Foreword

To the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled:

This Annual Report highlights the accomplishments of the Department of Justice in 1995. It reflects the dedication and expertise of the employees of the Department and their commitment to the principles of justice and fair treatment for all Americans.

In 1995, we marshalled our law enforcement resources to make America safe, by attacking crime and violence and the associated drugs and gangs permeating our country. Our employees used their expertise to provide assistance in the wake of violence. Within hours of the tragic bombing of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Department employees were on the scene working with other agencies in the investigation of this case which led to the Federal indictment of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

With the resources gained in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, we implemented new strategies and priorities in programs to prevent crime and violence, with an emphasis on protecting women, youth and our Indian population. The ban on assault weapons keeps instruments of crime out of the hands of those who use them only for criminal purposes.

In 1995 the Community Oriented Policing Services program exceeded all expectations by awarding grants to State and local law enforcement agencies to put more than 25,000 officers on the streets -- a quarter of the President's six-year goal in only one year's time. Today, our Federal law enforcement agencies are actively involved in working with each other and with State and local officers to stem the tide of crime and violence perpetrated on our citizens.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service increased border protection, streamlined its services, and reduced backlogs, in its work to control the influx of illegal immigration while protecting those who seek to enter legally.

We achieved major legal successes in enforcing the civil rights of minorities and persons with disabilities, in protecting and restoring our environment, and in enforcing our antitrust laws. We continued our efforts to make government operate efficiently and respond to our citizens' needs.

In 1996 we will continue our commitment to the American people, using our resources wisely to reach the goal of making America a safe and a free and just society.

Respectfully submitted,
Janet Reno


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