PRESS RELEASE
September 18, 1996

PROMINENT ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS HOLD NEWS EVENTS NATIONWIDE BACKING PRESIDENT CLINTON’S CRIME FIGHTING RECORD

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nationally prominent elected officials and law enforcement experts are holding news events in Washington, D.C. and in 46 states across the nation today backing President Clinton’s strong crime fighting record, announced Clinton/Gore ‘96 Campaign Manager Peter S. Knight.

This nationwide response comes one day after the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics released a new report showing the sharpest decrease in violent crime in eight years. It also follows major endorsements of President Clinton by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the International Union of Police Associations.

"President Clinton doesn’t point fingers, he points the nation in the right direction for fighting crime and drugs," said Knight. "In four years, the President has moved past decades of tough talk to implement a solid record of tough action," he added.

The President’s anti-crime achievements include signing a crime bill that banned the deadliest assault weapons, created a 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline, provided the death penalty for drug kingpins and is putting 100,000 police on the streets. In addition to passing the Brady Bill, President Clinton provided grants to fight gangs and youth violence, and expanded the “Safe and Drug Free Schools” initiative which benefits 40 million children in 97 percent of America’s school districts.

News events highlighting President Clinton’s strong crime fighting record -- and contrasting it with Bob Dole’s -- are being held today in states from coast to coast (see a list of contacts attached).

Participants in the Washington, D.C. news conference include Chris Dodd, who is a Senator from Connecticut; Bob Miller who is Governor of Nevada; Dianne Feinstein who is a Senator from California; John Conyers who is a Congressman from Michigan; Jim Brady who is a former Reagan Administration Press Secretary; Scott Harshbarger who is President of the National Association of Attorneys General and Massachusetts Attorney General; Thomas C. Frazier who is Baltimore City Police Commissioner; Patricia C. Jessamy who is Baltimore City State’s Attorney; Bob Scully who is Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations; Robert Robbins, who is a senior member of the Legislative Committee of the National Fraternal Order of Police; and Art Reddy who is Vice President of the International Union of Police Associations.

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State by State Crime/Law Enforcement Events

ALABAMA Contact: Peggy Roberts 334-262-6887
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 4:00 p.m.
Activity: Press conference in Huntsville at opening of Clinton/Gore headquarters
Surrogates: District Attorney Jimmy Fry Huntsville District Attorney Tim Morgan Sheriff Grady Rose
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Montgomery on steps of State Capitol
Surrogates: Montgomery County District Attorney Ellen Brooks Tuskeegee Police Chief Gwethylyn Averheart Wilcox County Sheriff Prince Arnold Laindes County Sheriff Willie Verney

ARIZONA Contact: Lisa McSpadden 602-253-9600
Date: Tuesday 9/15 at 1:00 p.m.
Activity: Press conference in Maricopa County
Surrogates: Sofia Lopez -- President of Phoenix Mothers Against Gangs Ken Gurby -- President of International Union of Police Associations

ARKANSAS Contact: Steve Harrelson 501-374-2500
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:30 p.m. (CST)
Activity: Press conference at Central High’s Alert Center
Surrogates: Searcy Police Chief J.R. Thomas Mayor Patrick Hayes of North Little Rock

CALIFORNIA Contact: Neera Tanden 213-951-1996
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 4:00 p.m.
Activity: Press conference in Sacramento Mather Airport
Surrogates: Vice President Al Gore LA City Attorney James K. Hahn John Brimage - President of Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement 11 Associations have officially endorsed Clinton/Gore -- 5 of which will represented here. 33 Statewide Off duty law enforcement officials endorsed Clinton/Gore -- 6 of which will be represented here

COLORADO Contact: Sharon Kennedy 303-832-9696
Activity: Op-Ed’s

CONNECTICUT Contact: Patty McQueen 860-525-1996
Date: Wednesday 9/18 10:00 a.m.
Activity: Press Conference at Bridgeport City Hall at new substation
Surrogates: Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim Fraternal Order of Police President Carlos Perez
Date: Thursday 9/19
Activity: Press Conference
Surrogates: Fraternal Order of Police representative

