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We sit here today among scores of heroic figures who have braved fierce storms in their pursuit of justice. As Dr. King explained of the Good Samaritan, the individuals of whom I speak have not focused on fear. They have not focused on the question: “if I stop to help this individual, what will happen to me.” Rather, they have accepted the moral challenge. They have asked, “if I do not stop to help this individual, what will happen to him? The heroes of whom I speak have kept the torch of hope alive through the sheer ferocity of their love for others. They have the capacity to project the “I” into the “thou.” The life of our community has been made so much richer by these noble people who have placed conscience above convenience, who have placed compassion above callousness, and who have placed caring above complacency.

Where would we be today without the scores of committed death penalty lawyers who have labored so intensely to keep their clients alive–in body and in spirit—for this day to come? If only Dick Cunningham were here today to witness the fruits of his work on behalf of so many. For Dick, the practice of law was not simply a means to earn a living, but a way to satisfy his hunger for justice. When you hear your next lawyer joke, remind the cynics about who Dick Cunningham was, remoind them about what Chick Hoffman has done, remind them about how Anna Ahronheim has represented her clients, remind them about what Tom Geraghty has taught all of us, about the impact of Andrea Lyon’s advocacy, about how Barry Scheck has changed the world, about what Tom Breen has sacrificed to do the right thing, about the incredible dedication of Locke Bowman, about the intensity of Flint Taylor, about the passion of Mike Metnick, about the humanity of Jeff Urdangen, about the power of Terry Mascherin, about the generosity of Kimball Anderson, or the perseverance of Mark Ter Moelen. These are just a few examples of hundreds I could mention.

Where would be today without the passionate organizers and activists who have kept hope alive through the darkest days of despair. Through the auspices of the groups such as the Illinois Coalition, Amnesty International, Death Penalty Focus, and the Campaign they have made thousands of visits to death row, held countless vigils and forums, spoken in churches, coffee shops and universities. The work of Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation provides such an eloquent testament to the triumphant power of love as a tool of healing. Though members of all these groups they have literally been spit in the face, they have stood firm believing that someday, someone in power would begin to understand the enormity of the inequities that have plagued our criminal justice system. The work of Jane Bohman, Mike Farrell, Edwin Colfax, Jeanne & Jennifer Bishop, Jeanine Bell, Aviva Futorian and so many others brought us to this historic day. And it will continue to carry us on as we work to implement a vision of a better world and a more sane way of treating those who are accused of crimes, capital and otherwise.

Where would be today without the many journalists who have understood that the license provided by the first amendment carries with it immense opportunities, and hence immense responsibilities. The groundbreaking work of Eric Zorn, Steve Mills, Morry Possley, Ken Armstrong, Tom Frisbie, Muriel Claire and Dave Savini–to name just a few–has educated a country and the world about the depth of the gap that has developed between our rhetoric of justice and our implementation of that ideal. Of course, it was my friend and colleague Rob Warden whose journalistic efforts in the 1980s first cast light on this crisis, and whose relentless demand for truth continues to drive him and inspire us. And it was David Protess whose vision of what journalists can accomplish brought to light some of the most stunning among the 17 Illinois death penalty exonerations.

Where would be today without the family members and friends of the condemned, who have stood by their sons and daughters, fathers and mother, brothers and sisters, and friends. In many cases they have championed the search for truth that has led to ultimate exoneration. In other cases, of course, there should be and there will be no such exoneration, but these family members and loved ones of the condemned have insisted that we remember that no matter how despicable a murder, their loves ones are still children of God. They force us to recognize that if the State is ever entitled to extinguish a human spark that was created in God’s image, it can only be after proceedings which are a model of fairness and accuracy.

Of course, many of the condemned and once-condemned themselves have stood with honor and integrity reminding us that some of them were wrongly convicted, many more of them were unfairly sentenced, and every last one of them is, to quote Sister Helen Prejean, more than just the worst act they have ever committed.

