2009 MORRISON-EXON DINNER
Saturday, June 20th 2009
VIP Reception – 5:00 pm
General Reception – 6:00 pm
Dinner – 7:00 pm
La Vista Conference Center
12520 Westport Parkway
La Vista, Nebraska 68128-2198
The Morrison-Exon Dinner is the Nebraska Democratic Party’s annual fundraising dinner, named in honor of Former Governor Frank Morrison and former Governor and Senator Jim Exon, for thier lifelong dedication to the State Party. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser are used to help fund the operations of the Nebraska Democratic Party and to help assist Democratic campaigns. This event also provides an opportunity for the Nebraska Democratic Party to reward and recognize their most dedicated supporters. We hope you will be able to join us for this year’s dinner.
To make reservations visit the Nebraska Democratic Party site here.
IN THIS UPDATE
It has been a very busy day in the Nebraska Legislature. Senator Brenda Council announced that she will introduce a bill to abolish the death penalty (
http://journalstar.com/news/politics/doc49663bdb3c3ea890075272.txt). Also, Senator Mike Flood along with the Governor and Attorney General announced they will move forward with a bill to implement lethal injection as Nebraska’s new method of execution (
http://journalstar.com/news/politics/doc496562cd056c3558632783.txt). We must ensure that our message is heard loud and clear by in the halls of the capitol!
“We should not rush towards a new method of execution when the death penalty is so clearly flawed.”
We are asking you to take two important steps TODAY!! At the bottom of this email you will find talking points that can guide you in contacting your legislator, your newspaper, and your neighbors. If you have any questions, comments, or would like more info please send me an email at jill.francke@gmail.com
1. Write a letter to you Senator asking them to support Senator Councils bill to end the Death Penalty in Nebraska and your opposition to efforts to implement lethal injection this year.
All Senators can be reached at Capitol Mailing Address below. All you need to do is fill in your Senators name and district number.
Senator ___________
District __ State Capitol
PO Box 94604
Lincoln NE 68509-4604
This link will take you to the 2009 Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Roster http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/pdf/senators/2009_roster.pdf where you can find your Senators name and district number
Not sure who your senator is? There is a great new function on the Nebraska Unicameral website that will tell you what district you are in!! Visit http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php where you will find a map of the state. In the lower right corner of the map you will find a “search the map” box where you can enter your street address and city. Hit the search button and then click on the arrow that appears on the map and your Senator and District number will pop up on the map. Keep in mind that this is still showing the Senators from the last session so make sure you check the 2009 Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Roster to ensure that your letter is sent to the right person!!
2. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
You can submit a letter to the Lincoln Journal Star here https://secure.townnews.com/journalstar.com/secure/services_forms/editorial/letter_to_editor/. Please be sure to include your name, address, and phone number so they can verify and run your letter.
To submit a letter to the Omaha World Herald you can email it to pulse@owh.com. Again include your name, address, and phone number so they can reach you if they want to print your submission.
Email jill.francke@gmail.com if you want help writing your letters.
If you still want to do more… we can help!
We are looking for people who are interested in hosting small events in their community. We can provide you with a copy of the new movie At the Death House Door and can come along to help facilitate this very important discussion!! The movie has been nominated for an Golden Globe Award this year and has been showing on the Independent Film Channel. A synopsis can be found here http://www.ifc.com/atthedeathhousedoor. If you can help bring this movie to your community or are just interested in seeing it happen please contact me at jill.francke@gmail.com.
Talking Points
- We’ve learned a lot about the death penalty since 1973. For three and a half decades, we have tinkered with Nebraska’s death penalty in an effort to make it fair, accurate, and effective. Despite the best intentions of many the system remains broken. Don’t bring back such a broken system.
- Given the recent events surrounding the “Beatrice 6″ we see that the risk of executing an innocent person is real. Nebraska has sentenced innocent people to life in prison with the threat of the death penalty. The criminal justice system is run by human beings – and we are not perfect 100% of the time. Innocent Nebraskans have been convicted as result of shoddy forensics, coerced confessions, jailhouse snitches, and mistaken witnesses. Changing the method of execution does nothing to address the fundamental problems that still exist with the death penalty.
- Throughout the state, counties, cities, and towns are struggling with tight budgets and increasingly limited resources. Capital punishment is a bloated government program that has clogged our courts, delayed justice for victims’ families, and devoured millions of crime-fighting dollars.
- Today, we can lock people away for life. Nebraska did not offer the alternative of life without parole when the death penalty was reinstated in 1973, but now we have that option. It is a severe punishment that keeps defendants behind bars until they die. To be meaningful, justice must be both swift and sure. The death penalty has turned out to be neither, and we shouldn’t bring it back.
- Nebraskans don’t want a broken death penalty system. The mounting evidence of waste, inaccuracy, and bias has shattered public confidence in the criminal justice system. Death sentences are at an all-time low and public support for the death penalty has dropped in favor of life without parole. Across the country, states are reconsidering their death penalty statutes. The death penalty is dying, and Nebraskans don’t want it revived.
Dear Friend:
I’m writing you today to make you aware of a dangerous movement that has arrived right here in Nebraska: petition circulators have flooded into our state in an attempt to co-opt our state constitution with a radical right-wing agenda.
Read more…
You are invited:
Join Barack Obama at a campaign rally in Omaha.
Omaha Civic Auditorium
1804 Capitol Ave, Omaha
Thursday, February 7
Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Sign up now at ne.barackobama.com/omaha.
For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted. Please note: due to limited space, seating is on a first come, first-served basis. For more information about the Nebraska Democratic Caucus, or to find your caucus time and location, visit www.nebraskademocrats.org or call (800) 677-7068.
For information about the caucus in Lincoln County email the Lincoln County Democrats at info@lincolncountydems.org.
From the NDP Communications Center:
The Nebraska Democrat Podcast
This week, featuring an in-depth look at the 2008 Nebraska Democratic Presidential Caucuses. As we make history with our Party’s first caucus, many Nebraskans have never participated in one. So, we run down the basics for you. Access the podcast from the NPD’s website here. Please share this podcast site with people you know who might have questions about the upcoming caucus. This podcast provides some basic information. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, January 3, 2008. We eat at 6:00 pm and the meeting starts at 7:00. We meet at the Tiffany Room at the North Platte Airport. See you there!
