TCADP

Executions
Five executions currently are scheduled to take place in Texas this month; the April 3 execution date of Kimberly McCarthy has now been moved to June 26, 2013 upon an order from State District Judge Larry Mitchell. Those still scheduled for execution include Rigoberto Avila, whose attorneys are pursuing a claim of actual innocence. Read more on our blog and stay tuned to TCADP for information and action requests regarding these cases.

Action Opportunities
Join the Call for a New Sentencing Hearing for Duane Buck
On March 20, 2013, more than 100 prominent individuals from Texas and throughout the country, including civil rights leaders, elected officials, former prosecutors and judges, and clergy representing seven faith denominations, released a statement urging the Harris County District Attorney to provide a new, fair sentencing hearing for Texas death row inmate Duane Buck. The jury was told that Mr. Buck was more likely to pose a future danger to society because he is African American. Former Texas Governor Mark White, one of the signatories, delivered the statement to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston.  Read more.

Another signatory to the statement, Linda Geffin, one of Mr. Buck’s trial prosecutors, started an online petition on Change.org, which calls for a new, fair sentencing hearing for Mr. Buck.  Sign the petition now (if you haven’t done so already) and share it with your friends and family!

Read an editorial by the Houston Chronicle (“Race and the death sentence,” March 26, 2013), which urges Senator John Cornyn and Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson to show leadership in this matter and calls for a new sentencing hearing for Duane Buck.

Join the TCADP Social Media Rapid Response Team!
Help TCADP expand its reach and communicate important messages online!  Sign up today to be a part of the TCADP Social Media Rapid Response Team. (You don’t have to be in Texas to be helpful!) http://tcadp.org/social-media-team/

After you sign up for the Rapid Response Team, support the Duane Buck resentencing campaign on Thunderclap.  Register with your FB and Twitter accounts.  The action will take place on Wednesday! https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/1672

Watch Videos from TCADP Annual Conference Panel Discussion
Prof. James Liebman of Columbia Law School on the Carlos DeLuna case – http://youtu.be/iKrOpCfdPWM

Also airing on Austin Access TV – Live Streaming available – Video of Anthony Graves at the TCADP Annual Conference airing on Austin Access. Channel 16 – Wed April 3rd 8:00am; Channel 10 – Monday April 1st 6pm, Tues 2nd 9pm, Fri 5th 7pm. Live Streaming!

Legislative Updates
Texas 83rd Legislature Passes Halfway Mark
Members of TCADP’s Lobby Corps continue to visit the State Capitol weekly to meet with legislative offices and discuss repeal of the death penalty. Two additional legislators, State Representative Alma Allen (District 131–Houston) and State Representative Lon Burnam (District 90–Fort Worth) have signed on with State Representative Jessica Farrar as joint authors of House Bill 1703, which calls for abolition of the death penalty.   Please thank these legislators for their leadership: Jessica.farrar@house.state.tx.us, lon.burnam@house.state.tx.us and alma.allen@house.state.tx.us. We expect the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee to schedule a hearing on HB 1703 in the coming weeks.

Read about other legislative initiatives aimed at limiting the application of the death penalty and reducing the risk of wrongful convictions in an editorial by the Dallas Morning News (“With death penalty bans gaining steam, what’s next for Texas?” March 21, 2013).

Maryland Ends the Death Penalty!
On the national front, on March 15, 2013, Maryland’s House of Delegates voted 82-56 to end the death penalty. This followed passage in the Maryland Senate earlier in the month, by a vote of 27-20. The bill will go to Governor Martin O’Malley, who has already promised to sign it and make it law. In doing so, Maryland will become the sixth state in six years to end the death penalty. Read more from the Baltimore Sun.

Right next door, the Delaware Senate voted 11-10 on March 26, 2013 in favor of legislation repealing the death penalty. The bill now moves to the House for consideration, where it has 12 bipartisan sponsors. Read more.

