Post by sclcookie on Jun 2, 2006 1:28:09 GMT -5
Death penalty for repeat child molesters clears Okla. legislature
The original author of Oklahoma legislation to allow the death penalty for
repeat child molesters is now only one step away from seeing the proposal
signed into law.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm, has pressed for passage of the legislation for the
entire 2006 session. "This has been a long struggle, with many twists and
turns," he said. "Now, working with lawmakers of both parties and in both
the Senate and House of Representatives, we are close to victory."
Gumm, himself a new father, originally introduced Senate Bill 1747 early
this year, and the proposal received national attention. That measure
passed the Senate but died in the House of Representatives when a
committee chair refused to hear the bill.
Gumm also amended House bills to include the language. In every case, the
proposal was rejected by the Republican House leadership. Not giving up,
Gumm continued to look for bills into which the death penalty provisions
would fit.
As the 2006 session neared its end, Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman,
offered a bill he wrote as one to include the death penalty language. Gumm
quickly agreed. That measure - Senate Bill 1800 - has now passed the
Senate and House overwhelmingly and is on its way to Gov. Brad Henry's
desk.
"I appreciate Senator Nichols' essential help in passing this important
bill," Gumm said. "Senator Nichols was a supporter from the beginning, and
we would not be this close to victory without his help."
If signed by the governor, SB 1800 will make Oklahoma one of the first
states to enact the death penalty for repeat child molesters. A similar
bill is making its way through the South Carolina Legislature, and
Louisiana has such a law on the books.
Gumm said government has no greater moral obligation than to ensure the
safety of its children. "We allow the death penalty for someone who has
killed a body. Why would we allow someone to escape who has killed a
soul?" he asked.
"Predators with multiple convictions for child molestation have proven
they will continue to prey on Oklahoma's children until they are stopped.
This bill will stop them, and send a powerful message that in Oklahoma, we
will protect our children with the most powerful weapon we have."
In the final Senate debate on the bill, one lawmaker opposed the bill,
suggesting "the healing power of forgiveness" is more important than
imposing the death penalty.
Gumm countered by saying that forgiveness is impossible without justice.
"This bill provides justice for those who would prey on our children," he
said. "The death penalty is a punishment that is proportional to this most
heinous of crimes."
Governor Henry has until June 10 to sign the bill.
(source: The Herald Democrat)
The original author of Oklahoma legislation to allow the death penalty for
repeat child molesters is now only one step away from seeing the proposal
signed into law.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm, has pressed for passage of the legislation for the
entire 2006 session. "This has been a long struggle, with many twists and
turns," he said. "Now, working with lawmakers of both parties and in both
the Senate and House of Representatives, we are close to victory."
Gumm, himself a new father, originally introduced Senate Bill 1747 early
this year, and the proposal received national attention. That measure
passed the Senate but died in the House of Representatives when a
committee chair refused to hear the bill.
Gumm also amended House bills to include the language. In every case, the
proposal was rejected by the Republican House leadership. Not giving up,
Gumm continued to look for bills into which the death penalty provisions
would fit.
As the 2006 session neared its end, Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman,
offered a bill he wrote as one to include the death penalty language. Gumm
quickly agreed. That measure - Senate Bill 1800 - has now passed the
Senate and House overwhelmingly and is on its way to Gov. Brad Henry's
desk.
"I appreciate Senator Nichols' essential help in passing this important
bill," Gumm said. "Senator Nichols was a supporter from the beginning, and
we would not be this close to victory without his help."
If signed by the governor, SB 1800 will make Oklahoma one of the first
states to enact the death penalty for repeat child molesters. A similar
bill is making its way through the South Carolina Legislature, and
Louisiana has such a law on the books.
Gumm said government has no greater moral obligation than to ensure the
safety of its children. "We allow the death penalty for someone who has
killed a body. Why would we allow someone to escape who has killed a
soul?" he asked.
"Predators with multiple convictions for child molestation have proven
they will continue to prey on Oklahoma's children until they are stopped.
This bill will stop them, and send a powerful message that in Oklahoma, we
will protect our children with the most powerful weapon we have."
In the final Senate debate on the bill, one lawmaker opposed the bill,
suggesting "the healing power of forgiveness" is more important than
imposing the death penalty.
Gumm countered by saying that forgiveness is impossible without justice.
"This bill provides justice for those who would prey on our children," he
said. "The death penalty is a punishment that is proportional to this most
heinous of crimes."
Governor Henry has until June 10 to sign the bill.
(source: The Herald Democrat)