DELAWARE Contact: Peter Woolfolk 302-998-6041
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 11:15 a.m.
Activity: Press conference outside of Wilmington Police Athletic Center
Surrogates: Governor Tom Carper Wilmington Mayor Sills New Castle County Chief of Police Freeby Karen Johnson State Senator Patricia Blevins Several off duty Police officers

FLORIDA Contacts: Tallahassee - Jo Miglino 904-222-9094 Miami - Blanca Messa 305-876-0033
Date: Tuesday 9/17
Activity: Press Conference
Surrogates: Tampa Mayor Dick Greco Governor Lawton Chiles
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 8:45 a.m.
Activity: Press conference at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Pert Richey
Surrogates: Governor Lawton Chiles Brian Prescott -- State House candidate Pasco Sheriff Lee Canon
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 11:00 a.m.
Activity: Press Conference with the capitol press corp outside of substation in Tallahassee
Surrogates: Lt. Governor Buddy Mc Kay Under-Sheriff Larry Campbell Fraternal Order of Police State President Phil Cameron Lt. Duane West of Tallahassee Police department
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 3:00 p.m.
Activity: Talk with residents -- Orlando
Surrogates: Governor Chiles Attorney General Bob Butterworth Orange County Commissioner Mary Johnson Elderly neighbors
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 11:00 a.m.
Activity: Press conference in Ft. Lauderdale at Tamarac Elementary School
Surrogates: Attorney General Bob Butterworth Broward Sheriff Ron Cochran

GEORGIA Contact: Caroline Adelman Aronovitch 404-872-2516
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press conference
Surrogate: Mayor Campbell Director of Public Safety in county Former District Attorney’s and sheriffs Off duty law enforcement from surrounding counties
Activity: Satellite activities around the state

HAWAII Contact: Allicyn Hikida 808-832-9696
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference
Surrogates: Keith Kaneshiro, Honolulu City & County Prosecutor Margery Bronster, State Attorney General Michael Nakamura, City and County Police Chief Susan Chandler, Director of Hawaii Department of Human Services Nancy Kriedman, Executive Director Domestic Violence Clearinghouse

ILLINOIS Contact: Camille Johnston 312-329-9696
Date: Thursday 9/19
Event: Press Conference in Chicago to be announced

INDIANA Contact: Jeff Fites 317-231-7100
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Theme: Crime Bill
Activity: Press Conference in Indianapolis
urrogates: Former Marion County Prosecutor Jeff Modisette
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in Merrillville
Surrogates: 25 Mayors

IOWA Contact: Julie Stauch 515-244-9696
Date: Tuesday 9/17
Activity: Press Conference in Des Moines outside of Police Department Headquarters
Surrogates: Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller State Senator Tom Vilfack State Representative & Newton Police officer Paul Bell Story County Attorney Mary Richards Marion County Sheriff Marv Van Haaften

KANSAS Contact: Joe Wagner 913-354-4696
Date: Thursday 9/19
Activity: Press Conference
Surrogates: Fraternal Order of Police representative

KENTUCKY Contact: Ernie Gibble 502-695-7844
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Activity: Press Conference in Bowling Green at City Hall
Surrogate: Mayor Eldon Renaud Sheriff Peanut Gaines -- tentative

LOUISIANA Contact: Bill Bryan 504-267-5290
Date: Tuesday 9/17
Activity 1: Street Walk in Lake Charles
Activity 2: Round table Discussion with community activists
Surrogate: Tipper Gore Mayor Clinton COPS on bikes
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at noon
Activity: Press Conference at Sheriffs office in New Orleans
Surrogates: Sheriff Harry Lee 15 off duty police officers

MAINE Contact: Deborah Cook 207-774-1396
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Activity: Press Conference at Bangor Housing Authority
Surrogates: Attorney General Andrew Ketterer Glen Ross -- Chief Deputy Sheriff East Millinocket Police Chief Gerald Cramp Pat Sieroif -- Teacher Sara Parker -- DARE Student Bangor Mayor