In the News – New Voices on the Death Penalty
New Group Questions the Alignment of the Death Penalty with Conservative Principles
A diverse group of state and national leaders gathered at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) to launch a new entity, Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. This self-described “national network of conservatives questioning the alignment of capital punishment with conservative principles” includes Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, and Richard Viguerie, known as the “Funding Father” of the conservative movement, and TCADP Board Member Pat Monks, a long-time Republican Precinct Chair in Houston. Read some of the media coverage of this new group here and here.

If you would like to become involved in conservative outreach efforts in Texas, please contact TCADP Program Coordinator Vicki McCuistion at info@tcadp.org.

Former District Attorney of Montague County, Texas Asks Whether the State Needs to Take a Life to Make a Point
The March issue of Texas Monthly magazine features a personal essay by Tim Cole, who served four terms as the District Attorney of Montague, County (“The Death Penalty Has a Face: A DA’s Personal Story,” March 18, 2013), in which he discusses his personal experience with a local death penalty case. He writes, “Over the years I have come to believe that the time for the death penalty has passed. As more and more states abolish the sentence, or declare moratoriums on carrying it forward, the death penalty will be given less and less until the day comes when the state no longer needs to take a life to make a point.” Read the essay.

Featured Events
April 11: Sister Helen Prejean in Fort Worth
Texas Wesleyan University is proud to present for its 2013 Willson Lecture, Sister Helen Prejean, on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the Polytechnic United Methodist Church Sanctuary (church on campus at 1310 S. Collard St, Fort Worth, 76105). The lecture is free and open to the public and there will be a book sale/signing immediately after.  Learn more. Sister Prejean is the author of Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the U.S. and The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions.

April 13: Texas State Meeting of Amnesty International USA
The 2013 Texas State Meeting of Amnesty International USA will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm at the University of Texas-Austin Student Activity Center. TCADP Board Member Les Breeding will lead a workshop on Lobbying 101.  Other workshop topics include Human Rights 101, Texas Death Penalty Abolition, and Immigrant Rights. For more information and to RSVP, go to http://texasstatemeeting.eventbrite.com or email Savannah Fox at sfox@aiusa.org.

May 1: Webinar – Addressing the Needs of Victims in Death Penalty Cases: The Role and Responsibility of the Defense
with Tammy Krause, Kelly Branham and Dick Burr
What application does restorative justice have in the highly-charged, adversarial context of death penalty cases? Is it possible to do more to engage the families of homicide victims in these cases and in doing so, to help address their needs? What can and should the defense team do in these situations? This webinar will take place from 3:30-5:00 PM Central Daylight Time (USA) and cost $10.  Registration is limited to the first 100 registrants, so sign up today!

Calendar

April
2-4: National Catholic Educational Association Conference, Houston
3: Scheduled Execution: Kimberly McCarthy
6: Pax Christi Texas Conference, Houston; Texas Junior State of America, Houston
9: Scheduled Execution: Rickey Lewis
10: Scheduled Execution: Rigoberto Avila, Jr.
11: Sister Helen Prejean at Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, 7:00pm
13: Texas State Meeting of Amnesty International USA, Austin 10:30am
15: El Paso Chapter Meeting, 7:00pm, elpaso@tcadp.org
16: Scheduled Execution: Ronnie Threadgill
17: Dallas Religious Organizing Committee 6:00pm, Chapter meeting 7:00pm, dallas@tcadp.org
24: Scheduled Execution: Elroy Chester
25: Scheduled Execution: Richard Cobb

For more information about these events or to volunteer to staff a table at an outreach event, email info@tcadp.org.

Support all of the programs and initiatives described here with a generous donation to TCADP today!

TCADP is on Facebook – become a Fan today!  On Twitter, follow us!  And on LinkedIn – Join Us!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            
Wednesday, February 20, 2013                       

CONTACT: Kristin Houlé, TCADP Executive Director
512-441-1808 (office); 512-552-5948 (cell); khoule@tcadp.org

Abolitionists Gather in Austin for Annual Conference

Local filmmakers to receive 2013 Media Award

(Austin, Texas) — More than 150 activists and supporters from across Texas will gather this Saturday, February 23, 2013 at St. Edward’s University in Austin for the annual conference of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP).  This event, “Changing the Conversation,” will feature workshops and a panel discussion on how instances of wrongful convictions and evidence of wrongful executions are changing the conversation on the death penalty.  Panelists include:

