To the editor:

During the 2004 session, Kansas legislators voted to pass House Bill 256 and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed the bill into law. The bill amended the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Act to include Kansans who are victims of violent crime while in another country. (This does not include military personnel or military support civilians. They are already covered by insurance.)

Kansas Sen. David Jackson authored Senate Bill 256 and testified on its behalf. Frank Henderson, Jr., executive director of the Crime Victims Compensation Board, office of Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, testified in support of the bill.

When the House Judiciary Committee discussed the possibility of financially helping our family with funeral expenses through the passage of S.B. 256, we knew the committee members not only cared about what had happened to our daughter, Shannon Martin, but also wanted to further show their concern for our family’s three-year struggle for justice.

Until I was actively involved in the passage of this bill, I did not fully appreciate the effort and time commitment of our legislators. Kansas legislators dedicate many hours to researching and drafting legislation on our behalf. Supporters of the legislation testified favorably for the passage of the bill and also followed the bill through the entire legislative process.

The state of Kansas has been very supportive. If it were not for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the murder of Shannon would not have been solved. And, if it were not for Kansas legislators and the office of Phill Kline there would be no legislation in place to help victims and families victimized by violent crime in another country.

Jeanette C. Stauffer,

Eudora