Sex Offender Bills TOP Of The List In Annapolis Yesterday

With literally hundreds of Bills waiting to be signed yesterday, Governor O'Malley and many others had their work cut out for them yesterday.

Governor O'Malley expressed his gratitude to those who showed up for the Bill Signing Ceremony, recognizing Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell sitting in the front row.

Sheriff Lewis sat beside Jennifer and Tracey to offer his support.

Mike Smiegel, Norm Conway, Jim Mathias, Sheriff Lewis, Tracey Powell and Jennifer Foxwell gather for the official signing of these sex offender bills.

Governor O'Malley officially signs the Bills into Law.

Governor O'Malley graciously hands the pen used to sign the Bills to Tracey Powell, Sarah Foxwell's Aunt.

Governor O'Malley shakes Jennifer Foxwell's hand and thanks her for being present. He went on to say how proud he was to be a part of this new legislation.

Sheriff Lewis and Tracey Powell spoke to the Press immediately after the Bills were signed. Sheriff Lewis was given several pens, (in his hand) by the Governor.

As I'm sure all of you can understand, it was a very emotional time for both Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell. It was a long hard road but at this very moment it was now over.

Thousands of people gathered at the Capitol yesterday to witness hundreds of Bills being signed.

As we left the building I wanted one last chance to take this historic picture.

Many News Stations interviewed Jennifer and Tracey. However, this one was a little more special. This Reporter took the time to share her condolences with Jennifer Foxwell and kissed her on the cheek in support, a class act.

Folks, I stated from the very beginning I would not rest until these Bills were introduced, heard, debated, tweaked and ultimately passed. While there are too many names to mention, there isn't a single Delegate on the Eastern Shore that did not fight and battle to the very end in support of these new Bills.

A lot of time was spent in Annapolis but our time was nothing compared to all the time and effort that went into drafting this legislation. To Jim Mathias, Norm Conway, Mike Smiegel, Thank You! More importantly, if it were not for Governor O'Malley stepping in at the 11th hour and taking these Bills into the Governors Bills, they would have never seen the light of day, even after every one's hard work and dedication.

Clearly these Bills were the most important Bills of the entire session because Governor O'Malley addressed them first. While we had expected to be the 16th Bill to be signed, Governor O'Malley wasted no time putting the Sex Offenders Bills right on top.

I want to also thank Sheriff Mike Lewis, Chief Gary Baker and Wicomico County States Attorney Davis Ruark for taking the time to travel to Annapolis and fulfill our goal of having these Bills passed. As mentioned in other Posts here on Salisbury News, if Sheriff Lewis and Chief Baker were not present last month knocking on Delegates and Senators doors, these Bills and or our Governor may not have recognized just how strong we all were in our passion to get them passed.

I also want to thank the MSM for gathering together that Monday morning when Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell plead to the Governor to please step in and make it happen.

Yesterday I was also very pleased to see that WBOC was present. I had to laugh when I saw their broadcast last night, (no disrespect) and there I was. In fact, when they scanned into the video screen image of the camera that was getting the best footage, that was my camera. I never intended to be in their way, I just happened to be in the front row and at the end of the isle. The rest of the Press was in the very back of the room in a roped off area making it very difficult to cover the event in any way. Even with my camera being right up front, you could clearly see that no position was an ideal position as things were very hectic.

Nevertheless, history was made yesterday. Sex Offenders are now subjected to a minimum of 15 years, no chance for parole, no time off for good behavior and screw Valario and Frosh, (criminal defense attorneys and State Delegates) for trying to stop these bills from passing. All they were concerned about was the money attorneys will lose trying to defend their clients. Now they can't defend them and now they are exposed for the scum bags that they are. Hopefully in their next run for Delegate, their constituents will throw them to the wolves and find Delegates who are more concerned for our children than they are for their LEGAL INDUSTRY.

To Delegate Jim Mathias who worked so hard, telling Jennifer Foxwell and Tracey Powell that Sarah Foxwell will not die in vain, Thank You Jim. One thing we know for sure, Delegate Mathias worked his tail off and together, all of us, as a team, made history yesterday.

To any Sex Offender reading this Post, you better find another State to run to because Maryland is about to take you off the streets, lock you up and forget you ever existed for the next 15 years.

In closing, may God Bless you little Sarah Foxwell. (Every one's Daughter of the Eastern Shore)