Rep. Jon Hinck to Launch Senate Bid
"Restoring the American Promise - New Energy & A New Vision for Maine" Saturday, November 12, 2011
ORONO, MAINE - State Representative Jon Hinck, who has formed an exploratory committee for a potential run for the U.S. Senate, will address students, guests, and the media on Saturday, November 12th at the University of Maine's Memorial Student Union.
What: "Restoring the American Promise - New Energy & A New Vision for Maine"
Who: State Rep. Jon Hinck, Invited Speakers, Students, Press, Open to Public
Where: University of Maine Memorial Union, Bangor Room, Orono, ME 04469
When: Saturday, November 12th, 11:00am, concluding prior to UMaine vs. UMass Football Game
Why: After spending more than three decades in Washington, Olympia Snowe has lost touch with Maine. A quick look at her campaign shows that she is financed by wealthy out-of-Staters and special interest groups like Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, Goldman Sachs, and even Haliburton.
Since Hinck formed an exploratory committee, he's heard the concerns of voters and is learning what Mainers want to see out of their U.S. Senator. Olympia Snowe talks one way in Washington and a different way in Maine. People's voices are not being heard and working families are not a priority in the U.S. Senate. Jon Hinck will offer new energy and a layout a new vision for Maine on Saturday.
Jon Hinck, who represents Portland in the Maine House of Representatives, is the Ranking Member of the Legislature's Committee on Energy. Hinck has spent his career as an advocate, teacher, and champion for working people. He is a leading progressive voice on education, equality, and economic opportunity. Currently Hinck is exploring a candidacy for the United States Senate in 2012.
Bill to prevent health insurance rate hikes submitted
Rep. Graham says fix to Republican health insurance overhaul needed now
AUGUSTA - Rep. Anne Graham, D- North Yarmouth, submitted new legislation to prevent insurance companies from increasing rates without a review by the Maine Bureau of Insurance for the upcoming legislative session in January. The bill was introduced to help fix problems resulting from the Republican insurance overhaul that was rushed through the legislature last spring.
"The bill simply prevents insurance companies from excessively increasing rates without oversight," said Graham, who fought against the radical health insurance overhaul known as LD 1333 (now public law 90). "Maine families and small businesses just can't afford to put more money in the pockets of big insurance."
When Anthem recently proposed a 9.7 percent increase in individual rates, the Bureau of Insurance limited it to 5.2 percent after a thorough review. Under the new law put in place by LD 1333, the bureau could no longer review rate increases on small businesses or individuals of up to 10 percent.
Graham's bill, "An Act to Enhance Affordable, Quality Health Care in Maine," restores the oversight role of the Maine Bureau of Insurance in the insurance rate review process, preventing excessive price hikes by insurance companies. It also establishes a council to monitor health care accessibility and quality as well as payment reform and expands consumer oversight of the new reinsurance pool. The pool is funded by a new tax on policyholders and is primarily overseen by insurance executives.
Legislative leaders from both parties will decide if the bill will be considered next year during a meeting of the Legislative Council on Oct. 31. The second session of the legislature is typically reserved for top priority measures, such as bills relating to the budget, emergency legislation and legislation carried over from the first session.
"If we want to get serious about lowering health care costs, we must address the cost drivers through payment reform and prevention," said Graham, who works as a pediatric nurse practitioner. "We must fix the law before it gets any worse."
LD 1333 allows insurance companies selling individual policies to set rates based on age at up to five times higher than the lowest rate. There are no limits on rate changes depending on where you live or what kind of job you have.
Small businesses in Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties are projected to see insurance premiums rise more than 60 or 70 percent. One company in Presque Isle is already expecting to see an increase of 90 percent.
"Our health care laws should be focused on helping consumers, patients, and small businesses not growing the bottom line of big insurance companies," added Graham.
(25 Oct 2011- It has been brought to my attention that Rep. Ben Chipman (I-Portland) was accidentally omitted from the list of Portland lawmakers condemning the attack upon OccupyMaine. Below is the additional statement from him, and the original press release has been amended to reflect as well. ~ editor)
Rep. Ben Chipman, whose district borders Lincoln Park, is also very concerned about this incident and wants those who are responsible to be brought to justice immediately.
