has advocated the use of statistical sampling methods - recommended by the National Academy of Science - to ensure that all Americans, regardless of ethnicity, are included in the Census count.
GORE PROMOTED QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND NUTRITION BENEFITS FOR IMMIGRANTS
Gore Fought to Restore Nutrition Assistance for Legal Immigrants. In 1998, Al Gore and the Administration led the effort to restore nutrition assistance to more than 250,000 elderly, disabled and other legal immigrants who had been lawfully residing in the U.S. prior to August 1996. In addition, Al Gore announced an Administration proposal to extend nutrition assistance eligibility to elderly legal immigrants who were not included under the previous extension.
Gore Protected Legal Immigrants Who Become Disabled. Al Gore and the Administration provided disabled legal immigrants access to Medicaid and SSI benefits. This effort provided $11.5 billion to help more than 450,000 immigrants whose benefits were eliminated under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. In 1999, Al Gore proposed disability benefits for an additional 54,000 disabled immigrants, and the Administration’s FY2001 budget calls for an additional $2.5 billion over five years to continue to restore these important benefits.
Gore Helped Support Families, Children and Expectant Mothers. In May 1999, Al Gore announced a policy to ensure that legal immigrants could receive vital Federal services without risking their eligibility to become U.S. citizens. This policy clarified a widespread misconception and improved access to vital housing support, nutrition assistance, and health insurance coverage for children and families under the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid. Al Gore also directed Federal agencies to send guidance to field offices, program grantees, and community organizations to educate Americans about this important new announcement.
Gore and Administration Made the Largest Investment in Children’s Health Care Since 1965. Al Gore and the Administration have worked to provide health insurance to millions of children who need it. As of September 1999, nearly 2 million children were covered by the Administration’s Children’s Health Insurance Program - which now includes 56 approved state and U.S. territorial programs. This program will cover up to 5 million children throughout the United States.
GORE WORKED TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Gore Promoted the English Language and Civic Instruction Initiative for Immigrant Families. Al Gore and the Administration are seeking $75 million, a $50 million increase, for the English Language and Civic Instruction Initiative in FY2001, to help immigrants further their education, obtain good jobs and become full participants in American society. This increase would allow an additional 250,000 limited English proficiency adults to access language instruction and life skills training to better understand the U.S. government system, the public education system, the workplace, and other key institutions of American life.
Gore Helped Strengthen Bilingual and Immigrant Education for Students. Al Gore and the Administration have worked to allow students with limited English skills to get the extra help they need in order to meet the same high standards expected for all students. The Administration fought for and won a 35% increase for bilingual and immigrant education in 1997 and an additional $26 million for the year 2000. These educational initiatives allow school districts to teach English to more than one million limited English proficient children.
Gore Promoted Educational Opportunities for Over 800,000 Immigrant Children. Al Gore and the Administration have promoted an Immigration Education program to improve supplemental instruction services for over 800,000 recent immigrant students at over 1000 school districts nationwide. These actions help achieve Al Gore’s goal that all teachers are well-trained to meet the needs of immigrant and bilingual students.
Gore Helped Expand Education Initiatives for Hispanic Americans. In 1998, Al Gore announced and helped pass the Administration’s Hispanic Education Action Plan, which provides more than $524 million for improving education for Hispanic children and adults. Gore announced in 1999 that an additional $480 million would be spent on the program for the next fiscal year. These funds would be targeted at economically disadvantaged school districts and increased spending for programs for children with limited English skills.
Gore Opposed English-Only Legislation and English Language Visas. Al Gore and the Administration consistently opposed English-Only legislation that would jeopardize services and opportunities for immigrants and limited English proficiency adults. In Congress, Al Gore opposed efforts to add English fluency as a qualification to obtain a visa for independent immigrants.
Part XIV: Urban Communities
AL GORE HAS PROMOTED IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS IN OUR CITIES
Gore Chairs the Community Empowerment Board. As the Chairman of the Community Empowerment Board, Al Gore has lead the Administration's efforts to promote investment and growth in America's urban communities. The Administration has created 31 Empowerment Zones and more than 100 Enterprise Communities to help create new jobs and new opportunities in American cities. The Board has brought together over 17 Cabinet agencies to improve federal responsiveness to local urban needs and to promote public-private partnerships for community investment. The Administration currently is promoting bipartisan efforts to create 9 new Empowerment Zones, reduce capital gains taxes and increase discretionary investment in existing zones, and develop 40 Renewal Communities.