• Karen Boudrie, an award-winning journalist, news director, and public relations consultant who covered the capital trial of Carlos DeLuna in Corpus Christi in 1983 and was the last person to speak with him before his wrongful execution in 1989;
• Anthony Graves, a motivational speaker and legal consultant who spent 18 years in prison, including 12.5 years on death row, before being exonerated in 2010;
• Professor James Liebman, Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Law, Columbia University School of Law, and the lead author of Los Tocayos Carlos: An Anatomy of a Wrongful Execution

TCADP Board Member Estrus Tucker, an independent consultant from Fort Worth, will moderate the discussion.

During the conference, TCADP will present the 2013 Media Award to Joe Bailey, Jr. and Steve Mims, the filmmakers behind “Incendiary,” a 2011 documentary about the case of Cameron Todd Willingham.  Willingham was executed in 2004 for setting a fire in 1991 in Corsicana that killed his three young daughters.  Serious questions persist regarding his culpability.  “Incendiary” exposes the political manipulation of the Texas Forensic Science Commission as it sought to determine whether flawed forensic science played a role in Willingham’s conviction and ultimate execution.

TCADP will present Appreciation Awards to JC Dufresne, of Cibolo, Texas, who played an instrumental role in the Texas Democratic Party’s decision to endorse abolition of the death penalty in its 2012 Party Platform, and to the members of the Methodist Federation for Social Action-Southwest Texas Chapter, for their years of involvement and ongoing contributions to the abolition movement.

“The theme of this year’s conference reflects our conviction that it is no longer a question of whether we should or will end the death penalty but, rather, what it will take to hasten its demise,” said Kristin Houlé, the Executive Director of TCADP.  “We encourage all elected officials in Texas to engage with us in this important conversation and evaluate the impact of the death penalty on our counties and the state as a whole.”

The 2013 TCADP Annual Conference, co-sponsored by Campus Ministry of St. Edward’s University, will take place in the Mabee Ballroom, which is located on the Third Floor of the Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center at St. Edward’s University, 3001 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78704, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  The awards ceremony will take place from 12:30 to 2:00 PM.  All are welcome.

For more information, visit http://tcadp.org/what-we-do/annual-conference/.

TCADP is a statewide, grassroots advocacy organization based in Austin.

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Register today to Change the Conversation! 

Join us for the TCADP 2013 Annual Conference – Changing the Conversation – on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.  Download flyer with more details (workshop titles, hotel, schedule) and share! (Register before February 1 for a reduced rate!)

 

Annual Award Winners:

Please make plans to join us in celebrating these extraordinary individuals and organizations!

Appreciation: JC Dufresne, who played an instrumental role in the Texas Democratic Party’s decision to endorse abolition of the death penalty in its 2012 Platform.

Appreciation: Methodist Federation for Social Action-Southwest Texas Chapter, for their years of involvement and ongoing contributions to the abolition movement.

 

Media: Joe Bailey, Jr. and Steve Mims (pictured), Filmmakers of “Incendiary”, a documentary about the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2004 despite serious flaws in the forensic science used to convict him and doubts about his guilt.

 

Read more about the winners.

 

Exhibitors/Advertisers:  We invite individuals and organizations to place an ad in the conference program to promote your work and congratulate the award winners.  We also invite you to exhibit at the conference, or sponsor a table at the awards luncheon. Download  Exhibitor – Advertiser Form.

 

Panel Discussion:  In addition to the annual awards luncheon, the conference will feature a plenary session on how instances of wrongful convictions and evidence of wrongful executions are changing the conversation on the death penalty. Confirmed panelists are:

• Karen Boudrie, an award-winning journalist, news director, and public relations consultant who covered the trial of Carlos DeLuna in Corpus Christi in 1983 and was the last person to speak with him before his wrongful execution in 1989;
• Anthony Graves, a motivational speaker and legal consultant who spent 12.5 years on death row before being exonerated in 2010; and
• Professor James Liebman, Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Law, Columbia University School of Law, and the lead author of Los Tocayos Carlos: An Anatomy of a Wrongful Execution

Pre-register for the conference today and book your hotel by February 1!  Special rates are available for TCADP members and students.