MARYLAND Contact: Jess Sarmiento 410-662-4470
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Event: Press Conference in Montgomery County outside District Courthouse
Surrogates: Governor Glendening Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Attorney General Joe Curran Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan Montgomery Sheriff Kight (with deputies and lieutenants) Anne Arundel County Sheriff George Johnson Prince Georges County Sheriff James Aluisi Baltimore City Police Commissioner Tom Frazier Off duty law enforcement from Montgomery County Dick Willis (son was murdered by assault weapon)

MASSACHUSETTS Contact: Doug Hattaway 617-742-6770
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 11:30 a.m.
Activity: Press Conference at State House in Boston
Surrogates: Mayor Tom Menino Elizabeth Giannetti - Fraternal Order of Police representative Mayor Capuano of Summerville Mayor McManus of Lynn Mayor Sheets of Quincy
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 10:30 a.m.
Activity: Press Conference in Springfield
Surrogates: Mayor Albano Sheriff Ashe Sheriff Garvey Joe Lyons of the FOP
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Activity: Press Conference in Worcester
Surrogates: Mayor Marlano Sheriff Flynn Joe Lyons of the Fraternal Order of Police
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:30 p.m.
Activity: Press Conference in Pittsville
Surrogates: Mayor Riley Sheriff Massimiano State Representative Hodgkins District Attorney Downing

MICHIGAN Contact: Craig Sutherland 313-965-3933
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in East Lansing
Surrogates: Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelly Ingraham County Sheriff Wrigglesworth
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in Detroit
Surrogates: Mayor Dennis Archer Wayne County Sheriff Bob Ficano
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in Flint
Surrogates: Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelly Genesse County Sheriff Joe Wilson

MINNESOTA Contact: Peter Hamm 612-642-9600
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Event: Roundtable
Surrogates: Hillary Rodham Clinton Attorney General Skip Humphrey Off duty police officers

MISSISSIPPI Contact: Glenn Rushing 601-960-0796
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 3:00 p.m.
Activity: Press conference in midtown neighborhood -- they are building a substation for new Clinton Administration funded Community Off duty police officers.
Surrogates: Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Ruben Anderson Former Governor Winter Perry Coleman -- Community Police Officer Jackson Attorney General Mike Moore -- tentative Former prosecutor, State Representative Alyce Clark (Coordinator of Drug Courts) Sheriff Malcolm McMillan -- tentative Habitat for Humanity representative Housing Authority representative Off duty Police Officers

MISSOURI Contacts: Kansas City -- Nina Thompson 816-363-0096 St. Louis -- Rachel Faymen 314-647-0880
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in St. Louis outside of community policing station
Surrogates: Attorney General Jay Nixon St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley St. Louis off duty public officers
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in Kansas City on steps of Courthouse
Surrogates: Governor Carnahan Jackson County official Claire McCaskill

MONTANA Contact: Jay Strell 406-442-5560
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference at Lewis and Clark County Courthouse in Helena
Surrogates: Attorney General Joe Mazurek Mike McGrath, County Attorney Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff John McPherson Cascade County Prosecutor Brant Light

NEVADA Contact: Angelina Ornelas 702-822-1211
Activity: Op-Ed’s and statements

NEW HAMPSHIRE Contact: Jennifer Miller 603-626-6696
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 9:00 a.m.
Activity: Press Conference in Concord
Surrogates: Hillsborough County Attorney Peter McDonough (Manchester) Former Congressman Dick Swett (Senate Candidate)
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Individuals available to media throughout the day
Surrogates: Rockingham County Attorney Bill Hart Retired state police Colonel Paul O’Leary Former Manchester Chief Tom King Concord Chief David Walchchak (R)

