State Sen. Ted Lieu, a Redondo Beach democrat, is the author of Senate Bill 938 which will establish the first Monday in October as California’s annual ‘Offender Recognition Day’
While Sen. Leu’s bill was passed by an overwhelming majority in the Senate, last Tuesday it has hit a road bump in the in the Assembly Public Safety Committee because of opposition to the bill by the correctional officers union and by crime victims groups that claim the measure is an “ill-conceived effort to foster public sympathy for offenders.” Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco democrat, is trying to convince the opposition groups that Sen. Lieu’s proposed law is “seeking to enhance self-esteem and foster rehabilitation.” The committee must either pass or reject the bill by June 27.
News Flash: We have just experienced a minor earthquake in Houston. When I told a group of my friends about Senator Lieu’s ‘Offender Recognition Day’ bill, they laughed so hard that the earth beneath them shook.
I can see special events being held, both in and outside California prisons, recognizing and honoring offenders for their achievements.
Here is Sen. Lieu handing out the awards at the first annual Offender Recognition Day ceremony:
It gives me great pleasure to MC this inaugural ‘Offender Recognition Day’ event and honor you men and women for your outstanding achievements as criminals. Each of you will receive a plaque and $100 cash prize. My intent in introducing the legislation that made this event possible was to help you raise your self-esteem. As you receive these awards from a grateful California public, please take great pride in your achievements as burglars, robbers, rapists and murderers.
And here are just a few of the honorees Sen. Lieu recognized:
“Jesus Gomez Garcia, in recognition of your committing 27 burglaries before you got caught, and for being in our country illegally, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California.”
“Leroy Washington DuBois, in recognition of your being the Crips' leading carjacker and committing 32 carjackings in Los Angeles before you got caught, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California.”
“Charlie Manson, in recognition of your ability to organize and lead a pack of young and devoted followers and your very persuasive powers in getting that pack to slaughter people, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California. And should you ever get out of prison, Charlie, I will personally pay for the removal of that swastika tattoo from your forehead because I believe that will help you raise your self-esteem.”
“Albert Amaya, or ‘Spanky’ as you’re known by your fellow gang members, in recognition of your leadership in the Mexican Mafia, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California.”
“Todd Ashker, in recognition of your membership in the Aryan Brotherhood and your leadership in the hunger strike at Pelican Bay State Prison, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California.”
“Chester Turner, in recognition of your killing 14 women and an unborn child, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California, and may you enjoy a long life here on San Quentin’s death row.”
“Stephanie Lazarus, in recognition of the fact that it took LAPD over 20 years before they nailed you for the murder of Sherri Rasmussen during which time you were promoted to police detective, please accept this plaque and cash prize on behalf of the grateful citizens of California.”
“Phillip and Nancy Garrido, as the first husband and wife team to be honored on Offender Recognition Day, we recognize you for fooling both federal and state parole officers for more than 18 years while you held kidnapped Jaycee Dugard captive. Please accept these plaques and cash prizes on behalf of the grateful citizens of California.”
“O.J. Simpson, even though you are now in a Nevada prison for robbery and kidnapping, the State of California takes great pleasure in presenting you with this special Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of your relentless efforts in trying to find the murderer of your ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman even as far away as Florida's golf courses. Please accept this plaque and a special $200 cash prize from the grateful citizens of California.”
Jeff 'Paco' Doyle, a former California correctional officer and retired state parole agent, says:
I am not completely closed to the idea of a day recognizing criminals for all they have done for me and my family.
Clearly, hundreds of thousands are employed in secure, good paying careers thanks to crime. From the cops to courts to corrections, we all benefit from the misbehavior of criminals–The least we can do is recognize them, right?
Which isn’t to say we ought to celebrate them. Just recognize them as the misfits and miscreants they are–Here’s to you Mr. and Ms. Criminal. Have a nice day whether in jail, prison, on probation, on parole or on the run.
As for my take on Offender Recognition Day, that's why I call it Kookfornia!
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