A resolution requesting the President of the United States George W. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Senator Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, Governor Phil Bredesen, and the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to take the action necessary to strengthen the penalties for persons convicted of sexual offenses against children.

WHEREAS, recent news reports from across the country have brought to light the ever-increasing societal problems associated with child molesters, child rapists, and other child sexual offenders; and

WHEREAS, many child sex offenders are released on bail pending trial and/or serve light sentences upon being convicted, which provides them with the opportunity to commit further crimes against children; and

WHEREAS, federal law currently provides that the penalty for sexual abuse of a minor within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States consists of a fine and/or imprisonment not to exceed fifteen years; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee statutory law provides various degrees of felonies for different sexual offenses, but only provides mandatory sentencing for child rapists; and

WHEREAS, Florida recently enacted a tougher child-sex law, known as the Jessica Lunsford Act, in response to a 9-year-old girl who was allegedly killed by a convicted sex offender; and

WHEREAS, Florida's new law would place a mandatory sentence of at least 25 years for persons convicted of certain sex crimes, plus a lifetime global positioning satellite tracking of the person; and

WHEREAS, in order to protect the safety of the citizens of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, it is fitting and proper that the penalties for child sex crimes be strengthened.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the President of the United States George W. Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Senator Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, Governor Phil Bredesen, and the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to take the action necessary to strengthen the penalties for persons convicted of sexual offenses against children.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to President George W. Bush, to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, to Senator Lamar Alexander, to each member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, to Governor Phil Bredesen, and to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace, Eric Crafton