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)
11 comments:
I am kneeling before God and thanking him for this law as well as those who did not give up without a fight to protect all of our children not only in the Great state Of Maryland but the others who will set the same example as Maryland for the sex offenders. May God Bless all of you and May the Fowell family find peace within their hearts knowing that Sarah Foxwell made a difference. Michele-Delmar
thank god, finally justice can be served
Joe, Thank you for your dedication to this story. From the first day Sarah went missing you have informed us of everything. You took the time to follow these bills for beginning too end .I feel your passion and drive played a very large role in the outcome.I can see that Sarah has touched you deeply.I personally want to thank you for protecting the children of Maryland. You are a wonderful and kind man ,Joe Albero.
I just shed a few tears that this wasn't done sooner. I can at least rest in hopes that this prevents any of our other precious little girls on the Eastern Shore from being harmed.
For all those responsible in making this happen , Many thanks go out to you. Mike Lewis sure lives up to his promises and Joe Albero was very instrumental in this event. You guys are alright in my book !!! Lets hope we can make this new law stick.
jennifer foxwell and her family can now have breath a lil knowing that Tommy (scum) and others like him will never see the day of light! I hope they fry his ass! Once again to the foxwells you lil princess sarah has touched the lives of so many of us. Lots of love to you all. Pat yourselves on the back! charity phippin
This is such AWESOME news!!! I am just sorry it took this lil girl die'n to get the justice that these criminals deserve to get...
Joe you have done a lot of work and so did a lot of other people to get these bills through Committee. But the Non-Eastern Shore powers in the House and Senate were going to let the bills die until the " Smart Guys" had time to write a " Acceptable Bill" this summer for the next session. The inside Skinney is that Norman Conway used his power as Chairman of his committee to convince the Gov's people to make it a Gov bill to get it passed and signed. The so called Smart Guys in Annapolis say the Bills signed were not all that well written and need a lot of modification and would of been best left until next year. Story is that O'Mally sent word that Conway was making it clear that he was going to make things hard for everybody who did not support these specific bills. He controls approiations and has the power and has shown in the past he is capable of being a great Guy and play the Hard line when necessary.
We may not love him all the time, but it sure does help to have Conway and his power, in Annapolis for us. His history has been Lower Eastern Shore First and foremost.
Great work !!!! As for Conway he has taken care of himself first and foremost. Time for change. Conway is a B.O.E. money train. Old Norm has foxed a lot of people. Sorry Norm you have lost my vote and my family as well.
amen to that message joe they better run far away from our children in maryland!
I'd be happier with the death penalty, that's not seeing the light of day. Deserve a 2nd chance? Hell no. So instead of a sex offender getting out within a year b/c of good behavior, etc, they'll get out in 15 years and have all that time to stew and get out commit some horrible crime. I know, I know, they'll be "reformed" at that time, right? No.
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