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Recognizing and honoring State Senator Stewart Greenleaf on the occasion of his retirement and thanking him for his commitment to Criminal Justice Reform.
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WHEREAS, After an illustrious 40 years representing Pennsylvania's 12th District, State Senator Stewart Greenleaf is retiring at the end of this year. He began his service in the State House of Representatives in 1977 and the State Senate in 1979; and
WHEREAS, No member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has been the prime sponsor of as many bills signed into law as Senator Greenleaf. Since 1977, he has been the prime sponsor of more than 160 bills (an average of 4 per year) that have been signed into state law by 7 governors. He has also been influential in the passage of an additional 155 pieces of legislation that became law for which he was not the prime sponsor; and
WHEREAS, A former Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney, Senator Greenleaf has chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee since 1985. His efforts have reduced recidivism and helped returning defendants to be productive citizens; and
WHEREAS, Senator Greenleaf has built a sterling reputation as a pragmatic, independent-thinking legislator who is willing to cross the aisle to work for the common good. In announcing his retirement, he said, "My mantra has always been that there is no Republican or Democrat idea, that ideas shouldn't be pigeon holed as liberal or conservative. Ideas that are good for our community deserve to be supported"; and
WHEREAS, Among Senator Greenleaf's most notable legislative contributions are a constitutional amendment adopted in 1996 which allows child witnesses to testify via closed-circuit television and "Megan's Law", which protects children from sexual predators; and
WHEREAS, Towards the end of his final term, Senator Greenleaf shepherded three bills he sponsored through the legislature to become law. The Safe Harbor Bill (Senate Bill 554) prevents child victims of human traf...
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