If the reports are true, Illinois Governor George Ryan has issued a blanket clemency to all inmates on death row in this state. He has been under fire for a drivers license selling scandal when he was the Secy. Of State of Illinois. After he became governor, it became obvious, with the advent of DNA testing, that many people on death row were innocent. They were subsequently released. As time passed, it became clear that many others may have been innocent as well---or at least their sentences to die could be questioned. Tonight the whole system allowing the state to continue the killing of convicts is being questioned.

This was, I feel, quite a stunning and brave act ----one which is only rivaled in state history by Governor Altgeld's amazing early 20th century pardoning of the remaining men convicted following the Haymarket Riot and bombing in Chicago's Haymarket Square during the labor fights for the 8-hour day.

I, for one, am quite proud to be a resident of the State Of Illinois tonight !!

Art Thieme