Clinton Announces Sex Offender Registry

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Aug. 24) -- President Clinton announced Saturday a plan to establish a national registry to keep track of sex offenders in all 50 states.

"Deadly criminals don't stay within state lines, so neither should law enforcement's tools to stop them," the president said in his weekly radio address. (73K WAV sound)

The computerized registry, Clinton said, would be fed by state registries and administered by the FBI. It is the final piece of a three-part plan to curb sexual predation.

"First our crime bill required every state in the nation to keep track of sex offenders," Clinton said. "... Second, I signed 'Megan's law' which requires states to notify communities when sex offenders move into the neighborhood."

The new computer system would be in place in six months, Clinton said.

"This national registry sends a simple message to those who would prey on our children," he said. "The law will follow you wherever you go." (98K WAV sound)

Saturday's announcement ended a week of high profile activity for the president, just prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention. Earlier this week, Clinton signed bills making health insurance more accessible, increasing the minimum wage, and overhauling welfare. He also announced a new plan to curb teenage smoking.

Clinton will board a train in two days for a whistle-stop trip to the convention in Chicago.

Related story:

• President Clinton's Weekly Radio Address - August 24, 1996

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