Gore Continues to Promote Bipartisan Efforts to Renew Urban Communities. Al Gore and the Administration, joined by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, have called for the creation of a New Markets Initiative to promote private sector equity investment in underserved communities nationwide. In underserved communities across America, this bipartisan legislative initiative includes a New Markets Tax Credit to encourage $15 billion in private business investment, allows HUD to match 200% of private investment with low cost loans, and creates New Markets Venture Capital Firms to provide start-up capital for small businesses.
Gore Worked to Encourage Private Investment in America's Communities. Al Gore and the Administration have strengthened the existing Community Reinvestment Act to promote private investments in urban communities. As a result, over 95 percent of all private sector financial commitments made through the Act have occurred under the current Administration, and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition estimates that these pledges, totaling more than $1 trillion, go as loans to distressed communities. In addition, Al Gore and the Administration created the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund in 1994. The fund has used grants, loans, and equity investments to create a network of community development financial institutions in distressed areas across the country.
Gore Promoted New Domestic Markets to Tap America's Potential. Al Gore and the Administration launched the New Markets Initiative to help promote economic development and renewal in communities that have not fully participated in the current economic expansion. To make sure every American community enjoys economic growth, this Initiative will provide tax credits, loan guarantee incentives, and technical assistance and mentoring for small businesses. The program is expected to stimulate $22 billion in new investment in urban and rural areas.
AL GORE HAS WORKED TO REDUCE CRIME IN URBAN AREAS
Gore Fought for the Administration's 1994 Crime Bill. Al Gore was one of the most outspoken supporters of the 1994 Crime Bill which put 100,000 community police officers on the street and to fund programs to combat youth violence. The Administration is now fighting to hire and redeploy 30,000 to 50,000 community police officers over the next 5 years to expand community policing programs. Under the Clinton-Gore Administration, the United States has experienced the longest continuous drop in crime on record, and the overall crime rate is at the lowest point in 25 years.
Gore Has Worked to Take Assault Weapons and Illegal Guns Off Our Streets. Al Gore supported efforts to ban the manufacture and importation of assault-style weapons as a Senator in 1990 and 1991. As Vice President, Al Gore fought to enact strict gun regulations as part of the 1994 Crime Bill including a provision banning nineteen types of assault weapons, and he has promoted the prosecution of gun criminals.
Gore and the Administration Have Strictly Enforced Existing Gun Laws. Since 1992, federal prosecutions of offenders who commit crimes with firearms have increased by 16 percent. In addition, as a result of improved coordination with state and local law enforcement, overall gun prosecutions have increased 22 percent at the federal, state, and local levels.
Gore Cast the Tie-Breaking Vote to Close the Gun Show Loophole. Al Gore cast the tie-breaking vote to pass Senate legislation to close the loophole in existing law that has allowed gun shows to be exempt from the Brady Law, and to require background checks on individuals who seek to retrieve their own guns from pawn shops.
Gore Praised for Leadership. Following Gore's dramatic vote, Sarah Brady of Handgun Control Inc. wrote to the Vice President thanking him for his "continued leadership," stating that "…once again you have come through at a crucial time for the cause of gun violence protection." In addition, James Brady praised Al Gore and the Administration for their commitment to gun control. Brady said, "I had hoped to see my friend and old neighbor Vice President Al Gore who has always been there for us as well. He has been out front with you on this important fight."
Gore and the Administration Enacted Tough Gun Laws. The Brady Bill was eventually enacted as a stand-alone bill during the Clinton-Gore Administration, and has helped to block the sale of more than 500,000 handguns to felons, fugitives and stalkers.
Gore Supports the Rights of Cities to Hold the Gun Industry Responsible. Al Gore supports the rights of local governments to sue gun manufacturers and sellers. During the past two years, several local governments - including New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami-Dade County - have filed lawsuits attempting to hold the gun industry responsible for the damage created by their products.
