Mother Jennifer Foxwell & Aunt Tracey Powell Take On The MD Legislation In Annapolis Part II

Sheriff Mike Lewis and Chief Gary Baker joined in suppert in Annapolis yesterday.

Jennifer brought numerous pictures of her beautiful Daughter Sarah Foxwell who was murdered in late December.
Hurry up and wait was the game we played from 7:30 AM until the bills were passed at 11:58 PM last night.

Jennifer, Tracey and Joan stood up after being announced on the Senate Floor and received a standing ovation.

Maryland Senators showed their respect with a standing ovation.

Our morning started at 7:30 AM at the Royal Farms in west Salisbury. I was joined by Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell in what we knew would be an extremely long day and an uphill battle.

As we had mentioned in previous articles, the Senate didn't want to back down from their 20 year minimum sentence and the House wouldn't go any more than 15 years. Our message, 15 YEARS WAS JUST FINE.

Considering the sex offenders are extremely pleased with the minimum of 5 years, a jump to 15 years would be a powerful statement, no chance for parole and no time off for good behavior. However, bills 254 and 622 were about to die on the floor.

Every Senator and Delegate I personally know knew what we were facing and some how, some way, Sarah Foxwell brought Jennifer Foxwell and I together Saturday evening where we openly discussed our differences and as a God Send, came together yesterday morning to help fulfill a dream so many activists had been trying to complete for many, many years.

One of the greatest people we met in Annapolis is our dear friend Joan Harris. Joan is President of Jessica's Law and has been working her tail off for many years trying to get tougher penalties against sex offenders and Joan knew these bills were about to fail.

As luck would have it, I have another dear friend back in Annapolis who I've known for too many years I'm willing to mention. Andy Berges works with Delegate Mike Smigel who has been working for many years to create legislation against sex offenders. Mike and Andy were able to connect us with our new friend Joan Harris to hold a Press Conference at the foot of the Capital Monday morning at 9:30 AM.

We were blessed to have Sheriff Mike Lewis and Chief Gary Baker from the Wicomico County Sheriff's Department join us to let our Legislators know, we accept the 15 years minimum sentence and there's never been a case that screams more for the death penalty than the Sarah Foxwell case.

Jennifer and Tracy were absolutely perfect together. Their message was loud and clear, we accept the 15 years, please pass these bills and do not let Sarah Foxwell pass in vein. They went on to state how amazed they were that our Legislators were more interested in being re-elected than they are of the safety of our children. In closing they held Governor O'Malley accountable should these bills not pass on Monday.

Some 15 News Stations showed up for this Press Conference and their message hit the air almost immediately. The next thing we knew, Delegates, Senators, the President of the Senate, the Lt. Governor and even the Governor were searching us out to get a word with us. The Press Conference paid off.

Now we had another problem. The Governor knew our Legislators were still butting heads. President of the Senate Mike Miller personally assured me twice, "Joe, these bills will pass. We'll get them done, I promise." To make a very long story short, my hat is tipped to Governor O'Malley who sat back and watched our Delegates and Senators battle this out to the very end and when Governor O'Malley saw that it may not happen, he added them to the "Governor's Bill" relieving Maryland Senators from eating crow by reducing the term from 20 years down to 15.

Governor O'Malley has gained my respect like he's never done before. While it truly is a shame our Legislators couldn't see the light on behalf of our Children, our Governor kept his word as well as President of the Senate Mike Miller.

I will be Posting several different articles about our day as I took almost 400 pictures. Tonight Salisbury News will provide the full length video of the 9:30 AM Press Conference with Jennifer Foxwell, Tracey Powell, Joan Harris and Sheriff Mike Lewis. Don't miss our 6 PM Show.

My message to Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell, I am so proud of the two of you. You carried yourselves perfectly. You represented little Sarah Foxwell with perfection and without you none of the success we witnessed yesterday would have happened and I truly believe that with all my heart.

Folks, there wasn't a Senator, Delegate, Governor and even the Lt. Governor who didn't state that to them throughout the entire day.

More to come.....