LB 18-Death Penalty

Throughout this website, the NCC provides links to other websites solely for the user's convenience. By providing these links, the NCC assumes no responsibility for, nor does it necessarily endorse the websites or organizations linked.

Talking Points on LB 18

Death Penalty--the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee presently holds several bills pertaining to the death penalty. LB 18 proposes to abolish the death penalty and to replace it with imprisonment for life without possibility for parole and with mandatory restitution of victims’ families. Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss of Omaha, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln and Bishop Lawrence McNamara of Grand Island, through their Nebraska Catholic Conference, support LB 18. It is consistent with the teaching of the Church, so clearly articulated over several years by Pope John Paul II.

In addition to LB 18, the Judiciary Committee also currently holds three bills—LBs 62, 356 and 865—that propose to change the method of carrying out the death penalty from electrocution to lethal injection. The Nebraska Catholic Conference does not hold a position on these bills, but views them as opportunities to reiterate support for replacing capital punishment with imprisonment for life and mandatory restitution.

What you can do to help: contact the senators who serve on the Judiciary Committee—Senators Kermit Brashear, Jennie Robak, Mark Quandahl, Gene Tyson, Tom Baker, Ernie Chambers, Dwite Pedersen and Matt Connealy—and urge them to advance LB 18 to the full Legislature and to withhold all action on LBs 62, 356 and 865 until LB 18 has been debated on the floor and its outcome is determined.

Write or E-Mail your Nebraska Senator (first initial)(last name)@unicam.ne.us e.g., dpedersen@unicam.ne.us ) About Capital Punishment/Sample Message

SAMPLE LETTER

Senator ____________________

District ____, State Capitol

PO Box 94604

Lincoln, NE 68509-4604

Dear Senator __________________:

Please work for the passage of LB 18, which would abolish the death penalty and replace it with life in prison without possibility of parole, and with mandatory restitution of the families of victims. This would achieve justice without resorting to more violence.

There is no reason or need for the death penalty. Non-lethal means are available to effectively punish the criminal and protect society. It is a sign of failure to respond to killing with more killing. Furthermore, vengeance is never a worthy human motive.

It is time for Nebraska to move forward without capital punishment. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

______________________________