FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         DAG
FEBRUARY 2, 1995                                   (202) 616-2771
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
                            MEDIA ADVISORY

     WASHINGTON, D.C. --  On Friday, February 3, Deputy Attorney
General Jamie Gorelick will express the Justice Department's
strong opposition to legislation, part of the House Republican's
"Contract with America," that would cripple the federal
government's ability to investigate possible criminal activity.

     Gorelick will testify before the House Judiciary
Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law in Rayburn 2237
around 11:30 a.m.

     The topic of the hearing is a "Citizens' Regulatory Bill of
Rights" which would require the government to alert the targets
of both civil and criminal law enforcement that they are the
subject of investigative activity and the scope and purpose of
the investigation.  

     Gorelick will testify that such a requirement would render
wiretaps, undercover agents, and sting operations practically
useless, endanger the lives of cooperating witnesses, informants
and agents, and open the gates to widespread witness tampering,
destruction of evidence and obstruction of justice.     
     
     Her testimony will include examples of successful criminal
prosecutions that would not have been possible if perpetrators
and their counsel had been aware of the investigation from its
inception.

     The provision, Title VIII of H.R. 9, the "Job Creation and
Wage Enhancement Act of 1995," will be considered by the House
Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law at a
hearing scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., although Gorelick is
expected to testify around 11:30.  Copies of her testimony will
be available Friday morning through the Justice Department's
Office of Public Affairs. 

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95-064