"I hope that those who are responsible for this act of violence are caught and brought to justice. I encourage anyone with information about this incident to call 874-8575 and report it to the police immediately," said Chipman.
PORTLAND LAWMAKERS CONDEMN ATTACK ON OCCUPY MAINE PROTESTORS
October 24, 2011
PORTLAND- In response to an early Sunday morning explosive attack on the Occupy Maine protestors in Lincoln Park, the Portland delegation released the following statements:
"Violence cannot be tolerated. Whether you believe in the Occupy Maine/Wallstreet movement or not, it is unacceptable to put people's lives in danger," said Senator Justin Alfond of Portland. "The protestors in Lincoln Park have been peaceful and respectful and are dutifully exercising their right to free speech. The sentiment in Lincoln Park is one shared by many across the world. People are fed up with the shrinking middle class and frustrated by economic policies that help those at the very top at the expense of everyone else. I support the group's efforts to protest without the threat of harm or danger."
Rep. Diane Russell, whose district includes Lincoln Park said, "We strongly condemn this dangerous and insidious act of violence. The Occupy Maine protestors have been exercising their right to protest in a non-violent, respectful manner. When violence shuts down dissent, it shuts down democracy. Maine people are better than this."
Rep. Ben Chipman, whose district borders Lincoln Park, is also very concerned about this incident and wants those who are responsible to be brought to justice immediately.
"I hope that those who are responsible for this act of violence are caught and brought to justice. I encourage anyone with information about this incident to call 874-8575 and report it to the police immediately," said Chipman.
All members of the Portland delegation expressed concern and upset by the explosive that was hurled at the encampment-and encouraged the public's help in identifying the perpetrators. Members of the Portland delegation include: Sen. Justin Alfond, Rep. Diane Russell, Rep. Ben Chipman, Rep. Peter Stuckey, Rep. Steve Lovejoy, Rep. Mark Dion, Rep. Denise Harlow, Rep. Anne Haskell and Rep. Jon Hinck.
MSBNC's "Politics Nation" with Reverend Al Sharpton lambastes Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) , who spoke out harshly regarding people wanting help in America, then 2 days later voted against President Obama's jobs bill.
Segment entitled: "The Real Class Warfare"; aired 21 Oct 2011.
8:10pm Update: WLBZ-2 sent out a tweet to news story and this video from earlier today.
For immediate release: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Contact: Demi Colby
E-mail: Occupyme@gmail.com
OCCUPY MAINE TAKES OVER MONUMENT SQUARE Hundreds Turn Out In Rain to Protest Corporate Personhood
Portland, Maine: Leading Members of the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York traveled to Portland, Maine to rally Mainers to gather in solidarity with the Wall Street Occupation.
The event mirrors several similar demonstrations taking place in various other cities across the country and all over the world. The event was organized over the preceding week using social media and attracted over one thousand members to its Facebook page.
After convening for a General Assembly, the group in Monument Square has released the following list of national and local demands:
National Demands
1. End corporate personhood.
2. Get private investors out of public policy: we demand publically funded elections.
3. Progressive tax should apply to the wealthy: eliminate tax loopholes.
4. Support public workers' rights and workers' voices.
5. Re-regulate financial institutions and prosecute financial criminals.
6. Banks/ investment firms should return the bailout money to the People.
7. End capital punishment.
8. Restore "sound" money and restore competition in currency.
Local Demands
1. Affordable oil for Mainers.
2. Bring the Maine National Guard home.
3. Amend corporate personhood.
4. Better public transport.
####
If you'd like more information on this topic, or to schedule or to schedule an interview please contact Demi Colby (email: Occupyme@gmail.com).
Maine Insights has publicized the Handler case where the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), mandates for kinship care, and civil rights were violated by the Department of Health and Human Services in Maine.
When Maine Insights owner/reporter Ramona du Houx read a press release which stated that the federal government's social security division contacted Ellie and Russell Handler looking for their young son, David, because the government could not locate him, she had to find out more.
She lined up an interview with Eric Mehnert and Joe Baldacci, council for the Handlers. Over the course of their discussions it became clear that the Handler case was complex and that federal and state laws were apparently being broken.
"The civil rights- the Constitutional rights of these individuals were evidently violated because of the actions of Maine's Department of Health and Human Services," said du Houx. "In a democratic society no agency should be allowed to work behind closed doors to the extent DHHS can without being accountable to the people. It is my hope that by bringing the Handler's story to the public Maine's DHHS policies and particles will change accordingly. It is the responsibility of the press to highlight injustices where and when they occur."
