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October 10, 2006Via Email
United States Senate
Select Committee on Ethics
Robert L. Walker, Staff Director & Chief Counsel
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 220
Second and Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20510-6425
Re: PROTECTIONS OF ALL CHILDREN - Does Politics &
The Good 'Ol Boy Networks Interfere With the
Protections of Children?
Dear Mr. Walker:
Based on the recent events relating to former Rep. Mark Foley, my letter of June 26, 2006 (posted at:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_debby_bo_060626__22request_for_immedia.htm and the letter response dated June 27, 2006 (shown below), now take on a whole new meaning. A new question for consideration by the U.S. Senate Committee on Ethics:
Has politics and the good 'ol boy networks interfered with the enforcement of mandated reporting laws, due process in a court of law and/or legislative decisions relating to the protections of children and those who protect them as mandated reporters? If so, immediate corrective action is urgently required.
As a Catholic wife, mother and supporter of clergy sex abuse victims and their families, there is no doubt that our society has failed to protect children from sexual predators in homes, churches, schools and government. Yes, we have failed to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Why?
The FOLEY SCANDAL reveals that elected government officials may have feared political retaliation for publicly reporting former Rep. Mark Foley's inappropriate conduct with minor children -- the Good 'Ol Boys protect one another. For this reason, mandated reporting laws were not strictly enforced and fear of retaliation resulted in failures to protect minor children.
The CLERGY SEX ABUSE CRISIS reveals that thousands of children were sexually abused by employees of religious institutions. Many mandated reporters, employed by religious institutions, have found themselves unemployed or retaliated against soon after reporting any type of misconduct, as mandated by law. Religious institutions protect from public scandal and potential monetary damages.
The facts are in -- children were placed in the care of sexual predators repeatedly, without protecting them from horrific crimes. Many mandated reporters found themselves unemployed soon after a violation of the law or sexual misconduct was made to law enforcement and/or an appropriate workplace supervisor.
As stated in your letter, U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics' only investigates allegations of improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate... in the performance of their duties as Members of the Senate or as officers or employees of the Senate."
If fear of political retaliation exists in the U.S. Senate each time a politically-charged topic or potential threat of public scandal, this is "improper conduct" and justifies an immediate investigation. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Debby & Mike Bodkin
http://www.catholics4justice.com
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June 27, 2006
FROM:
Select Committee on Ethics
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 220
Second and Constitution Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20510-6425
Telephone: (202) 224-2981
Facsimile: (202) 224-7416
Dear Ms. Bodkin:
The Select Committee on Ethics received your June 26, 2006 letter outlining your concerns with the Catholic clergy and the United States judicial system.
Senate Resolution 338, section 2(a)(1), which sets forth the jurisdiction of the Select Committee on Ethics, vests the Committee with the authority to "receive complaints and investigate allegations of improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate, violations of the rules and regulations of the Senate relating to the conduct of individuals in the performance of their duties as Members of the Senate or as officers or employees of the Senate, and to make appropriate findings of facts and conclusions with respect thereto ..."
The situation that you describe does not appear to involve allegations of misconduct by a Member, officer or employee of the United States Senate. Thus, the matter does not appear to be within the limited jurisdiction of the Select Committee on Ethics.
If in the future the Committee can be of assistance on a matter within its jurisdiction, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Walker
Staff Director and Chief Counsel