AL GORE WORKED TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE LIVABLE
Gore Launched the Administration's Livable Communities Initiative. Al Gore launched the Administration's Livable Communities Initiative to provide citizens and communities with the tools and the resources needed to encourage smart growth, ease congestion, and improve quality of life. The initiative includes a citizen website and calls for $700 million in tax credits to help local communities raise $10.75 billion in Better America Bonds to achieve quality of life improvements for all Americans.
Gore Led the Administration's Successful Brownfield Redevelopment Efforts. Since 1995, the Administration helped remove more than 30,000 sites from the Superfund database -- allowing them to access important resources to further the process of revitalization. In 1997, Al Gore announced the Administration's Brownfields National Partnership to streamline resources from 20 federal agencies to address Brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. The Administration has provided almost $70 million in seed grants to over 300 communities to leverage over $1.6 billion dollars in private funds for projects to revitalize brownfields. The Administration also has secured a tax incentive allowing businesses in targeted areas to deduct certain cleanup costs through 2001.
AL GORE HAS WORKED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AMERICANS
Gore and the Administration Have Helped Millions of Americans Move from Welfare to Work. In 1996, the Administration signed a bipartisan welfare plan that has changed the nation's welfare system dramatically. The law contains strong work requirements, performance bonuses to reward states for moving welfare recipients into jobs, state maintenance of effort requirements, comprehensive child support enforcement, and financial supports for families moving from welfare to work.
Gore and the Administration Led Efforts to Train and Find Jobs for Welfare Recipients. In 1997, the Administration fought for and won $3 billion for a Welfare-to-Work jobs initiative as part of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. This initiative provided resources for cities and states to help welfare recipients find and keep jobs. In 1998, Gore announced an addition $273 million for 75 Welfare-to-Work Competitive grants to fund innovative local job training initiatives.
Welfare Rolls Have Been Cut In Half. During the Clinton-Gore Administration, between 1993 and 1999, welfare caseloads have dropped by 7.5 million and welfare rolls are down 53 percent. Welfare rolls are now at their lowest level since 1968, and the percent of Americans on welfare - 2.4 percent - is at the lowest level since 1966.
Gore Led Successful Federal Government Effort to Hire Welfare Recipients. In 1997, Al Gore announced the federal government's goal of hiring 10,000 welfare recipients, and he issued a report outlining the federal government's strategy to retrain and hire welfare recipients. As of April 22, 2000, the federal government has hired 28,634 welfare recipients, nearly tripling its goal.
Gore and Administration Improved Job Training Services. In January 1999, Al Gore announced a $60 million federal grant to help expand job training efforts for unemployed workers and unveiled a new federal website (www.alx.org) that allows workers to access job training and other career information quickly and easily on the Internet. These efforts build upon the Workforce Investment Act, which consolidated 60 different job- training programs run by 39 federal agencies. This streamlined system of programs, based on the reinventing government principles, will make it easier for workers to get the training they need.
Part XV: Crime
CRIME RATES DRAMATICALLY REDUCED
Crime is at its Lowest Level in 25 Years. While more work needs to be done, key crime indicators show that the anti-crime policies of this Administration are working.
Longest Continuous Drop in Crime On Record. For eight consecutive years, the crime rate in the United States has decreased - marking the longest continuous drop in crime on record.
Lowest Overall Crime Rate in 25 Years. The overall crime rate is at the lowest point in 25 years.
Violent Crime at Lowest Level Since 1973. Since the beginning of this Administration, the level of violent crime has dropped more than 33 percent to its lowest level since 1973 (the year the survey began).
Homicide Rate at Lowest Level Since 1967. Since 1993, the murder rate has dropped by more than 25 percent to its lowest point since 1967. In 1998, the 7 percent drop in the homicide rate was almost entirely due to a decrease in the number of murders committed with guns.
Prosecution of Gun Criminals Increased. Since 1992, federal prosecutions of offenders who commit crimes with firearms have increased by 16 percent. Overall gun prosecutions at the federal, state, and local level have increased by 22 percent since 1992 - thanks to better coordination with state and local law enforcement.