Du Houx worked with the Handlers and attorney's Baldacci and Mehnert to compile the different aspects of the case where serious legal volitions happened because of the actions of DHHS caseworkers.
At one point in the case David's grandmother had applied to adopt her grandson but her application was rejected by DHHS in favor of a foster care family. All this happened when DHHS was already under federal and state mandates to consider kinship placement first and foremost in adoption cases, if reunification with the parents could not be possible. One reason reunification was not possible was because Dr. Ellie Handler was advised by DHHS caseworkers to divorce her husband, which she did. Remarried the Handlers are seeking justice and desperately want to know if their son is alive and well.
"These parents lost their son because of the inadequacies of Maine's DHHS. Injustices like these need to stop," said du Houx. "DHHS is there to help people not to abuse their rights."
The supplement to Maine Insights clarifies the case and shows where laws could be implemented, to bring justice for the people of Maine, that would transform how the bureaucratic system of Maine's DHHS works.
To read the entire publication supplement about the Handler case please click on this link. Hard copies of the Handler case supplement are also available.
Since 2004 Maine Insights has published community, business, state policy, educational and healthcare oriented articles. Extensive in-depth interviews of public figures and community organizations are regularly featured in the publication. Maine Insights is an associate member of the Maine Press Association.
For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 29, 2011
Contact: Adrienne Bennett
Governor LePage Announces Plan to Combine Agriculture & Conservation Agencies
Augusta, Maine - Governor Paul LePage announced today a plan that would merge the State of Maine Agriculture Department and Conservation Department into a single division in an effort to strengthen the natural resource economy in areas of conversation, farming and forestry. The change would need legislative approval and enabling legislation is currently being drafted.
"Farming and forestry can be a significant part of our economic engine, and both these industries are important to Maine's future," said Governor LePage. "These two departments are very similar and today divide funding resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It makes sense for these two agencies to work closer together towards economic prosperity."
Agriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb, Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley and many farming and forestry industry leaders support the Governor's proposal agreeing the benefits of the plan are substantial.
"Commissioner Beardsley and I share the Governor's view that the producers of food and fiber have a great deal in common. The combination of our two support agencies can result in more availability of state service to farm crops and timber producers. We all want to expand these industries to provide more products to consumers in state, out of state and off shore," said Commissioner Whitcomb.
"Conservation, state parks, public access to Maine's great outdoors, farming and forestry and Maine's physical landscape are central components of Maine's iconic brand. They are inseparable as we strive to revitalize and enhance Maine's natural resource economy. In addition to scale and economies it would be great to have all of this under one roof," said Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley.
About the Department of Agriculture: The Maine Department of Agriculture's goals include expanding Maine agriculture by making the state a leader in innovative approaches to profitability; creating opportunities for Maine citizens to succeed in agriculture; and ensuring a safe, wholesome, and high-quality food supply.
About the Department of Conservation: The Maine Department of Conservation is a natural resource agency whose bureaus oversee the management, development and protection of some of Maine's most special places: 17 million acres of forest land, 10.4 million acres of unorganized territory, 48 parks and historic sites and more than 590,000 acres of public-reserved and non-reserved land.
It appears that similar to Gerald's extraordinary Omnibus of bills, we would be well served to have a primer of the still unfolding events of "Mural-Gate".
So using my previous The First 100 Days of Governor Paul LePage: A Review post as a starting point, I am going to try to fully document on a daily basis, from March to now. Please feel free to add more content and links in comments and I will adjust the post. ~Andi
Today staff of the MDOL learned that this mural would be removed. In an email, Acting Commissioner Laura Boyett made the announcement, along with news that some of the names of the meeting rooms would be changed, names like the "Perkins Room."
Frances Perkins was FDR's Secretary of Labor, the first woman in American history to head a Federal department.
Here is that initial email:
From: Boyett, Laura L.
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 12:37 PM
Dear MDOL Colleagues,
The hunt for a new Commissioner is taking longer than anticipated but the search continues. However, the work of the Department of Labor is important, critically needed and cannot be put on hold until a new leader is found. When a new Commissioner is appointed, he or she will find a vibrant, progressive agency; staffed by people committed to delivering quality services to the citizens and businesses of Maine. I am confident of this because it is what I see when I come into the office every day and I am proud to be part of such an outstanding organization.
