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Prepared text of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge's speech to the Republican National Convention in San Diego on Tuesday night.

FDCH

America, we are listening. We stand with you because you have a right to live without fear.

And Bill Clinton? He talks tough on drugs. But drug use among children is up. Drug prosecutions are down. He talks tough on crime. But violent juvenile crime has soared.

There is nothing more tragic, nor more tragically ignored by Bill Clinton, than society living in fear of its children. Teenage predators roam our streets, committing unspeakable crimes without remorse.

In western Pennsylvania, two teens murder a pizza delivery man, and then sit down and eat the pizza while its still hot. The story chills our soul.

Americans say, enough. Republicans say, enough. To the White House we say, Enough. The Republican agenda, Bob Dole's agenda, is more than V-chips, curfews and cell phones. It's conservative judges. Three strikes. And the death penalty. Republicans are smart on crime. More jobs. Better schools. Families made whole again.

In Pennsylvania, juvenile criminals are now accountable to their communities and their victims. We reach out to those we can save. But if they choose a path of violence, there are consequences, not excuses. Do an adult crime. You will do adult time.

We've put sexual predators on notice -- a Megan's law to protect our children. Greater protection for victims of domestic violence. And a rape law where "No" means no.

Most importantly, we've elevated the voice of victims, so that they have the special rights and special protections they deserve. Yet, no prosecutor, no politician can speak to crime as well as crime's victims.

A few years ago, outside Philadelphia, I met someone very special. Jan Licence is a rape survivor who surrendered her privacy to speak out on behalf of crime's victims. She gives a proud, powerful voice to the cause of victims' rights.

Ladies and gentlemen, a woman of extraordinary conviction and courage, my friend, Jan Licence.

(Copyright 1996 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)



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