Drug Arrests Increased 46 Percent. The number of drug-related arrests (including arrests for sale, manufacture and possession) increased by 46 percent between 1992 and 1998. In 1998, more than half a million more violators were arrested than in 1992.
Juvenile Violent Crime Arrests Drops. In 1998, juvenile violent crime arrests dropped 8 percent.
GORE WORKED TO REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS
The Administration Proposed the Largest Anti-Drug Budgets Ever. Drug control funding has increased from $12.2 billion in 1993 to $18.5 billion in 2000 (including the requested Plan Colombia FY2000 supplemental). The Administration requested $19.2 billion in the FY01 budget to fight the war on drugs.
Gore Worked for Anti-Drug Media Campaign. In 1998, the Administration began a $195 million national youth anti-drug media campaign to educate children about the dangers of drugs and to encourage a dialogue between parents and their children about substance abuse.
Gore Promoted Efforts to Fight Drug Abuse. As Vice President, Al Gore has worked to fight drug and substance abuse by working to fund important prevention programs:
Vice President Gore called on Congress to pass the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Act to fight youth drug abuse in 1994.
In their FY01 Budget, Al Gore and the Administration proposed a $215 million initiative to move drug offenders off of drugs and away from crime. This funding would also go towards helping states implement tough, rigorous criminal justice supervision.
Gore Cosponsored the Omnibus Anti-Substance Abuse Act. In 1988, Al Gore was an original cosponsor of the Omnibus Anti-Substance Abuse Act, which established a National Drug Control Program, including the office of the Drug Czar. In addition, this Act increased penalties for repeat felons convicted of a drug offense, and increased funding for drug education and prevention programs. Gore also cosponsored the Emergency Crack Control Act of 1986, which sought to increase penalties for distributing or dispensing cocaine freebase, or for employing minors to distribute drugs in or near schools.
GORE GAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE CRIME-FIGHTING TOOLS THEY NEED
Gore Fought for the 1994 Crime Bill to Put 100,000 Community Police Officers on the Streets. Al Gore fought hard for the 1994 Crime Bill, which authorized $8.8 billion over six years to put 100,000 community police officers on the street. Gore praised the program for helping to create partnerships between law enforcement officers and the communities they are protecting. In 1999, the Clinton-Gore Administration met its goal of finding 100,000 additional officers. Last fall, the Administration signed into law the first installment to fund an additional 50,000 officers over the next 5 years for our streets. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 budget continues its commitment to this new goal, helping to build on the gains made by the community policing program.
Gore Worked to Help Law Enforcement Get Critical Bulletproof Vests. In 1998, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Bullet-proof Vest Partnership Grant Act to help state and local governments buy bullet-proof vests for their law enforcement officers. The Act authorizes up to $25 million a year for three years for a 50-50 matching grant program to help fund the purchase of the vests. The Administration has also announced its support to extend and double the current program. In addition to encouraging Congress to pass the bulletproof vest act, the Vice President has also called for legislation that will increase the sentence for federal crimes committed while wearing a bullet-proof vest.
Gore has Promoted the Use of Technology in Crime-Fighting Efforts. In 1998, Gore announced a number of federal grants to help states and local communities obtain the technological resources they need to combat crime. In particular, Gore has highlighted the use of "crime mapping" technology to help law enforcement agencies chart the locations and patterns of crime. The Departments of Justice, Treasury and Defense signed an agreement to share crime-fighting technologies that has helped create a wireless telecommunication network for all law enforcement officials, and assisted in the development of "smart guns" and automated booking systems. In addition, the Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget includes $350 million for law enforcement technology under its 21st Century Policing Initiative.
Gore Announced the "Partnership for a Safer America." In 1998, Vice President Gore, Attorney General Reno and Energy Secretary Pena announced a "Partnership for a Safer America" to further encourage the use of cutting edge technology in crime fighting. This partnership gave enforcement agencies access to technological advances developed by the Energy Department - such as video and image enhancement technologies and geographic positioning devices.
Gore Fought for Better Pay and Benefits for Federal Law Enforcement Officers. As a Senator, Al Gore co-sponsored several pieces of legislation to increase the pay of federal law enforcement officers. In addition, Gore co-sponsored legislation that would have provided for higher benefits for the families of those who were killed in the line of duty. Gore also co-sponsored legislation that would have provided additional resources to law enforcement agencies to help them recruit candidates to better serve the American public.
