Presenter
Presented by Ms. Carlisle
Body
Whereas, Mr. Thomas Doswell was found innocent of the crimes for which he spent 19 years in prison and was released on August 1, 2005; and
Whereas, Mr. Thomas Doswell, who spent over 19 years repeatedly proclaiming his innocence, refusing to confess to a crime we now know he did not commit, persevered through this painful struggle; and
Whereas, Mr. Doswell deserves to be compensated for the over 19 years he was denied his freedom; and
Whereas, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no laws that compensate victims of wrongful imprisonment or expunge their records upon exoneration; and
Whereas, Mr. Doswell's faith in God and in himself, his perseverance in the face of unbeatable odds and his incredible grace should stand as an example to us all.
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh welcomes Tommy Doswell back home to Pittsburgh and wishes him the very best in the years to come and calls upon the state Legislature to enact the legislation currently in the House Judiciary Committee which will address this injustice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh declares Tuesday September 13, 2005 "Thomas Doswell Day"