While it has taken me 20+ years to meet and get to personally know many of our Maryland Legislators, Jennifer and Tracey were able to do so in 15 hours on one day.
I have received more personal e-mail messages and phone calls on this issue than I have on any single issue we have Posted over the past 5 years. To those of you writing and calling, Thank You.
It was a very long day but it was also by far one of the most rewarding days I have ever had the pleasure to reflect upon. I'm not used to standing with our elected officials and almost begging to get them to do something that is right. In fact, after having the time to reflect upon our day in Annapolis on Monday, I'm not so sure everyone, (besides our Governor and Delegates) truly listened.
You see, this was about our children, not Jennifer Foxwell, Tracey Powell, Sheriff Mike Lewis, Joan Harris or Joe Albero. It should be noted that Joan Harris has been lobbying our Delegates, Senators and Governor for the past 6 years, all at her own expense.
November should be a time when the Eastern Shore remembers just what happened on Monday. When we were introduced on the House of Delegates and Senate Floor, many Delegates and Senators refused to stand, while most did.
Valerio and Frosh should be remembered as two individuals who refused to participate and in fact did their very best to try to get the Sex Offender Bills rejected, period. Makes you wonder if Criminal Trial Lawyers belong in politics at all. There's a conflict of interest when they're more concerned about trying to get their clients off with lesser punishments than truly putting these sick individuals away for a minimum or 15 or 20 years.
Towards the very end of our day a gentleman came up to us and introduced himself as the President of the National Bar Association and he offered his condolences to Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell. This touched them like you just wouldn't believe.
I'll close with this. I have received many phone calls from Senators and Delegates who are trying to schedule Jennifer and Tracey to be present when the actual Bills are signed by Governor O'Malley. We'll keep you posted on that progress down the road.
Joe, it takes a big man to be so forgiving to take someone who has not been kind to you to Annapolis for the day. I may not always agree with you, I may not always like you. But after that I have a whole lot of respect for you. Job well done!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to come together for the greater good. Joe is known for that.
ReplyDeleteTo err is human,
To forgive is divine.
and NO ONE is forgetting the pain Jennifer Foxwells heart holds for the regrets she has as a mother and the "wished I hadas or wished I beenas". I do admire her for fighting for this law especially putting herself in the public that picks her to pieces for not having raised Haley but giving over that to an aunt. (no matter the reasons) The public still looks at her and points the fingers at her for that reason.
ReplyDeletePoliticians are like cock roaches.
ReplyDeleteFrosh is an idiot.
ReplyDeleteWho is the woman in red in the first pic?
ReplyDeletePictures labeled with names would be nice.
ReplyDeleteTracey Powell is a class act..so glad she was there to speak on behalf of and represent Sarah Haley. She should have been the family spokesperson from the beginning. She speaks with knowledge and is articulate.
ReplyDelete