GORE WORKED TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE
Gore Cast the Tie-Breaking Vote to Close the Gun Show Loophole. Al Gore cast the tie-breaking vote to pass Senate legislation to close the loophole in existing law that has allowed gun shows to be exempt from the Brady Law. Following Gore's dramatic vote, Sarah Brady of Handgun Control Inc. wrote to the Vice President thanking him for his "continued leadership," stating that "...once again you have come through at a crucial time for the cause of gun violence protection."
Gore Praised by James Brady For His Leadership on Gun Control. At a White House ceremony, James Brady praised Al Gore and the Administration for their commitment to gun control. Brady said, "I had hoped to see my friend and old neighbor Vice President Al Gore who has always been there for us as well. He has been out front with you on this important fight. It was a great moment last May when Vice President Gore cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to close the gun show loophole. Both Sarah and I are deeply grateful for the leadership you, Mr. President, and Vice President Gore have provided."
Gore Praised by Sarah Brady for His Leadership in Supporting Brady Bill. In 1991, Sarah Brady of Handgun Control Inc. praised then-Senator Al Gore for his leadership in supporting the Brady Bill. As an original cosponsor of the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act, Gore worked with Senators Mitchell, Kohl, and Biden to craft a compromise that helped include the Brady Bill as part of the 1991 Crime Bill. However, the Crime Bill died after a Republican-led filibuster of the bill.
Brady Bill Became Law Under the Clinton-Gore Administration. The Brady Bill was eventually enacted as a stand-alone bill during the Clinton-Gore Administration, and has helped to block the sale of more than 500,000 handguns to felons, fugitives and domestic abusers.
The Administration's FY01 Budget Strengthens Brady Bill. The Fiscal Year 2001 budget provides $70 million to double funding to improve background checks, state criminal history records and improve the speed and accuracy of Brady background checks. Also, $5 million is provided for a National Instant Notification (NIN) system to notify local police of felons who attempt to illegally purchase firearms.
Gore Supported the Ban on 19 Types of Deadly Assault Weapons. As Vice President, Gore fought to enact the landmark 1994 Crime Bill, which included a provision banning nineteen types of assault weapons. As Gore told CNN: "We've got an epidemic of violent crime and a lot of members of the NRA have told me, these assault weapons weren't made for hunting deer or squirrels or for homeowners...They shouldn't be in the hands of our children on the streets of our cities."
Gore has Advocated Child Safety Locks. Al Gore has advocated mandatory child safety locks to protect children from handguns. While the Administration reached an agreement with a majority of handgun manufacturers to voluntarily include gun locks with the sale of new handguns, Gore believes further protections are needed and should be required. That is why he has called upon Congress to pass legislation that would require all handguns to be sold with a child safety lock.
Gore Supported the Ban on Plastic Guns. As a member of the U.S. Senate, Al Gore cosponsored a bill that banned undetectable firearms, which were often used to evade metal detectors and x-ray systems.
Gore Supported the Largest National Gun Enforcement Initiative in History. Gore supported an unprecedented $280 million gun enforcement initiative that included 500 new ATF Agents and Inspectors to crack down on violent gun criminals, and over 1,000 federal, state, and local gun prosecutors to incarcerate dangerous gun criminals. Also, the initiative called for more than tripling current funding for ballistics testing programs in order to launch the first-ever national ballistics network to help link bullets to the guns they were fired from, as well as providing $10 million for "smart" gun technology, to ensure that guns can only be fired by proper adults.
Gore Has Worked For Gun-Free and Drug-Free Schools. In 1994, Al Gore encouraged Congress to pass legislation that will help to get guns and drugs out of schools by expanding the Safe & Drug-Free Schools program. Forty million students benefit from this program that assists in drug prevention efforts in 97% of America's school districts. This act included a requirement that all states receiving federal education funding implement a mandatory 1-year expulsion for any student who brings a gun to school. As a result of this requirement, nearly 10,000 students have been expelled for bringing a gun to school in the 1996-7 and 1997-8 school years. In addition, Al Gore fought Republican efforts to slash funding for the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program, which has assisted anti-drug efforts in our nation's schools.
