|
PRINT
THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE
Thursday, September 25, 1997
Governor rejects race allegation in pardons
policy
AUSTIN (AP) -- Gov. George W. Bush said a Democratic lawmaker
is wrong to suggest that he considers race when determining whether
to grant pardons to convicted Texans.
"I don't make decisions based upon race. I have no idea
the race of the people I pardon. ... Whoever made that suggestion
doesn't know me or my heart and is wrong," the Republican
governor said Wednesday.
Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, on Tuesday called
for a legislative inquiry into the factors Bush uses in determining
pardons.
That came after the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that
Bush has issued only 14 pardons since taking office. Thirteen
of those pardons have gone to whites; one was granted for an Hispanic.
"Does this governor grant freedom to innocent Texans,
unless, of course, they are African-American," Mrs. McClendon
said in a one-page statement Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Mrs. McClendon said she doesn't know how many
people have applied for pardons nor how many black convicts have
been rejected for pardons.
She said she has no information to suggest that Bush is racially
motivated, but added, "The numbers speak for themselves.
They say 14 pardons have been granted and not one to an African-American."
Bush's office said the governor has considered more than 400
requests for pardons. None have been granted to people convicted
of violent or sexually related crimes.
Karen Hughes, Bush's spokeswoman, said the governor's office
doesn't break down the number of pardons requested nor rejected
by race.
Send a Letter to the Editor about This
Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story
to A Friend:
Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
Send
the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend:
|
