[Libs-Or] FW: [ALACOUN:15447] Judge's remarks

[Tony Greiner/Mary Grant]

For those libraries looking for a "Constitution Day" display or 
program, printing this out in big letters would be a nice start. 
Thank you for passing this on Carolyn.

Tony Greiner

>
>
>
>A friend sent me these remarks by Judge John C. Coughenour as he sentenced
>Ahmed Ressam, and I thought many of you would like to see them, too.  His
>commitment to constitutional rights and principles is encouraging, and I
>hope more of his colleagues on the bench share his view.
>
>June
>
>
>
>
>"Judge's comments in Ressam sentencing"
>
>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
>
>U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour's comments during Wednesday's
>sentencing hearing for Ahmed Ressam, as provided by court officials.
>
>Ressam, an Algerian national, was sentenced to 22 years for plotting to bomb
>Los Angeles International Airport on the eve of the millennium.
>
>"Okay. Let me say a few things. First of all, it will come as no surprise to
>anybody that this sentencing is one that I have struggled with a great deal,
>more than any other sentencing that I've had in the 24 years I've been on
>the  bench.
>
>"I've done my very best to arrive at a period of confinement that
>appropriately recognizes the severity of the intended offense, but also
>recognizes the practicalities of the parties' positions before trial and the
>cooperation of Mr. Ressam, even though it did terminate prematurely.
>
>"The message I would hope to convey in today's sentencing is twofold:
>
>"First, that we have the resolve in this country to deal with the subject of
>terrorism and people who engage in it should be prepared to sacrifice a
>major  portion of their life in confinement.
>
>"Secondly, though, I would like to convey the message that our system works.
>We did not need to use a secret military tribunal, or detain the defendant
>indefinitely as an enemy combatant, or deny him the right to counsel, or
>invoke  any proceedings beyond those guaranteed by or contrary to the United
>States  Constitution.
>
>"I would suggest that the message to the world from today's sentencing is
>that our courts have not abandoned our commitment to the ideals that set our
>nation apart. We can deal with the threats to our national security without
>denying the accused fundamental constitutional protections.
>
>"Despite the fact that Mr. Ressam is not an American citizen and despite the
>fact that he entered this country intent upon killing American citizens, he
>received an effective, vigorous defense, and the opportunity to have his
>guilt  or innocence determined by a jury of 12 ordinary citizens.
>
>"Most importantly, all of this occurred in the sunlight of a public trial.
>There were no secret proceedings, no indefinite detention, no denial of
>counsel.
>
>"The tragedy of September 11th shook our sense of security and made us
>realize that we, too, are vulnerable to acts of terrorism.
>
>"Unfortunately, some believe that this threat renders our Constitution
>obsolete. This is a Constitution for which men and women have died and
>continue  to die and which has made us a model among nations. If that view
>is allowed to  prevail, the terrorists will have won.
>
>"It is my sworn duty, and as long as there is breath in my body I'll perform
>it, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
>We will be in  recess."
>
>
>
>
>June Pinnell-Stephens
>Collection Services Manager
>Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library
>1215 Cowles St.
>Fairbanks, AK  99701
>907-459-1020
>907-459-1024 fax
>
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-- 
Tony Greiner/Mary Grant  greints at spiritone.com