FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS June 8, 1997pr1735 REPORT TO PRESIDENT ON ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
The National Church Arson Task Force on Sunday released a one-year report to the President detailing the results of the Administration’s three-pronged response to the nation’s church arson crisis.
"A year ago today, President Clinton pledged to safeguard the religious freedom of all Americans," James E. Johnson, Treasury Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and co-chair of the Task Force, said. "As this report makes clear, the men and women of the Task Force are doing just that."
Johnson said the Task Force has been successful because of increased coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement officials.
John Dwyer, Acting Associate Attorney General, said: "These fires stirred our national conscience and threatened our common sense of sanctuary. What matters most is that we responded. We addressed the fears and apprehensions of affected communities; we have pursued the arsonists; and we have helped rebuild both the structures and the spirit of the congregations."
The report details results of the Task Force work, including:
The One Year Report to the President is available through the Public Affairs Offices of the Department of Justice (202) 616-2777 or the Department of the Treasury at (202) 622-2960 or via the Internet at www.atf.treas.gov after 7 p.m. EST.
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