Takoma Park, MD Calling for the Abolition of the Death Penalty in Maryland
Takoma Park,
MD,
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-
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.