NEW JERSEY Contact: Jo Astrid-Glading 908-296-8848
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 10:00 a.m.
Event: Press Conference at State House in Trenton
Surrogates: Local Fraternal Order of Police President Rick Whelan Essex Sheriff Fontoura Union Sheriff Frohlick Middlesex Sheriff Spicuzzo Off duty police people

NEW MEXICO Contact: Anne Uhring 505-262-9600
Date: Monday 9/16 9:00 p.m.
Event: Press Conference at Albuquerque International Airport
Surrogates: National Fraternal Order of Police President Gil Gallegos Sheriff Bowditch of Bernalillo County Santa Fe Chief Carlos Jaramillo

NEW YORK Contact: Max Smith 212-253-9456
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 11:00 a.m.
Activity: Press Conference
Surrogates: Peter Vallone, speaker of the City Council Former Commissioner of New York City Corrections Department Catharine Abate Former Attorney General Bob Abrams Guardian Society representative (Black Police Society) -- tentative Tom Scotto of New York Detectives Endowment Association Bronx Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez Representatives from the Latino Officers Association Barbara Holt, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Charlotte Watson Sherry Price of Women Against Domestic Violence Mr. Africanus of Crown Heights Youth Objective

NORTH CAROLINA Contact: Hal Kwalwasser 919-508-1996
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 9:45 a.m.
Activity: Press conference in Raleigh
Surrogates: NC Fraternal Order of Police Board Member Michael Tucker Wake county Sheriff John Baker Orange county Sheriff Linda Pendergraph Johnston county Sheriff Freddy Narron John B. Chief Thomas Moss of Garner W.K. Jones and Don Jones of Wake County Corrections State Representative Ann Barnes Wanda Bryant - Deputy Attorney General, Citizens Rights Division Christopher Eaddy, Director of the Safe Neighborhoods Initiative Juanita Bryant, Executive Director of NC Council of Women Catherine Rieger, NC Council of Women Kit Grulle -- Chatham County Rape Center Eaddy and Raleigh City Councilman Eric Reeves Jackie Ballard, teacher at Daniels Middle School
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Surrogates: Police Chiefs in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, High Point & Greensboro -- available to speak with press

NORTH DAKOTA Contact: Julie Durick 701-255-0460
Date: Thursday 9/19
Activity: Press Conference
Surrogate: Attorney General of North Dakota

OHIO Contact: Jay Byrne 614-280-1996
Date: Friday 9/20
Activity: Press conference in Columbus
Surrogates: Bob Scully of the National Association of Police Organizations -- tentative

OKLAHOMA Contact: Elissa Dozona 405-524-9996
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Statement and interviews
Surrogates: Attorney General Drew Edmondson Chief of Police John Whetsel

OREGON Contact: Leslie Carlson 503-225-9600
Date: Monday 9/16
Activity: Press conference
Surrogates: Chief of Portland Police President of Portland Off duty police officers’ Association Captain Paul May from Yamhill County Sheriff Josh Marquis, Clatsop County District Attorney Chief Gary McKenzie from Washington County.

PENNSYLVANIA Contacts: Philadelphia -- Tricia Enright 215-985-4096 Pittsburgh -- Adrienne Schwartz 412-434-7456
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 9:30 a.m.
Activity: Student Program at Community House in Pittsburgh
Surrogates: Mayor Tom Murphy Jim Allen, Director Of Youth Policy Outreach Dr. Henry Benz, City of Pittsburgh Schools Bob Fazden, Chief of Security of public schools Lori Shaler, Director of outreach program Richard Garland, former gang member now counselor Darlene Harris, school board member and parent of student speaking -- tentative Students Mel Blount, baseball player -- tentative
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press conference in Wilkes Barre
Surrogates: Mr. Zigland -- President of Luzerne County Police Chiefs Peter Olszeweski - Luzerne District Attorney Mayor Tom McGroarty of Wilkes Barre Pat Kwetkauskie -- Domestic Violence Service Center
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press conference in Johnstown
Surrogates: Cambria County Fraternal Order of Police representative Francis Sanna Cambria County Sheriff Jay Roberts Cambria County Drug Task Force Chief Rod Miller