Calendar

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Executions

The State of Texas executed 15 people this year. Five executions already have been scheduled for 2013.

Announcements

TCADP Announces Annual Award Winners!

The TCADP Board of Directors is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2013 TCADP Annual Awards.  These individuals and organizations will be recognized at the TCADP 2013 Annual Conference – Changing the Conversation – on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.  Please make plans to join us in celebrating these extraordinary individuals and organizations!

Appreciation: JC Dufresne, who played an instrumental role in the Texas Democratic Party’s decision to endorse abolition of the death penalty in its 2012 Platform.

Appreciation: Methodist Federation for Social Action-Southwest Texas Chapter, for their years of involvement and ongoing contributions to the abolition movement.

Media: Joe Bailey, Jr. and Steve Mims (pictured), Filmmakers of “Incendiary”, a documentary about the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2004 despite serious flaws in the forensic science used to convict him and doubts about his guilt.

Read more about the winners.

We invite individuals and organizations to place an ad in the conference program to promote your work and congratulate the award winners.  We also invite you to exhibit at the conference, or sponsor a table at the awards luncheon. Download  Exhibitor – Advertiser Form.

In addition to the annual awards luncheon, the conference will feature a plenary session on how instances of wrongful convictions and evidence of wrongful executions are changing the conversation on the death penalty. Confirmed panelists are:

• Karen Boudrie, an award-winning journalist, news director, and public relations consultant who covered the trial of Carlos DeLuna in Corpus Christi in 1983 and was the last person to speak with him before his wrongful execution in 1989;
• Anthony Graves, a motivational speaker and legal consultant who spent 12.5 years on death row before being exonerated in 2010; and
• Professor James Liebman, Simon H. Rifkind Professor of Law, Columbia University School of Law, and the lead author of Los Tocayos Carlos: An Anatomy of a Wrongful Execution

Pre-register for the conference today and book your hotel by February 1!  Special rates are available for TCADP members and students.

Coming Soon: TCADP’s Year-End Report – Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2012

What Texas County accounts for the most death sentences in the last five years? Who received stays of execution in 2012? What U.S. Supreme Court cases are impacting death row inmates in Texas? All of these questions will be addressed in TCADP’s forthcoming annual report, Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2012: The Year in Review. More details will be sent to you the week of December 10. Previous reports are available online.

Remember TCADP in Your Year-End Giving!

Check your mailboxes for TCADP’s year-end appeal, which includes reflections on another momentous year for our movement to end the death penalty. We are grateful for the contributions that so many of you have made already this year and ask for your additional support so that TCADP can continue to engage the citizens of Texas – and our elected officials – in the conversation about the death penalty. Save a stamp by making an end-of-the-year, tax-deductible donation today using our secure online system! Thank you for your support and generosity.

Complete a TCADP Member Survey Today!

Thank you so much for completing this survey for TCADP.  This information, which will be kept confidential, will help us better respond to the needs of our supporters and also utilize your gifts to further our mission of ending the death penalty.

The survey is online at  www.tcadp.org/member-survey/. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions or comments, please be in touch with the TCADP office at 512-441-1808 or info@tcadp.org.

Upcoming Events

December 4: A  Faithful Conversation on the Death Penalty with Dallas Faith Leaders
On Tuesday, December 4 at 7 PM at Paul Quinn College in South Dallas, Dallas area faith leaders will join together for an in-depth conversation about faith and the death penalty. Learn who is coming, RSVP today for your free tickets, and download a flier for sharing and posting!

Fundraiser for The Last 40 Miles

On December 12, 2012, a group of filmmakers in Austin will premiere the trailer for their animated short, The Last 40 Miles, which follows a Texas death row inmate on his final journey from death row in Livingston to the execution chamber in Huntsville. A fundraising event will take place at the Palm Door event center, 401 Sabine St., Austin, Texas at 7 PM. For more information, go to www.40milesmovie.com.