Maine has just come through one of the most difficult economic crisis in almost 75 years and we still face significant challenges as we recover. The Maine Department of Labor can play a pivotal role in this process. For the Maine economy to thrive, we need strong businesses and skilled workers. They are two sides of the same coin and neither can succeed without the other. The Department of Labor serves both constituencies. We assist businesses in navigating the complexities of the regulations they must operate in, help them to set up safe environments for their workers and connect them with workers possessing the skills needed for their businesses to succeed and grow. We help and support workers through the difficulties of unexpected job loss, connect them to new jobs and provide them with the skills needed to achieve their career goals and succeed in the marketplace. We bring workers and businesses together to build a strongMaine economy.
This is our charge and our vision for moving forward. The important work of this agency is not on hold or in limbo pending the appointment of a new Commissioner and I, along with the Acting Bureau Directors, are committed to leading us forward in this direction.
We have received feedback that the administration building is not perceived as equally receptive to both businesses and workers - primarily because of the nature of the mural in the lobby and the names of our conference rooms. Whether or not the perception is valid is not really at issue and therefore, not open to debate. If either of our two constituencies perceives that they are not welcome in our administration building and this translates to a belief that their needs will not be heard or met by this department, then it presents a barrier to achieving our mission.
I will be seeking a new home for the mural and we will be renaming the conference rooms in our administrative office at Commerce Drive in Augusta. However, I'd like your help in coming up with new names for the conference rooms. I'm holding a 'renaming contest' and will select from your suggestions. The names can be places, concepts or things but should not reflect a bias toward either business or workers - the names should feel welcoming to both. Although arguments can be made that some of the existing names do not reflect any bias, to keep things simple, we are going to make a clean sweep across the board and change all. Therefore, we need naming suggestions for 8 conference rooms. Send your suggestions to Neena Quirion by close of business on April 5th. There will be a small prize for the successful author or authors so put on your thinking caps!
As I hear news on the Commissioner search I will pass it on to you. In the meantime, businesses and workers are counting on us to help them during challenging times and after 17 years of working with you at MDOL, I know I can count on all of you to continue to do just that.
Thank you,
Laura Boyett, Acting Commissioner
Maine Department of Labor
At first, it was reported that "an anonymous fax" sent to his office was what caused him to make the decision to remove the mural.
After some pressure, LePage's office finally released the supposed "fax". It was quickly noticed that the "fax" had no date or time stamp nor phone number sent- all of which would normally be on a fax. Adrienne Bennett, LePage's spokesperson, dismissed this astute observation and revised the document to instead be a letter received by their office.
A CYA story that fooled no one in Maine, including one person who commented the following observation on Dirigo Blue, hinting that the LePage administration created the supposed document themselves quickly, to "hush up" the press:
If you look in the upper left area of the letter, there is something else on the paper.
I believe it is the seal that exists on the state letterhead of every modern Maine Governor, and is showing up through the white-out hastily applied over it. Why did this thought occur to me? Because I find it simply impossible that this man has "a secret admirer........" out there.
They are clearly scrambling in the Governor's office today to come up with a plausible explanation for LePage's comments to host Brian Williams during NBC "Education Nation" gubernatorial forum.
LePage's words contradicted his earlier statements regarding the mural's removal, as well as testimony presented on his behalf.
"The Administration originally removed the mural because of its messaging. The mural portrays only one party that the Department of Labor serves - workers not job creators. In order to change the culture the decision was made to find a more appropriate location for the mural. It was then discovered how the mural was funded and that these funds could have been put into the Unemployment Trust Fund for Mainers to benefit from. When the Governor learned of this it further supported the decision
"The Administration originally removed the mural because of its messaging. The mural portrays only one party that the Department of Labor serves - workers not job creators. In order to change the culture the decision was made to find a more appropriate location for the mural. It was then discovered how the mural was funded and that these funds could have been put into the Unemployment Trust Fund for Mainers to benefit from. When the Governor learned of this it further supported the decision.
