PRINTER'S NO. 4203
No. 811 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY WASHINGTON, GEORGE, HORSEY, KIRKLAND, JAMES AND
THOMAS, JUNE 29, 2004
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 29, 2004
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing.
2 WHEREAS, African Americans represent the majority of persons
3 incarcerated in our Federal, state and local prisons; and
4 WHEREAS, The Louisiana legislature has passed Act No. 403
5 authored by Senator Charles D. Jones during their 2003 Regular
6 Session to repeal mandatory minimum sentences for certain
7 offenses for nonviolent crimes and drug offenses; and
8 WHEREAS, Act 403 reduces the length of incarceration in the
9 penalty provisions for certain offenses; and
10 WHEREAS, Act 403 provides that certain offenses can be
11 subject to parole, probation or suspension of sentence; and
12 WHEREAS, Act 403 provides suspension of sentences for certain
13 crimes; and
14 WHEREAS, Act 403 created a Risk Review Panel; and
15 WHEREAS, The mandatory minimum sentence law is detrimental to
16 African American citizens; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge Congress to
1 create and pass a mandatory minimum sentence law on the Federal
2 level; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on Congress
4 to make the repeal of the mandatory minimum sentencing and
5 appropriate modification of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines a
6 high priority; and be it further
7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage
8 Congressional leaders to support Congressional legislation in
9 creating and passing a Federal law repealing mandatory minimum
10 sentencing.
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