In the News

110 Nations Endorse Abolition

On November 19, 2012, a record 110 countries voted in support of a resolution calling for the abolition of the death penalty during a committee meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. This was up from 107 votes in favor of the resolution two years ago, the last time the UN considered it. Among the 39 countries that voted in opposition to the non-binding resolution are the United States, Japan, China, Iran, India, North Korea, Syria, and Zimbabwe. Thirty-six countries abstained. Read more from the UN.

Calendar

December

1 Death Row Holiday Card Write-a-thon, SMU Dallas, 11:00-4:00, dallas@tcadp.org

4 “A Faithful Conversation on the Death Penalty with Dallas Faith Leaders” Paul Quinn College, Dallas, 7:00pm  RSVP for free tickets today!

6 TCADP Table at Dallas Peace Center Annual Peacemakers Dinner

7 30^th Anniversary of the Resumption of Executions in Texas

10 International Human Rights Day

12 Release of TCADP’s Annual Report (scheduled)

17 El Paso Chapter Meeting, 7 PM, St Piux X Catholic Church, elpaso@tcadp.org

19 Dallas Religious Organizing committee 6:00pm, Chapter meeting 7:00pm, dallas@tcadp.org

January

8 83rd Session of the Texas Legislature Convenes at Noon

February

1 Last Day to Receive TCADP Annual Conference Registration Early Bird Rates; Last Day to Book Block Rate Hotel rooms for TCADP Annual Conference

For more information about these events or to volunteer to staff a table at an outreach event, email info@tcadp.org.

Support all of the programs and initiatives described here with a generous donation to TCADP today

TCADP is on Facebook – become a Fan today!  On Twitter, follow us!  And on LinkedIn – Join Us!

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October 12: Faithful Considerations: A Discussion with Sr. Helen Prejean and Austin Faith Leaders
On Friday, October 12 at 7 PM at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Sister Helen Prejean will join Rev. John Elford of University United Methodist Church and Rev. Nestor Menjivar of Iglesia Bautista Principe de Paz of Austin for an in-depth conversation about faith and the death penalty.  RSVP today for your free tickets, and download a flier for sharing and posting!

October 10: World Day Against the Death Penalty

The Houston Chapter of TCADP, along with the Houston Peace and Justice Center, Pax Christi Houston, Amnesty International Group 23, the ACLU of Texas and other organizations will observe World Day Against the Death Penalty by holding a press conference and two-hour vigil in front of the Harris County Courthouse starting at 11 am.  Featured speakers include Anthony Graves and Dr. Linda White. Contact Dave Atwood at dpatwood@igc.org for more information.

 

October 25: Garden Party in Fort Worth

On Thursday, October 25, 2012, Gayland Pool and Katie Sherrod will host visitors for wine, cheese, and inspiring company in their renowned Chapel Garden, a forested treasure located minutes from downtown Ft. Worth. Featured speakers, including State Representative Lon Burnam and TCADP Executive Director Kristin Houlé, will present recent developments in the movement to end the use of the death penalty. Proceeds from this event will support TCADP’s statewide outreach and educational programs. RSVP today!

 

October 27-28: Texas Book Festival to Feature Memoir by Damien Echols

Known as one of the “West Memphis Three,” Damien Echols spent 18 years on death row in Arkansas for a crime he didn’t commit. Released last August as part of an Alford Plea, Damien has now written a memoir, Life After Death, which was released last month. He will participate in the Texas Book Festival at the State Capitol in Austin on October 27 and 28. Stay tuned for more details!

 

Announcements

Calendar

Support all of the programs and initiatives described here with a generous donation to TCADP today!

TCADP is on Facebook – become a Fan today!  On Twitter, follow us!  And on LinkedIn – Join Us!

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The TCADP Board of Directors is pleased to announce the following 2012 TCADP Annual Award Winners, who will be recognized at the 2012 TCADP Annual Conference – Seizing the Momentum… Creating the Climate for Change on February 18, 2012  at the University of the Incarnate Word Sky Room.  Please make plans to join us in celebrating these extraordinary individuals!  You are also invited to congratulate the award winners by placing an ad in the conference program – Download Form.