RHODE ISLAND Contact: Cindy Gire 401-459-3800
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 10:45 a.m.
Activity: Press conference outside of North Providence police department
Surrogates: North Providence police chief William Devine Mayor Fossa of North Providence Johnston Police Chief Richard Tamborini Pawtuckett Police Commander Morris W. Pawtuckett patrolman John Malloy Former prosecutors and other Off duty law enforcement officials Retired Sargeant Michael Damiani

SOUTH CAROLINA Contact: Marly Nicholson 803-799-7789
Date: Thursday 9/19 or Friday 9/20
Activity: Press Conference in Greenville
Surrogates: Sheriff James Surgleton Sheriff Howard Wells -- Union County
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Activity: Press conference in Charleston at playground used for midnight basketball
Surrogates: Sheriff John T. Henry -- Harry County Sheriff Lane Cribb - Georgetown County Vice President of SC Fraternal Order of Police Detective David Fair
Date: Friday 9/20 at 11:00 a.m.
Activity: Press conference in Columbia at Sims Park
Surrogates: Sheriff Ding Jones Sheriff Herman Young Pete Strom - Former U.S. Attorney Columbia Chief of Police Charles Austin State Fraternal Order of Police representative Leon Lott -Chief of Police in St. Matthews (Candidate for Sheriff in Richland County)

SOUTH DAKOTA Contact: Debbie Hoffman 605-373-9600
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Tour in Rapid City (West River)
Surrogates: Former U.S. Marshall of South Dakota Robert Ecoffey
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Tour in Sioux Falls (East River)
Surrogates: Davison County Sheriff Lyle Swenson

TENNESSEE Contact: Patrick Willard 615-320-3889
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Activity: Press Conference in Nashville
Surrogates: Bill Purcell - State Director Clinton/Gore State Representative Edith Langster of Nashville Metro Council Member Horace Johns (Also chair of Public Safety Committee) Metro Council Member --Chris Ferrell

TEXAS Contact: Margaret Justus 512-327-1243
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conference in State Capitol
Surrogates: Travis County Attorney Ken Oden Barbara Luckard -- Domestic violence survivor Debbie Tucker -- Women’s advocate Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle Bell County District Attorney Arthur C. “Cappy” Eads Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra Corpus Christi County Attorney Carl Lewis Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant

VERMONT Contact: Elli Kaplan 802-865-4496
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 11:00 a.m.
Theme: COPS and domestic violence
Activity: Press Conference WLAX television station in Burlington
Surrogates: Judy Rex -- Director of Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence Lori Hayes -- Director of the Center for Crime Victims States Attorney for Franklin County Jim Hughes Detective Cheryl Goslant of Montpelier Police Off duty police people

VIRGINIA Contact: Tyler Beardsly 804-649-1996
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 1:30 p.m.
Activity: Press Conference at Festival Park at police monument to fallen officers
Surrogate: Commonwealth Attorney David Hicks Hampton Sheriff B.J. Robertson Former Richmond Police Chief Marty Tapscott

WASHINGTON Contact: Joe Cerrell 206-287-1996
Activity: Op-Ed’s and statements

WEST VIRGINIA Contact: Dan Israel 304-347-8681
Date: Wednesday 9/18 at 2:00 p.m.
Event: Street walk with officers on bikes in east end of Charleston neighborhood and end with a press conference
Surrogates: Sheriff Art Ashley of Kanawha County Kanawha County Prosecutor Bill Forbes Diane Reese of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Members of the West Virginia Legislature

WISCONSIN Contact: Jim Cullinan 608-257-1996
Date: Wednesday 9/18
Activity: Press Conferences 1.) Madison: Attorney General Jim Doyle, Madison Mayor Sogiln 2.) Milwaukee: Mayor Norquist 3.) Green Bay: TBD

WYOMING Contact: Ken Ulman 307-778-9600
Activity: Op-Ed’s and statements