Chris Pappas: “Mr. Chairman, New Jersey has been witness to the tragic results of a judicial system that failed to adequately protect…”

“Mr. Chairman, New Jersey has been witness to the tragic results of a judicial system that failed to adequately protect its citizens. The tragedies of Megan Kanka and Amanda Weingart are daily reminders that no community is safe from the scourge of sex offenders. Amanda Weingart was killed by a convicted juvenile sex offender who was her neighbor. She was left alone with this man because no one was aware of his juvenile sex offense record, a record that was kept private, part of a system that is more concerned about protecting criminals' rights than children's rights. The entire State of New Jersey was devastated by this murder and the tragic murder of Megan Kanka a few months later. I wholeheartedly support the gentlewoman from Washington [Ms. Dunn] and her continued leadership on tough crime legislation that cracks down on sex offenders. This amendment puts children first. Parents have the right to know how best to protect their children. We need to pass this amendment so that no family has to endure the tragedies that have been suffered by the Kankas and the Weingarts.”