GORE WORKED TO REDUCE YOUTH VIOLENCE
Gore Called for Passage of the Administration's Youth Violence Legislation. In a 1997 speech to the Democratic Leadership Council convention, Vice President Gore called for Congress to pass the Administration's Anti-Gang and Youth Violence bill. In his speech, Gore highlighted a report by the Justice Department's juvenile division that suggested that the number of juveniles arrested for violent crimes will more than double by the year 2000. "That means we must launch a full-scale assault on juvenile crime," Gore stated, "Congress must pass our Juvenile Justice Act-to target teen gangs, get guns out of the hands of violent juveniles and do more to prevent crime before it starts."
Gore Promoted Juvenile Justice Reforms. As Vice President, Al Gore has spoken throughout the country in support of needed juvenile justice reforms. In 1998, Al Gore led a town hall meeting in Houston to promote local efforts for combating juvenile crime. Al Gore has also highlighted the important role that fathers play in families - a role that can help prevent youth violence.
Gore and the Administration Fought to Provide Safe, High Quality After-School Care. Gore Has Promoted Safe, High Quality After-School Care Initiatives. Al Gore and the Administration have worked to expand the 21st Century Learning Centers program from a $1 million demonstration project in 1997 to a $453 million effort this year. This program now provides safe, quality after-school care for 850,000 students nationwide. As part of their fiscal year 2001 budget proposal, the Administration proposed increasing funding for this program to $1 billion to make after-school and summer-school programs more accessible to Title 1 schools.
Gore and the Administration Worked to Reduce School Violence. In 1994, Vice President Gore encouraged Congress to pass legislation that will help to get guns out of schools. Congress later adopted, and the President signed, the Gun-Free Schools Act, which required all states that receive federal education funding to adopt policies requiring a mandatory 1-year expulsion for any student who brings a gun to school. In addition, the Vice President has fought Republican efforts to slash funding for the Safe and Drug Free Schools program, which has assisted anti-drug efforts in our nation's schools.
The White House Conference on School Safety. In 1998, the President, Vice President, and Mrs. Clinton hosted a White House conference focusing on ways to reduce violence in our schools. The conference allowed teachers, school administrators, and local law enforcement officials to discuss ideas on how to make schools safer. The Administration also announced a number of initiatives at the conference to help reduce school violence. Included among these initiatives was a $65 million program to assist high-risk schools in hiring up to 2,000 community police and school resource officers. In addition, the Administration's Fiscal Year 2001 budget calls for a $100 million increase in the Administration's Safe Schools initiative, investing a total of $250 million in the program.
School Violence Rates Down. While there is still much work to do, school crime has decreased by more than one-third under this Administration. In 1997, there were 102 school-related crimes per 1000 students - a decrease from 155 school-related crimes per 1000 students in 1993.
Schools have More Community Police Officers. The Administration's community policing grants have been used to fund more than 2,600 police officers to work in schools. These officers have been working in American schools that have serious crime problems and schools to prevent crime in the first place.
GORE WORKED TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Gore Fought For the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. Al Gore was one of the most outspoken supporters of the 1994 Crime Bill, which authorized a series of initiatives designed to combat crimes against women. Known collectively as the Violence Against Women Act, these initiatives created federal penalties for interstate stalking and domestic abuse, strengthened existing penalties for repeat sexual offenses, established a toll-free national hotline for family violence, and authorized $1.6 billion for programs to fight violence against women - including funding for battered women's shelters and rape crisis centers. As a U.S. Senator, in 1991, Gore cosponsored an earlier version of the Violence Against Women Act. Also, the FY01 budget of Gore and the Administration includes $516 million to combat domestic violence ($296 million for the Department of Justice and $220 million for the Department of Health and Human Services.)
Gore Worked to Combat Domestic Violence. As Vice President, and as a Member of Congress, Al Gore has worked hard to prevent domestic violence.
