I would first of all like to say that I have a great deal of admiration
and respect for those who worked so tirelessly toward getting HB 335
passed. Thank God for people like you!

  Florida HB 335 would have allowed parents to have a criminal background
check run on volunteers who work with their children. This would have been
done at the parents' expense, incidentally.

  This bill would have been a giant leap forward toward protecting
children from molestors who use children's organizations as a "hunting
ground" for new victims. It would have put the state of Florida on the map
as a state truly concerned for the welfare of its children. It would have
been an inspiration and guidepost for other states to follow. It would have
prevented one more child from suffering a lifetime of trauma, confusion,
lost hopes and dreams, years wasted on self-doubt and self-hatred.

  It WOULD have been and done all of these things. Unfortunately, the game
of politics being what it is, Florida's kids may well be in greater danger
than ever, for at least another year. It seems that the state of Florida
is more interested in a few special interest groups than it is in trying to
keep its kids safe.

  There isn't any point in turning this into a rambling monologue, there's
nothing left to say.

  However, out of my own curiosity, I'll be very interested in the
membership numbers of the Boy Scouts in the next year. Considering the
fact that they were instrumental in defeating this bill, I personally
wouldn't want any kid I know involved with them!

     Stephen Stocker
     April 19, 1997

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