To the Editor:
I read with dismay the misinformed letter from Ms. Blanding ["Albo's Voting Record," Connection, Oct. 13-19, 2005] concerning legislation Del. Dave Albo (R-42) introduced during the 2004 General Assembly. Del. Albo introduced HB 1054 on behalf of the Virginia State Crime Commission at the request and encouragement of several prosecutors to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court decision. HB 1054 was drafted to correct a loophole in Virginia law, to clarify that not only can a parent, teacher or guardian not touch a child in a sexual manner, they also cannot have any other form of sexual activity with one of their students or children. At the time of the referenced legislation, the Virginia State Crime Commission repeatedly alerted Protect.org that the information they were disseminating regarding the legislation was inaccurate and extremely misleading.
As a 20-year employee of the General Assembly and state government, I can attest to Del. Albo as being one of the leading members of the General Assembly in protecting the welfare of children through the legislative process. I urge all voters in the 42nd District to visit the Crime Commission Web site at crimecommission.state.va.us to view an accurate explanation of this issue in the 2004 reports.
Kimberly J. Hamilton
Executive Director
Virginia State Crime Commission