Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 23, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Statement by Gov. Gary Locke on Supreme Court ruling in sexual predator case

"The State of Washington scored a great victory today for the safety of our communities and our children. The Supreme Court upheld a Kansas law modeled after Washington's law, allowing us to continue confining the most dangerous sexual predators in our state. Our law had previously been upheld by the state Supreme Court and we expected a favorable ruling.


"Even so, we worked very hard over the last few months to prepare for any ruling, including the most adverse possible rulings. I would like to thank the staff of the state departments of Social and Health Services and Corrections as well as local officials and law enforcement agencies for their hard work. Attorney General Christine Gregoire demonstrated skilled leadership on this issue. Our staffs worked closely and we're all relieved by the court's decision.


"The law has been working well for seven years and continues to offer our citizens the protection they deserve. I'm gratified the high court agreed and pleased that states can define who is abnormal and control them."

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