Jan Brown – Courage Award

Jan Brown is a murder victim family member who opposes the death penalty. Her 9 1/2 year-old daughter, Kandy, was kidnapped and murdered in 1987. The offender was sentenced to death and executed 12 years later.

Jan bravely shared her story with the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on March 22, 2011 in testifying against Senate Bill 377, which expanded the scope of the death penalty to those who murder children under 10 years of age (the previous statute applied to the murder of children under age 6). Not only is it extremely difficult for family members to share these personal stories of tragedy and loss – the worst experiences of their lives – but to do so in such a public setting, surrounded by strangers and elected officials, and in the context of opposing a bill that expands the death penalty for those who kill children, took tremendous courage.

Jan’s testimony, and her public stance on this bill, took many legislators by surprise and powerfully demonstrated that murder victim family members are not monolithic and hold varying opinions on our society’s response to violent crime.

Jordan Smith, Austin Chronicle – Media Award

Jordan Smith is a staff writer for the Austin Chronicle who provides consistent, in-depth, and fair treatment of the death penalty and other criminal justice issues in that weekly publication.  The Board seeks to recognize Jordan’s coverage of the case of Larry Swearingen in 2011 and her recent article, “Perry the Executioner” (September 16, 2011), which sheds a light on Governor Rick Perry’s role in the clemency process and his record on the death penalty in general.

See more of her work at http://www.austinchronicle.com/authors/jordan-smith/.

Brother Brian Halderman – Appreciation Award

Brother Brian Halderman is the University Minister for Social Justice at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas; he also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Sociology Department.  The Board presents him with this award in recognition of his tremendous support for the Religious Leaders Dialogue on the Death Penalty in San Antonio (October 2011) and his overall support for and participation in the Bexar County Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty.  The Board also would like to acknowledge Brother Brian’s history of involvement with the abolition movement and his facilitation of the close relationship between  TCADP and the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative and Marianist Province of the U.S.  (Brother Brian pictured with Marietta Jaeger Lane of the Journey of Hope.)

Kelly Epstein – Appreciation Award

Kelly Epstein is a long-time TCADP member and  activist in the abolition movement.  The Board particularly would like to acknowledge Kelly’s involvement in all of the activities of TCADP’s Houston Chapter, including numerous tabling events each year, as well as her participation in TCADP’s Donor Development Committee, through which she provided valuable feedback on the creation of our Partner for Justice online giving program and other ideas for increasing donations to the organization. We could go on and on about all of Kelly’s outstanding contributions to TCADP over the years!  (Kelly is pictured with Shirley Farrell-left and Nancy Bailey-right at the TCADP Champions of Justice event in Houston on September 15, 2011.)

Bishop Joe Wilson – TCADP Founder’s Award

Bishop Joe Wilson, retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church, is a persistent voice for justice on multiple issues who works  to raise awareness and advocate for change. Bishop Joe Wilson expressed concern about Karla Faye Tucker’s scheduled execution in 1998, and then again in 2000 to then-Governor George Bush about the high number of executions in Texas.  He has been a steadfast supporter of TCADP for many years and can always be counted on to participate in clergy-focused efforts.

On February 16, 2011, Bishop Joe Wilson represented nearly 100 faith leaders who joined a sign-on letter calling for mercy for Timothy Adams, who was executed by the State of Texas on February 22, 2011. Bishop Wilson participated in a press conference at the Capitol, along with members of the Adams’ family, attorneys, and clergy, and eloquently spoke on behalf of the religious leaders around the state who believed that Tim Adams deserved clemency.  His presence and participation in that event provided great comfort and kindness to the Adams’ family.

As the result of his involvement in this effort, Bishop Wilson wrote an op-ed, “Why Must a Good Man Die,” which was published by the Georgetown paper and shared with many others.

Bishop Wilson also stayed with TCADP staff and members for more than 9 hours at the Capitol on March 29, 2011, when the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee conducted a hearing on HB 819, the abolition bill. His testimony on the death penalty from a faith perspective was critically important for the committee members to hear.