Where would we be today without the unprecedented efforts of the Governor’s advisers, including Deputy Governor Matt Bettenhausen, media spokesperson Dennis Culloton, Rick Guzman, Jean Templeton and others. Many of us have worked with these individuals over the past three years and we have been inspired by them and their passion for public service and the power of government to work for the common good. In particular, please let me personally acknowledge Matt Bettenhausen. Matt is a prosecutor who understands that the measure of a prosecutor’s success is not the number of guilty verdict he obtains, much less the number of death sentences he secures. Rather, a prosecutor succeeds only when true justice is accomplished and when the truth has been given a fair shot at emerging. Godspeed to you Matt, to you Dennis, and to you Rick and Jean as you embark upon the next leg of your quests for leaving the world better than you found it.

The fact is, though, that despite all of the passion, energy, and brilliance of those who have gathered here today, the truths about the fissures in our criminal justice system would still be buried were it not for the unparalleled willingness of Governor George Ryan to open his mind and his heart to challenge some orthodoxies that few in power have been willing to question. This is one of the critical lessons of George Ryan’s voyage. Before he could ever impose a moratorium, before he could ever appoint a Commission, before he could ever issue any pardons or commutations, he first had to be willing to open his soul to the possibility that his lifelong assumptions about this subject were inaccurate. How many among us are that brave to actually listen to the other side of a debate and to accept the possibility that our settled views are mistaken?

This lesson about listening is especially critical at this moment. Despite the relief and satisfaction many of us will feel in the days that come, we must keep in mind the intensity of pain and loss that so many victims families have endured. The events of the moment are not easy ones for them, and we should all acknowledge that a series of great tragedies brought us here. These families deserved so much better that what the system gave them in the past. Let us now through the dignity of our actions make it clear that then tent of love is a large one, and let us commit to work together–defense lawyer and prosecutor, victims family and defendants’ family— to reform the broken system and to work towards reconciliation. Let us learn from our Governor how to listen with open hearts and minds, even as we may be confronted with understandable hostility. Their pain is real and must be respected.

Listening and learning was only the first step for Governor Ryan. He then had the fortitude to act on what he learned. Risking great political backlash and scorn, he placed principle over politics and acted on his convictions. Obviously, not everyone agrees with the views and beliefs Governor Ryan has developed on the issue of capital punishment. But even to those who disagree vehemently, the model of courage and leadership that Governor Ryan has exemplified teaches lessons that go well beyond the death penalty debate. They are lessons about life and about courage.

Governor Ryan could easily have passed the buck. Instead, he recognized that the Constitution of this States vests in each branch of government the solemn duty of providing a check on the other branches. The pardon power is an essential part of separation of powers, and any Governor who refuses to recognize that is unfaithful to his constitutional oath. George Ryan has not taken the easy way out. Instead, he has acted a true “leader.”

We call our politicians, “political leaders,” but how often do we find one who actually dares to lead. Leading means bringing people to a place they have not yet arrived on their own. Leading does not mean following. Leading does not mean sticking up your finger to see where the wind is blowing, or what the poll numbers show. Governor Ryan has taught us what leading looks like.

As I listened to the Governor yesterday, I kept thinking about the phrase “speak truth to power.” And I realized that for so many decades, power has been speaking power to truth in this area. Truth did not matter so long as Jon Burge had the power. Governor Ryan is reversing that paradigm. In the name of truth, he is confronting the powerful. In the name of justice, he is challenging the system. In the name of reform, he is exposing the vices of the status quo.

This is greatness. I had the deep honor of speaking with Nelson Mandela this morning who asked me to make sure that we all understand the depths of character and generosity of spirit that define George Ryan. Governor, you have taught the world so much about the death penalty. Even more critically you have taught us all what Albert Schweitzer once wrote: “the first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings.”

May we all learn the lessons of your magnificent courage and compassion. May you be blessed with the peace of mind and soundness of body to continue your fight against injustice in new settings, and may you and your family be granted the inner peace that comes from knowing you have answered the call to greatness.

My friends, it honors and humbles me beyond words to present to you the Governor of Illinois, George H. Ryan.

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