MORAN CALLS CONFEREES TO ACT ON ALICIA'S LAWALEXANDRIA - House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran sent the following letter to Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas) and House Appropriations Chairman Lacey Putney (I-Bedford) to call for their support in funding "Alicia's Law." Delegate Moran was alerted today that this morning House and Senate budget conferees opted to consider removing funding from Alicia's Law in the final budget proposal to be offered this Thursday. This initiative will expand our regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces to investigate, arrest and incarcerate the most hardcore child sex offenders in Virginia.
"The Honorable Chuck Colgan
Senate Finance Committee
General Assembly Building, 10th Floor
State Capitol
Richmond, VA 22319The Honorable Lacey Putney
House Appropriations Committee
General Assembly Building, 9th Floor
State Capitol
Richmond, VA 22319Dear Chuck and Lacey,
I came to Richmond today and heard highly disturbing news that the budget conferees had retreated from supporting critically needed investments in Alicia's Law. As you already know, Alicia's Law is designed to expand our regional Internet Crimes against Children Task Forces (ICAC) so we can arrest, prosecute and convict online child sex predators.
There are over 20,000 Virginians that we know are trafficking in hardcore online child pornography. These are not merely "innocent images." These are hardcore pictures and videos of children - as young as 18 months - being brutally raped. There is no more vile, heinous act. But, unfortunately, law enforcement does not have the resources to investigate these leads, catch these criminals, and rescue these children. So we came to the General Assembly for help.I would be remiss if I did not thank the House Appropriations Committee for making an investment of $1.25 million in their proposed budget and thank the Senate budget conferees for their press release, dated March 8th, where they announced support for the funding. Unfortunately, I was told today that the current draft conference report does not include these funds to which all sides have publically pledged their support. The funds proposed in the House budget for ICAC would double their capacity to investigate and arrest child offenders and double their ability to rescue child victims.
So I ask you - as the leaders of the two delegations - to step in and ensure the funds for this important initiative. I know, and deeply respect, the hard work that you both put in to crafting the state budget for the next two years. There are myriad demands and interests to balance. But I truly do not believe that the values we bring to the General Assembly - or any of us bring to our life in public service - are well served if we fail to find these critically needed funds.
Every time you bring a computer into the home, you provide these online predators access to your children. As a former prosecutor, I know our law enforcement must have the tools to combat these criminals and as the father of two young children, I know there is no more important investment to make.
I hope to return to Richmond on Thursday with different news than what I heard today. When we return to Richmond, I hope we will have a conference report that honors our public commitment and moral responsibility to protect children. In a budget of over $77 billion dollars, I find it inconceivable that we could not find the first $1.25 million to take the next step in protecting our kids.
As you know, this initiative is named after Alicia Kozakiewicz. At age 13, Alicia was the victim of an online child sex predator in Northern Virginia who tortured her for 4 days. Fortunately, she was rescued by the Northern Virginia ICAC officers. With your help, more children like her can be rescued.
Thank you for giving this all necessary consideration.
Sincerely,
Brian J. Moran
Cc: The Honorable William J. Howell
The Honorable Richard Saslaw
The Honorable Janet Howell
The Honorable Phil Hamilton
Grier Weeks, National Organization to Protect Children"
For more information about this initiative please visit http://www.brianmoran.com/agen... and review the new online video available at http://www.protect.org/childPo...