Congressman Barrett Votes Against Energy Tax Increase
Congressman Barrett Votes Against Energy Tax Increase
Congressman Barrett Honors Anthony Eubanks
Congressman Barrett Honors Anthony Eubanks
Washington, DC – This evening, Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 03) delivered the following remarks on the House floor in recognition of Anthony Eubanks.
Anthony “Tony” Eubanks, a professional basketball player, collegiate basketball record holder and two-time All American. During Black History Month, I would like to recognize his efforts to mentor our Christian youth in South Carolina.
Through his professional basketball career, Tony was able to travel to the Middle East, Europe and Argentina. This travel led him to work with youth as a volunteer for Young Life, FCA and other ministries.
His ministry with FCA officially began when he served as the Urban Director in Atlanta, GA which focused on inner city ministries. Currently, he now serves as the Chaplain of the Clemson Tiger Football team and volunteers with FCA on the Clemson campus.
South Carolina is proud to have this citizen who is so truly dedicated to strengthening youth faith.
Each day, he contributes to the Pre-Game Chapels, Coaches Bible Students, Graduate Assistants Bible Studies, and other ministries to continue to make a difference in the lives of athletes, coaches and the community.
Tony is not only a leader for our youth, but also a strong role model for athletes. He asserts an honest image of athletics and Christianity – he is a true athlete for Christian Ministries.
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McMaster Announces Plan to Abolish Parole
Legislation will be Modeled on the Successful Efforts of the Federal Government and the State of Virginia
Columbia, S.C. - November 13, 2007 Attorney General Henry McMaster began a two-day trip around the state this morning to announce his effort to abolish parole in South Carolina. McMaster first visited North Charleston, and then traveled to Columbia and Greenville. A stop in Horry County is planned for tomorrow.
McMaster, long an advocate of abolishing parole, has been studying the possibility of accomplishing this goal for the state’s crime victims for over two (2) years. During that time, he has consulted with judges, victim advocates, legislators, state prison officials, and officials from the State of Virginia where the change has produced significant results.
The United States Congress eliminated parole for inmates beginning in 1987, and Virginia did the same in 1994. In Virginia, the result has been an overall reduction in that state’s prison population growth. Between 1985 and 1995, Virginia’s prison population increased by 154 percent. Between 1995 and 2004, however, the prison population grew by only 31 percent.
McMaster explained that the public’s confidence in the judicial system is damaged unnecessarily when a judge imposes a sentence on a convicted person, only to have that same convict eligible for release a short time later - after serving as little as 25 percent of their sentence.
“The public must have confidence in the criminal justice system, and that confidence is steadily eroded by parole,” said McMaster. “Abolishing parole would return a judge’s power to impose a true and meaningful sentence, and the victims of crime and the public would know what that sentence means.”
“Today, no one really knows how long a convict will actually be behind bars, and that decision is removed from the judge and placed in the hands of a nearly anonymous parole board,” McMaster explained.
A second effect of abolishing parole would be that appropriate non-violent offenders would likely receive fewer jail sentences, and would instead receive alternative sentences that would focus on education and job training, a model McMaster has described as a “Middle Court.” Currently, a number of counties already divert these kinds of offenders to similar programs through “Drug Courts.” A second law would be needed to create this program for the entire state once parole has been abolished.
The No Parole bill will be pre-filed in the House by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison (Richland), and in the Senate by Senator Larry Martin (Pickens).
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Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 3) remarks in support of the troops and their mission in Iraq
This morning Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 3) delivered the following remarks in support of the troops and their mission in Iraq:
Text of his remarks as prepared:
Mr. Speaker,
In a time of war, Americans and those risking their lives to protect our freedoms, deserve leadership not politics. As we continue to debate this non-binding resolution today we undermine the overall war on terror and all the successes we have had since we were attacked.
In the battle for Iraq mistakes have been made, but the President put forth a plan for victory that understands those mistakes and sets benchmarks to measure Iraqi involvement and success.
Those on the other side want to have it both ways. They say ‘we support our troops’ but at the same time say ‘we don’t support the war you are fighting.’ Our troops deserve better.
Either commit to their mission and bring them home victorious, or stop their funding and bring them home in defeat. Those are the choices before us.
Congress should allow time for the plan to take hold not put forth a resolution that is a clear first step toward a policy of retreat and defeat.
Mr. Speaker, there’s only one way out of Iraq, one way out of this war. Victory.
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