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The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com Weekend of February 22-23, 2020 BONHAM ‘Ezra’s Law’ draws support Opposition is not denying problem Continued from page A1 You can have attempted murder where the person ul- timately had minor wounds, healed very quickly and returned to their life. That victim is treated the same as this victim, who has lost all potential quality of life. The bill ultimately specifies what that is. Quality of life is loss of significant cognitive function, permanent loss of hearing or vision or loss of limb or mobility. If it fits that criteria it must be a willful intent. It can’t be an accident.” House Bill 1530, as ex- plained by the 59th district representative, is a tax policy “disguised as environmental policy.” It’s a mechanism for the government to cap carbon emissions, charge for those emissions, and then take that money and do other things with it, Bonham said. Bonham predicts if the bill is passed, companies and industries that can’t afford the tax will move out of the state and leave an unfulfilled demand for products and services. “The manufacturing facility that’s producing concrete is going to shut down in Oregon, but the demand for concrete didn’t go away, so somebody else is going to make concrete,” Bonham A3 Bonham addresses constituents in The Dalles during a town hall meeting last year. Mark B. Gibson photo/file said. “They’re going to make it in Texas or they’re going to make it in China. You now have areas where they manufacture the same prod- uct without the regulatory environment that we’ll have, but now you have to ship it here. So, in the manufac- turing process, it’s creating more greenhouse gas, and the shipping process adds to that. So, what we’re doing here in Oregon is creating something that makes us feel good even though the global impact is actually a net nega- tive, which is hard because there’s so many people that are passionate about this and I think most Oregonians want to do something posi- tive with respect to environ- ment and climate.” Although Bonham is not supportive of the bill, he said that doesn’t mean he’s against improving the environment. He’d rather find a better solution where industries and companies stay in Oregon, he said. people that had really bad GPAs.” Her grandma was always ‘Anybody can one for urging her to soldier do anything’ on. “She’s definitely a strong Continued from page A1 believer in hard work and if you get knocked down, get up and try a little harder next time.” a time and was active with “She taught me a ton about the Oregon State University work ethic and being tough. Extension program. Jenny said the scholarship She didn’t cry and get over- doesn’t have a GPA require- whelmed with emotion.” She learned that her ment. “My grandma was definitely all for ‘anybody can grandma put on a strong face do anything’ so she certainly for people. Jenny recounted how Marlys once told her, wouldn’t want to have any- body excluded as far as grade “’I would just cry when I got home.’ I never knew that requirements.” about her.” And Jenny concurs. “In “She was kind, giving and all fairness, you never know. generous,” Jenny said. I know a lot of successful So it was no surprise that after Marlys passed, local social media pages filled with tributes to her. Some recounted receiving holiday cookies from her. Marlys loved to bake and she loved Christmas. Her home was always decorated seasonally, but especially for Christmas. One social media poster recounted, “One year a long time ago, when she worked in the JC Penney’s shoe depart- ment, knowing I didn’t have much money, she bought my kids shoes. I never forgot and passed it on. Sweet lady.” Jenny thought it was ironic that her grandma, who didn’t even own a cell phone and SCHOLARSHIP Salem—A packed hearing room of supporters braved long drives and challenging road conditions to join Rep. Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles), Jefferson County District Attorney Steven LeRiche, Marion County District Attorney Katie Suver and Tina Jorgenson in Salem Monday for the introduction of Ezra’s Law. HB 4122, called “Ezra’s Law,” would enable prosecutors to pursue stricter sentencing for crimi- nals who assault and incapacitate victims in ways which decrease their long-term quality of life. Together they offered unwavering support for the legislation on the grounds that current sentencing procedures are not suitably severe for offenders who rob youths of their long-term health. Jorgensen, the grandmother of Ezra Jerome Thomas, the name sake of HB 4122, testified. “I was going to be able to cherish graduations, proms and even look forward to him getting married and building a family of his own someday,” said Jorgensen. “He had a whole life ahead of him. I had a life of grandma moments to share with him. Sadly, my hopes and dreams for Ezra’s future were taken away on Nov. 19, 2017. Before that date, I lived a normal life. Every ounce of joy was taken from me that day.” Ezra is a 4-year-old boy in Jefferson County who on was attacked when he was just two years old by Josue Jair Mendoza-Melo. Today, Ezra requires care 24/7 and can do next to nothing on his own. He has tracheal and feeding tubes and a programmable shunt to keep fluid from build- ing up in his brain. He’s legally blind and has between one to three seizures per hour. “The frustration of difficult conversations with victims created the birth of Ezra’s Law,” said District Attorney LeRiche. “This law will serve to protect those who cannot protect themselves and as a deterrent against assaulting the innocence of youth.” Mendoza-Melo was sentenced to 12 years for his crime. Bonham said, “Nobody in this building can change the past. No one can understand the grief that comes from a judicial system that is unable to provide closure. We’re here today so that fu- ture victims get the justice that they deserve. Ezra, Jessica, Little Roy and countless other victims are having their voices heard today.” “While I am disappointed that the legislature couldn’t take swift action in moving Ezra‘s law during a short session, I’m optimistic to see all of the momentum that is building behind this cause. Giving an opportunity for the voices to be heard and creating a work group for all the stakeholders to be at the table working will create a policy that we can all be proud of,” testified Bonham. Ezra’s Law highlights a loophole in the law where sentencing in cases involving severe quality of life loss aren’t proportional to the sentencing options. HB 4122 establishes a procedure for charging aggravated versions of certain assault and attempted murder offenses when a defen- dant causes permanent physical injury to a victim during commission of crime. If the defendant is convicted of aggravated offense, the court shall sentence defendant to 25 years in prison. “It’s easy to get caught up in the sadness of the past, but to see the joy on the faces of victim and their families, they were finally given a ‘day in court’ and an opportunity for real justice; it’s truly one of the highlights of my session,” Bonham said. Bonham represents House District 59, which encompasses the Central Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge communities of Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Culver, Fossil, Madras, Maupin, Metolius, Mitchell, Mosier, Sisters and The Dalles, as well as unincorporated areas of Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Wheeler counties. certainly wasn’t on social media, was celebrated on it upon her passing. “She would’ve gotten a kick out of it.” She recounted how Marlys got a star for her 2011 chamber award, “she had it on her door, it was a stick-on. She didn’t do it for the need of recognition, but you could tell later on she was really proud of that star.” Marlys always volunteered at the blood drive held the day after Thanksgiving. This past year, in her honor, Jenny and her family also ANSWER THE DALLES CHRONICLE (ISSN 0747-3443) is published twice weekly, every Wednesday and Saturday. Subscription rates: One year print subscription and digital access $55. 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