One voice makes a difference, Georgia Crime Victim Restitutions Act of 2005 becomes law in July

GDO Report

He feels that individuals who have perpetrated crimes against children, such as molestation, should be forced to pay for their victim’s medical and counseling expenses. 

In his effort, he learned that California has had a law on the books for seven years requiring exactly that. 
After learning more, he felt it was time to bring this law home to Georgia.  He shared what he had learned with Georgia Senator Renee Unterman. 
He describes Senator Unterman as "a woman who has a heart for those who cannot protect themselves."

Within sixty days the senator had the proposed law and Mr. Dillard in front of the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee where it quickly and unanimously passed.
From there the bill went to the Senate Floor where it also passed 47-1.

Next in line was the Georgia House, where the law seemed to have gotten stuck near the end of 2004. John then began lobbying the office of Governor Sonny Purdue for help.
Not receiving a whole lot of response, John was afraid that his voice had fallen upon deaf ears.

Much to his surprise, at the beginning of the 2005 Legislative Session, Governor Purdue sponsored the Crime Victim Restitutions Act of 2005. 
This law sets up a procedure for notification and reimbursement of the victims' medical and counseling expenses. 
Eighty six percent of the legislature voted in favor of the bill and the Governor signed it on April 11th.  It will become law on July 1st of 2005.

John feels one voice did make a difference, but he feels the voice was not his own. 
He considers himself nothing more than a messenger and thanks God for all that was accomplished.