View source for Takoma Park, MD Calling for the Abolition of the Death Penalty in Maryland

{{Entity|Locale=Takoma Park|Region=MD|Country=US}}
'''Type''': Resolution

'''Status''': Introduced on 1/23/06

'''Source File''': http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/clerk/agenda/items/2006/012306-3.pdf

'''Text''':

'''RESOLUTION #2006-'''<br>
''Supporting the Adoption of State Legislation To Abolish the Death Penalty in the State of Maryland''

'''Whereas''',
a majority of nations of the world have abolished the death penalty in law or
practice; and

'''Whereas''',
each year since 1976, three countries a year have added their names to the list of
countries that have abolished the death penalty; and

'''Whereas''',
the United States continues to join a handful of nations with the highest number of
executions; and

'''Whereas''',
there are currently over 3,300 men and women on death rows in the United States;
and

'''Whereas''',
United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall pointed out, "The death
penalty is no more effective a deterrent than life imprisonment;” and

'''Whereas''',
in the United States, the death sentence is primarily carried out on the poor and the
underprivileged members of society as evidenced by the fact that the vast majority
of the defendants facing capital charges cannot afford their own attorney; and

'''Whereas''',
there is evidence of racial disparities in the imposition of the death penalty as cited
in the 1990 US General Accounting Office report that found "a pattern of evidence
indicating racial disparities in charging, sentencing and imposition of the death
penalty."

'''NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED''' that the Council of the City of Takoma Park, Maryland,
calls on Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. to reinstate the moratorium on the death penalty; and

'''BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED''' that the City Council calls on the State Legislature to abolish the
death penalty in the State of Maryland; and

'''BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED''' that copies of this Resolution be sent to our Congressional
Delegation and to President Bush urging them to support abolition of the death penalty in the
United States.

[[Category:Capital Punishment]]
[[Category:City Governments]]
[[Category:Maryland]]
[[Category:Resolutions]]
[[Category:Takoma Park]]