The Governor took part in this panel discussion to speak about education; however, it is clear that NBC had an entirely different agenda for Governor LePage. With limited time to answer the question the Governor chose to speak about the most disturbing aspect - that this money could have been put into the Unemployment Trust Fund rather than used on a mural. This information was underreported by media this spring."
Adrienne Bennett
Press Secretary
(This is exactly as grabbed from the Maine.gov link- typos, double paragraphs and all. ~AP)
For Immediate Release: September 27, 2011
Contact: Jodi Quintero [Berry, Haskell, Cain]
Legislature passes bipartisan bill to stiffen Bath Salts penalties
AUGUSTA- The Maine Legislature passed a bill to strengthen the penalties for users and dealers of the illegal synthetic drug bath salts.
"The bath salts epidemic this summer has prompted the legislature to take emergency action on this critical issue," said Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, who is a cosponsor of the new bipartisan bill and was the sponsor of the original bill that made the drug illegal earlier this year.
"We had originally proposed these stiff penalties and now we have stronger support from the governor and the Republican majority. Increasingly, the experts no longer put bath salts near the top of the list. They put it at the top."
Berry's bill was scaled back to be a civil violation in the spring due to a lack of funding needed to pay for incarceration, treatment, and indigent legal services.
The abuse of bath salts has ballooned across the state over the summer, according to law enforcement officials. The epidemic prompted the governor and lawmakers to reintroduce Rep. Berry's original proposal to make the penalties equal to drugs like heroin and methamphetamine.
Nationally, Poison Control Centers recorded 303 poisonings in all of 2010. In the first seven months of 2011, they recorded 4,137.
In Maine, Bangor has seen an increase of Bath Salts cases in the past few months. The Bangor Police Chief Ron Gastia told the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday that there were 14 bath salts related incidents this weekend alone.
"Our law enforcement officials need these stronger penalties to help them better protect our communities," said Anne Haskell, D-Portland, who is the lead Democrat on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. "Rep. Berry was right the first time around. It was a mistake to water down the bill in the spring. We've heard from police officials, first responders, and families who urged us to strengthen the law and fight back against this dangerous drug."
During the debate on the bill House lawmakers rejected an attempt by the Senate to amend the bill to scale back the punishment for furnishing versus trafficking of the drug.
"We opposed providing different penalties for the crimes because it would be inconsistent with our other laws for this class of drug," explained Haskell. "While I understand the concerns, we don't have variation in the law for heroin or cocaine for example, and we shouldn't set a different, weaker standard for bath salts."
The bill will now be sent to the governor to be signed into law.
"We took an important first step tonight to meet the immediate challenges of combating this horrible drug," said Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, the House Democratic Leader. "In addition to strengthening the criminal penalties, we must also plan for the education and treatment challenges we will face in the future."
For Immediate Release: September 27, 2011
Contact: Jodi Quintero [Cain], Ericka Wainberg [Hobbins, Goodall]
Legislature passes bipartisan redistricting plan
AUGUSTA - The State Legislature gave final passage to a bipartisan plan for redrawing Maine's Congressional district lines today during a Special Session of the Legislature.
"We are pleased to reach a bipartisan resolution after a such highly partisan process," said Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, the House Democratic Leader. "It goes to show that compromise is possible when cooler heads prevail."
The compromise plan moves Waterville and Winslow into the First Congressional District and puts Unity Township, Albion, Sidney, Belgrade, Rome, Vienna, Mount Vernon, Gardiner, West Gardiner, Monmouth and Randolph into the Second Congressional District. It splits only Kennebec County and brings the population difference between the districts to a deviation of one.
"The new plan is consistent with what Democrats have been proposing all along and what Maine people said they wanted," said Rep. Cain. "It is a simple solution that keeps communities of interest together and disrupts a minimal amount of people and towns."
The plan is a significant departure from the GOP's initial radical plan that proposed to move 360,000 people, seven counties, and 139 communities to a new district. Last week, the Republicans announced they would likely ignore the law and force this partisan plan through with a majority vote.
"Maine people expect us to compromise and find common ground," said Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, the Senate Democratic Leader. "Democrats have always been open to compromising around a moderate plan. We are glad the Republicans joined with us to find a bipartisan solution that we could all support."
Democrats had offered three moderate proposals, which moved only a few towns within Kennebec County, which is already divided between the two districts. Republicans rejected those proposals during negotiations over the summer.
