Statement of Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL-2) on Governor Ryan

[softheart]

ILLINOIS:

Statement of Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL-2) on Governor Ryan
commuting the death penalty of 4 persons:

"It's good news for the four, but not necessarily for the poor - who
mostly are the recipients of the death penalty. Since Governor Ryan's
Death Penalty Commission found that the death penalty process is fatally
flawed - it can be improved, but never perfectly fixed - I'm calling on
the Governor to take the courageous next step of commuting all death row
sentences in the State of Illinois and converting them into sentences of
'life in prison without the possibility of parole.' Such action punishes
the guilty and protects society, while allowing the truly innocent to
potentially prove their innocence. That would guarantee that no innocent
person will ever be put to death in Illinois. Finally, I call on
President Bush and the Congress to support my legislation, which calls
for a national moratorium on the death penalty, so that no innocent
person is ever put to death in this country."