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Progress made in church fire probes
January 18, 1997
Web posted at: 2:20 p.m. EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton reported Saturday on the progress made by a task force he established last June to investigate a series of arsons against churches, saying the probes have been "remarkably successful."
In his weekly radio address, Clinton said 143 arrests have been made since January 1995 in connection with 107 fires. Forty-eight people have been convicted on state and federal charges in connection with 43 fires, he said.
"This rate of arrest is double the general arrest rate for arsons -- and three-quarters of these arrests occurred during the seven months following the formation of the task force," the president said.
| Excerpts from President Clinton's Radio Address | |
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The church arsons came to light last summer amid fears that predominantly African-American churches were the main targets for the string of arsons. According to the report filed by Clinton's National Church Arson Task Force, 138 out of 328 cases of arsons and bombings against churches in 1995 and 1996 were directed at African-American institutions.
Clinton praised what he called the "tremendous outpouring of assistance" that surfaced in response to the arsons.
"People have crossed lines of faith and race and region" to respond, Clinton said. "And by doing so, they have shown us that America is still a country that cares about its neighbors."
Clinton also condemned Thursday's bombing of an Atlanta family planning clinic, calling it "another act of violent terror."
"That, too, is wrong," the president said, "and we also must stop it."
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Clinton's radio address in Shockwave streaming audio. |
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Related transcript:
- Transcript of President Clinton's weekly radio address - January 18, 1997
Related stories:
- GOP congresswoman pushes for balanced budget - January 18, 1997
- Clinton designates $6 million to fight church burnings - July 2, 1996
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