Bishop Wilson’s assistance with the Timothy Adams’ clemency campaign was invaluable and his participation in the HB 819 committee hearing went above and beyond the call of duty.

Bishop Joe Wilson is a graduate of Southwestern University (‘59).  He spent his years of ministry as a Pastor in the Texas Conference prior to being elected Bishop and serving as Bishop to the Central Texas Conference.  Bishop Wilson currently serves as Bishop-in-Residence at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

The Dave Atwood Founder’s Award, established in 2010, serves to recognize those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the cause of ending the death penalty.   This award was presented to Reverend Carroll Pickett in 2011.

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In this issue:

Upcoming Events

March 8 – TCADP Lobby Day – HB 819 On Tuesday, March 8, TCADP members will gather at the State Capitol to lobby on behalf of House Bill 819, which calls for repeal of the Texas death penalty.  State Representatives Jessica Farrar and Marisa Marquez authored the bill; it has been referred to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.   Here’s the schedule for Lobby Day:

10:00 -11:30      Preparation / Training in the Extension, Room E2.106

11:30 – 12:30    Lunch at the Capitol Grill (Dutch Treat)

12:30 – 3:30     Visit Your Legislator (TCADP can help set up meetings) and Debrief with TCADP staff   RSVP for the TCADP Lobby Day today!

If you can’t join us in Austin, but want to participate in Lobby Day from home, here are actions you can take to support HB 819:

1. Telephone your State Representative and tell him/her:
   • you support repeal of the death penalty in Texas, and
   • you support H.B. 819.
2. Ask your Representative to support a full committee hearing on H.B. 819.

More information on contacting your lawmakers, including talking points, is available. If you do not know who your State Representative is, you can find out at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/. You can follow the progress of H.B. 819 at http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB819.

Now is the time to make your voice heard by your elected Representative. Please participate in Lobby Day in person at the Capitol or from home. Let TCADP know the results of your conversation by using the Legislator Tracking Sheet, now online!

News

TCADP Annual Conference – Seizing the Momentum… Advancing Statewide Vision Through Local Action The 2011 conference was a great success with informative workshops, a great panel discussion, and an inspiring awards ceremony.  TCADP supporters came together from across the state (and even Canada!) to seek ways to move this issue in their hometowns and thus support TCADP’s statewide goal of repeal of the death penalty.

See photos from the conference! Pictured:  Anthony Graves and his Mom after receiving the TCADP Courage award; they truly inspired all of us!   Save the date for the 2012 Annual Conference in San Antonio: February 18, 2012!

Religious Leaders Dialogue on the Death Penalty TCADP cosponsored an unprecedented event in Houston with seven high-level religious leaders and Sister Helen Prejean!  More than 500 people representing diverse faith traditions RSVPd and attended the event.   Videos of the panelists’ remarks can be found on the TCADP Religious Outreach page. Thank you, Art Browning, for filming the event!  

Calendar
March

5 Legislative Training hosted by the TCADP Dallas chapter, RSVP

6 Odessa Chapter Meeting, 4:00pm, odessa@tcadp.org

8 TCADP Lobby Day, State Capitol; Austin

12 Film Showing – Incendiary: The Willingham Case, 4:30PM Paramount Theater, 713 Congress

13 Activist Workshop, 1:00 to 4:00pm, at the Quarry’s Whole Foods,255 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, 78209, in the Alamo Quarry classroom. RSVP and more info on the San Antonio Training.

14-18 Alternative Spring Break, More Info.

15 Activist Workshop, 4:00 to 7:00p.m. at Terrazas Library Branch, 1105 East César Chávez St., Austin, 78702. For more info and to RSVP for the Austin Training.

16 Dallas Chapter meeting, 7:00pm, dallas@tcadp.org

17 Film Showing – Incendiary: The Willingham Case, 12:00pm – Rollins Theater

19 Film Showing – Incendiary: The Willingham Case, 5:30pm – Rollins Theater

21 El Paso Chapter Meeting,  6:00pm, elpaso@tcadp.org

23-24 Juan Melendez Speaker’s Tour in Odessa

If you are on Facebook become a fan of TCADP today!

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