A federal court ordered the Legislature to redraw the line between the districts based on new census data in response to a lawsuit earlier this year.
"We adopted a plan that is in the best interest of Mainers, while still conforming with the court's order," said Sen. Seth Goodall, D-Richmond, who was the lead negotiator for the Democrats. "Importantly, in the end, partisanship was put aside in order to get the job done."
The plan now must be signed into law by the governor.
Governor LePage took a trip down to the Big Apple this week to participate in a panel discussion for NBC's "Education Nation". He was one of ten governors invited to the event.
Governor LePage told the group that he believes Maine doesn't need to spend more money on education, but that it should do a better job making sure more education funds go into classrooms.
He also says he's learning a lot from how other countries educate their kids.
LePage said, "We're looking at 10 countries, the top 10 countries. They all have one common denominator. A teacher not only has teaching skills, but content skills. And that's what we don't do in this country."
For Immediate Release September 26, 2011
Contact: Jodi Quintero
Democratic leaders issue statement on new GOP redistricting map
AUGUSTA - Democratic leaders in the Maine State Legislature released the following statement in response to the new GOP Congressional map made public this afternoon. The new Republican proposal only moves a number of communities in Kennebec County, which is slightly different than the Democratic plan.
"We are glad to see our Republican colleagues publicly release a reasonable plan," said Rep. Emily Cain, D-Orono, the House Democratic leader. "We would have preferred to get to this level of negotiations earlier in the process, but Democrats remain serious about compromise."
The GOP's new plan is a deviation from the GOP's initial radical plan that proposed to move 360,000 people, seven counties, and 139 communities to a new district. On Friday, the Republicans announced they would likely ignore the law and force this radical plan through with a majority vote.
"Democrats are continuing talks with the Republicans now that they have moved to a more negotiable position," said Sen. Barry Hobbins, the Senate Democratic Leader. "The new map is more consistent with the public will and the law."
Democrats have presented a plan that shifts fewer than 20,000 people. It follows the current lines, which were drawn by the Maine Supreme Court nearly 10 years ago.
The bipartisan commission charged by the Legislature to draw Congressional district lines narrowly endorsed the Democratic plan in August.
The Legislature must vote to endorse one plan tomorrow during a special session.
Augusta, Maine - Governor Paul LePage proclaimed September 25, 2011, as a Maine Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims during a ceremony held at the University of Maine in Augusta Sunday. The Governor issued the proclamation in support with the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
"This observance pays tribute to the hundreds of Maine citizens who have been murdered, and acknowledges the impact on family and friends who are the survivors," said Governor LePage. "While Maine is considered a safe place, we do experience senseless tragedies. There have been 18 homicides this year, 9 of them domestic violence related. These are not just numbers; these are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters that are gone forever."
Arthur Jette has been involved with the Maine Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, the group that sponsored today's event, since 1999, after his two-year old grandson was murdered. "We believe that it is important that we honor the memories of victims of homicide and acknowledge the unimaginable anger, pain and grief families and communities are left to contend with," says Jette.
Parents of Murdered Children provides support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims making a difference through on-going emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy and awareness.
Nearly one hundred friends and relatives of murder victims gathered at Jewett Hall for the ceremony. In addition to Governor LePage, speakers included Maine State Police Chief Col. Robert Williams, Augusta Mayor and Criminal Division Chief of the Office of the Attorney General William Stokes, advocates of domestic violence prevention and family members of murder victims.
The text of the proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, in 2010, twenty-four homicides were reported in Maine; and
WHEREAS, there have been 18 homicides reported in Maine through August 2011; and
WHEREAS, the death of a loved one is a devastating experience, and the murder of a loved one is exceptionally difficult; and
WHEREAS, the family and friends of murder victims cope with grief through a variety of services including crisis intervention, professional referrals, counseling, and assistance in dealing with the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, the Maine Chapter of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children is dedicated to helping families and friends faced with the death of a loved one by providing ongoing emotional support, individual assistance, education, advocacy and information about and guidance through the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims on September 25 of each year provides an opportunity for the people of Maine to join with the rest of the nation, to honor the memories of murder victims and recognize the impact on surviving family members,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 25, 2011 as
MAINE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR
MURDER VICTIMS
throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize this observance.
Maine Progressives
