To the editor:

After languishing nearly 30 years on Louisiana’s death row, Glenn Ford was released from prison last Tuesday when DNA evidence proved his innocence. This is a stark reminder of the continued imprisonment and execution innocent individuals across the nation.

We are proud to state that our congregation recently voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to support Kansas Senate bill 126 to abolish the death penalty in Kansas. In this action we have joined with other religious organizations of diverse faiths in seeking to end the death penalty. Many of us also joined with our minister and other like-minded clergy and laity in advocating for the bill during the Senate hearing in Topeka.

Although the bill is not being actively “worked” in the Senate at present, we urge all like-minded people to contact their legislators to enact passage. As religious people we reject the notion of a death penalty that claims so many innocent victims. As taxpayers, we object to the excessive costs resulting from death penalty trials and appeals. Compassion and common sense call for abolishing the death penalty in Kansas,