Increasing Funding for Battered Women's Shelters. In 1998, Al Gore announced an Administration initiative to issue $223 million in grants to increase funding for battered women's shelters and strengthen law enforcement efforts to prevent crimes against women. The grant money has helped communities provide services to domestic violence victims and foster collaboration between victims' advocates, prosecutors, police officers and judges in handling domestic abuse cases.
Making it Easier for Victims to Protect their Identity. In 1998, Al Gore announced that the Federal government would make it easier for victims of domestic violence to change their Social Security numbers to help protect them from their attackers. Prior to this change, the Social Security Administration granted new identification numbers only in rare instances. The Boston Globe praised Gore for this "successful effort" that is "making it harder for [victims] to be tracked down by their abusers."
Working to Prevent Domestic Violence as a Congressman. In only his second term in Congress, Gore cosponsored the Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act. This bill sought to authorize federal grants to assist states in designing domestic violence prevention projects and to provide immediate shelter to victims and their dependents.
Gore Cosponsored Legislation to Help Locate Missing Children. As a Member of Congress in 1984, Al Gore cosponsored legislation that sought to establish a national toll-free number to help locate missing children. The legislation also proposed grants for research, demonstration, or service programs designed to prevent the abduction of children.
Gore Fought to Prevent Child Abuse. As a U.S. Senator, Al Gore cosponsored the Children's Justice and Assistance Act of 1986, which sought to improve law enforcement efforts to prevent child abuse. This legislation provided Federal grants to states to improve their legal and administrative procedures for the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. The Act also established a program of grants to states to assist private and public agencies and organizations in providing nurseries for children who are, or are at high risk of, being abused and neglected.
GORE SUPPORTED TOUGH CRIMINAL SENTENCES
Gore Fought for the 1994 Crime Bill which Increased Criminal Penalties. Gore was a vocal advocate of the landmark 1994 Crime Bill, which increased criminal penalties for a number of offenses:
"Three Strikes." The 1994 Crime Bill included the "three strikes and you're out" provision, which required life imprisonment for anyone convicted of a third violent felony.
Increased Penalties for Gun-Related Crimes. The 1994 Crime Bill increased penalties for interstate gun trafficking, for using semiautomatic weapons in violent or drug trafficking offenses, and for making false statements when purchasing guns from federally licensed dealers.
Increased Penalties for Hate Crimes. The 1994 Crime Bill included the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act, which increased sentences for hate crimes by about one-third.
Expansion of the Death Penalty. The 1994 Crime Bill authorized the federal death penalty for more crimes, including murders of federal law enforcement officers.
Gore Supported Mandatory Minimums for Use of "Cop Killer" Bullets. In 1984, Al Gore cosponsored a bill to impose mandatory 5-year terms for anyone who uses armor-piercing bullets during the commission of a federal crime. That same year, he also co-sponsored a bill to provide for mandatory 15-year sentences for "armed career criminals."
Gore Supported Tougher Sentences for Criminals Using Guns to Commit Crimes. More than twenty years ago, Gore cosponsored legislation to impose mandatory minimum sentences for federal crimes where guns are used. As a Senator, Al Gore voted for a proposal to establish mandatory minimums for those who use or possess a firearm during violent or drug-related crimes. Later that year, Gore voted for the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1991, which also included provisions to toughen penalties for using a gun during violent crimes and gun possession by felons.
GORE WORKED TO END HATE CRIMES
Gore Worked to End Hate Crimes. Al Gore encouraged passage of the Administration's 1994 Crime Bill, which included provisions to combat hate crimes. The Act included the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act, which increased sentences for hate crimes by about one-third.
New Initiatives to Fight Hate Crimes. Al Gore spoke at the first White House Conference on Hate Crimes in 1997, during which the Administration announced initiatives to get tough on hate crimes. Included among these initiatives were the addition of approximately 50 FBI agents and federal prosecutors to enforce hate crimes laws, improve data collection on hate crimes, and new education programs to educate the public - especially youth - about hate crimes.
Gore Worked to Ensure Hate Crimes Are Recognized. As a U.S. Senator, Al Gore co-sponsored legislation that would document and identify when and where hate crimes occurred. Gore worked for legislation that would provide data collection regarding hate crimes that were motivated by racial, religious, sexual orientation, or ethnic hatred.
Read more of Al Gore's accomplishment's here!
