April 20, 2004 Letter to Representative Moran
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
April 20, 2004
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
As your constituent, I urge you to oppose the “Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act of 2003” (HR 2934) which would be an unprecedented expansion of the federal death penalty, including application under the PATRIOT Act’s overbroad definition of terrorism.
This legislation would not deter terrorists. This legislation will almost certainly have no deterrent effect on suicidal, politically-motivated terrorists such as members of Al Qaeda. Not only do these terrorists seeks death in their actions, well-publicized executions are far more likely to create a perverse incentive by giving terrorist organizations the gift of publicity – often the most important tactical goal of any terrorist action.
I believe the expansion of the death penalty under the vaguely worded “terrorism” definition of the PATRIOT Act would chill free speech. Protestors and activists from Greenpeace to Operation Rescue would risk being sentenced to death and executed for participating in civil disobedience events, such as blocking traffic or other unlawful protest activities that are now defined as “terrorism” under the PATRIOT Act, if these events resulted in a death of one of the participants or someone else.
I have also read that this bill would actually hurt the war on terror. Already, many nations in Europe and elsewhere that have abolished the death penalty are unwilling to extradite or provide evidence in federal terrorism cases if the death penalty might result from their cooperation. This bill would further limit their cooperation and participation.
Once again, I urge you to oppose HR 2934 which would expand the use of the death penalty. Given the myriad problems with the accuracy of PATRIOT Act collected data, it is far too risky to allow the government the ability to take a life based on shaky or inaccurate information.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
May 26, 2004
Mr. James Landrith
PO BOX 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306-8208
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for contacting me concerning the “Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act of 2003,” (H.R. 2934).
As you may know, the “Terrorist Penalties Enhancement Act of 2003,” (H.R. 2934) was introduced by Representative Carter on July 25, 2003. If enacted, this legislation would amend the Federal criminal code to require any person who, in the course of committing a terrorist offense, engages in conduct that results in the death of a person, to be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years including life. Currently, H.R. 2934 has been sent to the House Judiciary Committee after being favorably reported out of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
While I do not oppose the death penalty in certain circumstances, I have serious concerns with a number of provisions in the PATRIOT Act and by the overly broad way in which it has been implemented by Attorney General Ashcroft. For this reason, I cannot support H.R. 2934 at this time because it would further expand the PATRIOT Act at a time when proper oversight of the Justice Department is not being exercised. Be assured that I will keep your comments in mind and continue to closely monitor this legislation should it come before the full House for consideration,
Please feel free to visit my updated website at http://www.house.gov/moran that contains information on topics that may be of interest. Thank you again for contacting me.
Yours truly,
James P. Moran
JPM/int1