When considering and passing legislation, my sole motivation ha5 always been to make our laws better

and help those who seek justice. The fact that I am an attorney as well as a lawmaker is crucial to that
mission.
I am associated with a law firm that has litigated thousands of cases over many years. That association
has never played a role in the decisions I have made or the legislation I have voted on.
As someone who has dedicated my life to making our states judicial system better and more
responsive, I am disheartened that opponents would try to attack my motives by bringing up a decadeold case in which I had no personal involvement, in a state in which I hold no license to practice
law. Unlike the people raising this issue, I do not stand to gain or lose anything by the enactment of this
bill.
To the extent that anyone suggests that I am improperly biased on this issue, they completely ignore my
legislative record. In my 38 years in the General Assembly, and over 25 years as Chairman of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, I have worked hard to provide a fair and comprehensive review of issues coming
before me. My record shows that I undertake a thorough and often exhaustive review of issues, listen
to all sides, and work to develop solid legislation that will stand up to constitutional challenges.
In particular, I have authored more legislation to protect victims of sexual assault, especially children,
than anyone else in the Capitol. Some examples include:
Act 105 of 2014 which cracks down on Human Trafficking, and provides protections to its victims.
Act 87 of 2004 allowing child witnesses in abuse cases to testify via videotape --to save them the
trauma of court proceedings.
Act 86 of 2002 Statute of Limitations (Child Sexual Abuse) Enables a victim of childhood sexual abuse
to bring civil action until 12 years after age 18 (Senate Bill 212). The measure also extends the criminal
statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses up to 12 years after the offense or 12 years after the
child turns age 18. (Senate Bill 415)
Act 14 of 2000 Sexual exploitation of children Prohibits the procurement of children for sexual
exploitation; a second degree felony. (Senate Bill 383)
Act 24 of 1995 and Act 18 of 2000 Megans Law requiring sex offenders to register with law
enforcement and revisions to strengthen that law.
Act 10 of 1995 defining rape as no means no eliminating the requirement that force must be used
by the perpetrator in order for it to be rape.
Act 49 of 1985 Statute of Limitations on Child Abuse Extends the period of legal recourse for abused
children by extending the statute of limitations in crimes against those under 18. (Senate Bill 183)

As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee it is my job to fairly resolve difficult decisions, based on my four
decades of judicial and legislative experience. That, not cases handled by associates in my law firm
many years ago, will always serve as the basis of my decisions and votes in Committee and on the floor
of the Senate. If every lawmaker were prohibited from voting on an issue that their law firm argued in
court even in another state there would be few votes cast in the General Assembly.

My stance is a principled one on this and every issue, inside the courtroom or the Senate chamber. For
an officer of the court to utilize such an absurd claim to influence a profound Constitutional debate is an
outrageous breach of professional standards.