[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 36 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STATEMENT APPLAUDING THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE STATE OF 
                                ILLINOIS

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2011

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the enactment 
of Illinois Senate Bill 3539, which abolishes the death penalty in 
Illinois. As a lifelong resident of Illinois, I want to thank Governor 
Quinn and each and every state legislator who courageously voted for 
this important bill.
  I strongly oppose the death penalty because I have always believed 
that the government should never take a person's life as punishment for 
a crime. This is especially true in our judicial system which is 
wrought with inequity and unfairness that can lead to the conviction of 
innocent people. In fact, since 1977, 20 people sentenced to death in 
the state of Illinois were ultimately exonerated. This is a shameful 
record that troubles me deeply. Imagine if any of these persons were 
executed before evidence could be presented to prove their innocence.
  The enactment of Senate Bill 3539 in Illinois is a tremendous step 
forward for justice. Already, Illinois had set an important example for 
the rest of the country, when in 2000, it placed a moratorium on the 
use of the death penalty. Today, with the stroke of his pen Governor 
Quinn has helped turn the tide against the use of capital punishment in 
America and I sincerely hope that other states will soon follow.
  Mr. Speaker, the existence of the death penalty is not necessary to 
ensure that the most heinous crimes go punished and I will continue to 
fight for a fair justice system that does not use death as a means of 
achieving justice.

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